Andre Villas-Boas' presence on the touchline against Chelsea this weekend is in danger of overshadowing a Premier League game that has the potential to be the best we have seen so far this season.
The Portuguese, hung out to dry by Stamford Bridge bosses only months into his three-year contract, has begun promisingly on the path to redemption with Spurs.
ome tricky early results have been overcome and a new-look Tottenham side are beginning to show the kind of form, and steely determination, which could see them become title challengers in the next year or two.
It is nine unbeaten in all competitions now, and among those results have been the impressive 3-2 win against Man United at Old Trafford, the hard-fought victory over Aston Villa and the dominating display against Reading, which was Villas-Boas' first win.
These are heady days for the White Hart Lane faithful as they prepare for a new era, but the visit of league leaders Chelsea presents a whole new challenge and the toughest test of their mettle so far.
Currently four points clear of second-placed Man City, Roberto Di Matteo is another young manager pulling up trees.
Villas-Boas' replacement, and former right-hand man, has revamped his team's whole mentality since claiming a first Champions League triumph in Chelsea's history last May.
The introduction of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Victor Moses was not expected to work so well, so soon. But add Juan Mata to the mix and you have an attacking line-up which could rival the world's best in years to come.
Chelsea have seen off the challenge of Arsenal in the league already, winning 2-1, but wilted when put under the spotlight by sterner opposition, Juventus pegged back a two-goal deficit in the Champions League, and Atletico Madrid fired four past Petr Cech in a UEFA Super Cup masterclass.
Tottenham will present another tough test for Di Matteo's young side and, with both sets of players capable of scoring the goals to win the game, it has the prospect of being a classic London derby.
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