Paulinho’s perfect timing lifts Spurs

Cardiff City 0 Tottenham 1

After 92-and-a-half minutes of thumping on the Cardiff door, the gifted Brazilian popped up in the nick of time to convert Erik Lamela’s cross. Cue the party and cue the feeling that Spurs, even post Gareth Bale, appear well equipped to not only challenge for a place in next season’s Champions League, but to compete for the Premier League title too.

There will, of course, be far stiffer examinations than this.