TOTTENHAM

The season in one word: Conte (above).

Star of the show: Heung-min Son. Harry Kane had his moments but Son was Spurs’ most consistent and most important player. He scored five more goals than Mohamed Salah from open play, but had to share the Golden Boot.

Biggest letdown: Nuno Espirito Santo. Expectations were low but the football under the Portuguese was particularly grim, even if their points tally was actually okay.

Most improved player: Take your pick! Conte improved more or less every player, but Matt Doherty’s transformation into a dynamic wing-back was especially striking before injury curtailed his season.

Game to remember: Tottenham 3 Arsenal 0 (May 12, 2021). The home win over Arsenal was the best atmosphere at the new stadium and the result shifted the momentum to Spurs in the top-four battle.

Game to forget: Arsenal 3

Tottenham 1 (Sept 26, 2021). By contrast, the away defeat at Arsenal was perhaps the low point of the season as Nuno’s Spurs were blown away in the first half in a tactical disasterclass.

Rising star: Dejan Kulusevski. It is remarkable to think the Swede is just 22, a month older than Young Player of the Year Phil Foden. He has five goals and eight assists in 14 League starts since January and his arrival is one of the biggest factors in Spurs returning to the Champions League.

Manager verdict: Conte’s appointment had a transformative effect on the club and he has underlined his status as one of the world’s top coaches by leading the side to fourth in difficult circumstances.

Fans’ mood: Optimistic. Provided Conte agrees to stay on, there is a sense that Spurs are a club on the up again and growing excitement about what might be possible under the Italian.

Grade: A