Tottenham Advance on the Leaders

With most of the other contenders finding banana skins in their pursuit of the Premiership's summit, Tottenham is still hanging tough.

In fact, Spurs have made it to the second rung.

They did so at the expense of recently promoted Middlesborough, when a 1-0 victory produced the usual trois points and a clear view of Chelsea.

It's still quite a view, though.

A three-game gap. Tall order.

Pegged as the Premiership's dark horse, Tottenham seems to thrive in such situations.

The only goal of the game came in a most expected manner. A penalty.

Who would have thought that?

Dude's not known as Spot-on Harry Kane for nothing.

Spurs have only two more Premiership matches this month -- at Anfield for snakebit Liverpool and home to Stoke -- with an FA Cup fifth-round tilt against Fulham pushing another point-bearing pairing into the late season.

That could well call Tottenham's depth into question. And, frankly, that's a challenging one for them.