The Real Reason De Zerbi's Tottenham Are Winning

Why are Tottenham suddenly winning under Roberto De Zerbi? It isn't the attack. In their last three Premier League games, Spurs haven't conceded a single clear chance, and no other team in the league can say that.

Wins over Coventry (3-1), Chelsea (2-0 at Stamford Bridge) and Crystal Palace (2-0) have turned Tottenham's season around after no wins in the first six games. Seven goals scored, one conceded. But three of those goals came from corners and four from shots around the edge of the box. So where are the clear chances, and what has De Zerbi actually changed?

Using data from Gradient Sports, a football analysis company, and annotated stills of all seven goals, I break down:

• What changed in the side: Mateus Fernandes moving from the 10 to play next to Sandro Tonali, with Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel out wide

• The Tottenham defence: shots conceded halved from 13.5 a game to 7, the fewest in the Premier League

• Control: Spurs top of the league for shots and possessions in the final third, plus the 759-pass Premier League record against Palace, with Jan Paul van Hecke completing 143

• How the goals have come: Archie Gray and van Hecke from corners, then James Maddison, Omar Marmoush, Tel and Ben Davies from the edge of the box
• The one number that hasn't moved: only about 1 in 15 Spurs shots is a clear chance, 19th in the league

• Marmoush's false nine role at Chelsea, and who's left in the box when he drops in
• What to watch at Leeds United on Saturday

Do you think the clear chances are coming, or is this as good as it gets? Let me know in the comments.

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