Tottenham’s 53-year record could soon be coming to an end

With Roma chasing their 11th successive league victory, a long-held record by Spurs could soon be beaten.

Tottenham Hotspur’s 1960-61 season is remembered by most fans as the campaign in which they became the first side to win the League and Cup double in the 20th century.

That they did so using only 17 players is astounding, as we now live in an era when squad rotation and strength in depth are seemingly necessities for any possible success.

But another fact that gets slightly less fanfare is that Spurs won their first 11 league matches that season – a record that stands to this day in the top five European leagues.

Under the late Bill Nicholson, Tottenham’s 100% record extended until the 12th game of the campaign, when they drew with Manchester City. And while they would ultimately lose seven league matches that season, their 31 victories cemented a league title and also propelled them to cup success and a place in history.

But while their English record will last for a while longer yet, Roma could become the first team in Europe’s top five leagues to beat it. Although first they have to match it, which they will do should they beat Torino on Sunday evening.

A victory for Rudi Garcia’s men will mean they have taken 33 points from a possible 33, extending their Serie A record and matching Tottenham’s.

Another win next Sunday against second-bottom Sassuolo and Spurs’ record will be beaten.

And yet you sense as disappointed as fans may be to lose that record, they are in the midst of a Tottenham revival that could one day see them challenging in the way their 60s counterparts did so successfully.

And maybe then, the likes of Christian Eriksen and Andros Townsend could set a new record or two of their own