Jose Mourinho moved swiftly to ease fears but the sight of Harry Kane icing a knee ahead of a derby at Arsenal was a reminder of how the hopes and ambitions of one club appear to hang so heavily on the fitness of one man.
Anything seems possible when Kane is rattling in the goals. Spurs have a more pleasing rhythm and patience. Confidence spreads. In his absence, a mild form of terror grips.
On the eve of Sunday’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace, Kane was ruled out. He was not in Mourinho’s team until he passed a late test, just hours before kick-off.