While Tottenham Hotspur were tipped to make a run at the top four this season, few anticipated that the club would be in contention for the Premier League title.
The North London outfit were eager to earn a Champions League place after finishing fifth last season, but were expected to face stiff competition from the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal.
Instead, Spurs are third in the table and in range of the league leaders. With half a campaign still to go, Sports Mole takes a look at Tottenham's season so far.
August
Rather than starting their season on schedule, Harry Redknapp's side had to sit out the opening day of Premier League action under police advice as a result of the London riots.
Spurs instead began their season by scoring five goals against Scottish club Hearts on the road in the Europa League in midweek to progress to the next round.
Meanwhile, in the Premier League, Tottenham conceded eight goals in two weeks to both Manchester clubs, with Roberto Mancini's side's 5-1 win at White Hart Lane making the most headlines.
September
Following their erratic start, Spurs began to turn things around in the second month of the season.
The club collected wins on the road against Premier League outfits Wigan and Wolves, but struggled to break the deadlock against Greek side PAOK Salonika in the Europa League and Stoke in the Carling Cup.
The club was also able to pick up an important home win, beating nine-man Liverpool 4-0 after both Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel were dismissed.
October
October set Redknapp up to extend his side's winning streak at White Hart Lane. Victories over local rivals Arsenal, Russian outfit Rubin Kazan and Queens Park Rangers took the streak to five.
On which note, Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart scored five goals for Tottenham in October, two of which were scored at home, three of which were on the road and four of which were decisive, taking his season total to seven.
November
Tottenham were all but eliminated from the Europa League in November after losing both at Rubin and to Salonika.
To survive, the club – who would need Solonika to beat Rubin – would have to overcome a five-goal deficit that separated them from the Russians in their December showdown with Shamrock Rovers.
Meanwhile, victories at Fulham and West Brom and at home against Aston Villa were pushing Spurs up the league table.
December
A four-goal win over Shamrock Rovers was all that Spurs fans could ask for as a tie between Rubin and Salonika was enough to eliminate the club from European competition.
However, wins over Bolton, Sunderland and at Norwich, as well as a 1-1 draw against Chelsea, kept Redknapp's side in the domestic hunt, despite a controversial loss – and first in the league since August – at the Britannia Stadium.
With their first game of the season still in hand, Tottenham are seven points behind both Manchester clubs in third place.
