Tottenham 'superstars' made Chelsea and Arsenal look ordinary this season, says Gary Mabbutt

A cut above: Tottenham outplayed Arsenal in the final derby at White Hart Lane
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Tom Dutton3 May 2017

Former Tottenham captain Gary Mabbutt believes a new generation of Spurs "heroes" has stepped forward this season.

Mabbutt won the FA Cup and Uefa Cup during a 16-year spell at White Hart Lane from 1982 and has tipped Mauricio Pochettino's side to end Tottenham's wait for a major title.

The club last celebrated silverware success in the 2008 League Cup - one of only two trophies won since Mabbutt and team-mates lifted the FA Cup in 1991.

But Spurs have gone close under Pochettino, reaching the 2015 League Cup final, twice pushing for the Premier League title, and progressing to the FA Cup's final four this season.

“They are all new heroes,” Mabbutt told the Mirror. “You will always have the Nicholsons, the Blanchflowers, the Mackays, Hoddles and the Linekers. The Gascoignes and the Perrymans. But every era moves on very quickly. The game is like that.

"Now this whole team is a team of superstars.

"This group of players has the potential to win things — to do even better.

"Pochettino has given them belief and over the season they have gained momentum.”

Tottenham kept the heat on title rivals Chelsea with a convincing victory over Arsenal in the final north London derby at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Spurs have also secured impressive home wins against Manchester City and Chelsea this season and are four points behind the leaders in the race for the Premier League crown with four games remaining.

In Pictures | Tottenham vs Arsenal | White Hart Lane's final derby

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“We’ve made Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal look ordinary at times this season," added Mabbutt.

Tottenham have all-but secured Champions League football for a second straight season, while stars Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Kyle Walker and Danny Rose were named in the PFA Team of the Year.

Alli also won the Young Player of the Year award for a second straight season and Kane remains in the race to win the Golden Boot award he clinched last term.

The prizes are recognition for Tottenham's impressive rise under Pochettino, and Mabbutt puts the side's success down to team ethic.

The 55-year-old said: “The vital thing is that our players connect as a group and this group of players want to win things. Not just as individuals. You see with other teams but not with Tottenham."

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