Few expected Spurs to even challenge for a top-four finish after last term’s dismal slump, and even their most optimistic supporters would probably have settled for sixth place and an exciting cup run, as long as it meant a return to attacking football.

The absence of pressure on his young, new-look side has surely been a factor in Postecoglou’s record-breaking start in the Premier League, and unbeaten Spurs can move five points clear at the top of the table with a win over Crystal Palace tonight.

Already, though, Tottenham’s remarkable start under the Australian has raised expectations – prompting talk of a title tilt, even whispers of a Leicester-esque season and ultimately increasing the stakes for the visit to Selhurst Park.

It is one thing to win when the pressure is off, but quite another when you are widely expected to open up a gap at the top of the table.

Previous Spurs sides made an unwelcome habit of buckling under the weight of expectation – and squandered opportunities were a theme of last season.

The best example was the 3-3 draw at basement-club Southampton in Antonio Conte’s final game in charge, when Spurs threw away a two-goal lead with 13 minutes to play and missed the chance to open up a four-point gap to fifth place.

Conte torched his players afterwards in a now-infamous rant, pointedly saying they did not like playing under pressure.

Tonight’s game in south London is therefore a new kind of test for Postecoglou’s young side; can they prove that this Spurs team is built differently and lay down a marker for the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal?