A week into December, less than two months ago, Jose Mourinho seemed to have his Tottenham side exactly where he wanted them.
Spurs had just beaten Arsenal 2-0 to move to the top of the table, coming off the back of a home win over Manchester City by the same scoreline and a goalless draw away at an in-form Chelsea side.
Things can change very quickly in football, particularly this season. Tottenham have won just two of their eight league matches since that north London derby triumph.
That run of form leaves them sixth in the table and eight points off Pep Guardiola's City side, who have gone the other way in terms of results since their defeat by Spurs.