"This sends a message to other teams. We can beat anyone," Tottenham defender Djed Spence said.
If last season's message was that Tottenham could lose to any opponent, now it seems they have reversed the scenario. Some even say that any version of Spurs can beat Manchester City.
Although Man City's dominance era is fading, they have been continuously defeated by Spurs, under Mauricio Pochettino, Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte, Ange Postecoglou, Thomas Frank and even Cristian Stellini. Tottenham, in a way, can be chaotic, but can also sublimate at the right time.
Tottenham's brilliant performance against former Premier League champions was an affirmation. Spurs not only won, but also the way they won.
Last season, the gap between the two teams was 14 places in the rankings. Now, the 17th place team has defeated the 3rd place team. Spence even confidently aims to be in the top 4: "Why not, if we can maintain the performance from week to week."
That scenario may sound bold, but history does not support them. In the past two decades, only David Moyes' Everton have risen from 17th to the top 4 in the following season. Leicester caused even more shock when they went from 14th place to the championship.
Tottenham may have added to the chaos of the Premier League. Their decline last season, along with Manchester United falling straight to 15th place, disrupted the familiar order of the tournament.
If both teams return to their original positions, it could be an inevitable reaction after an unbelievablely unstable season. At that time, people will feel like "old order" has been restored.
The summer transfer window seems to be a sign that the balance of power is returning to the familiar giants. Newcastle has been out of steam in big deals that Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United easily finalized. Tottenham also let Arsenal show their hand on Eberechi Eze.
Man United and Spurs recruited Bryan Mbeumo and Mohammed Kudus - stars from teams that were above them. Even on the coaching bench, Spurs had to bring in Thomas Frank from a club ranked higher than them.
If Frank can elevate Brentford and immediately shoulder the mission of reviving Tottenham, it will be a miracle. But football rarely operates in that linear way.
Teams rarely improve their scores by 30 points in just one season. The losers cannot naturally become winners, at least in the short term.
A few years ago, during a period of sublimation with 8 wins and 2 draws after 10 opening rounds under Postecoglou, Tottenham fans once shouted proudly.
However, this season, in the final minutes at the Etihad, the atmosphere was divided. One group of fans called for Chairman Daniel Levy to resign, while the other group believed Tottenham were capable of competing for the top spot.
Just a few hours later, that belief was quickly tested. Frank's assessment of Tottenham, if any, could only have been made when his tenure ended. Because recent history has left a mark. Postecoglou's Spurs had a brilliant start, but then ran out of steam at the end of the season and lost stability right in the middle of the race.
However, initial signals show a new spirit is slowly being aroused at Tottenham.
Perhaps Tottenham's biggest paradox under Frank is: to bring the club back to its original position, he is building a team that goes against the " Spurs identity".
Previously, "The Rooster" was known for its more practical tradition and richer calculation. If the team can rise from 17th to the top 4, it will be a testament to the growing unpredictability of the Premier League.
But it is this journey that could cost Tottenham the unpredictability that is their familiar mark. What happens if Spurs become predictable?
