Animals. That's what Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores described Tottenham Hotspur as after they lost 1-0 at White Hart Lane this month.

Tottenham are fighting for their first title since 1961 and are going about it is by hounding, harassing and hurrying their opponents until they're beat, knowing they're fit enough to do it.

Mauricio Pochettino is understood to put his players through at least one double session per week at their Hotspur Lane training centre in Enfield and rarely allows them days off. His rigorous regime has worked a charm, however, resulting in him having one of the fittest teams in the Premier League.

Christian Eriksen (left) celebrates scoring Tottenham's winning goal against Manchester City on February 14

Mauricio Pochettino has significantly improved Tottenham's fitness levels since his arrival in May 2014

Pochettino is understood to put his players through at least one double training session per week

Pochettino was appointed at White Hart Lane on May 27, 2014 – the week after Louis van Gaal at Manchester United – and there's no question which manager is title-winning material.

Alongside his assistant Jesus Perez and fitness coach Nathan Gardner, Pochettino has built a side that press and persist in winning back possession week in, week out.

It shows in the statistics, too, given only Bournemouth (1,902) have covered more miles this season than Tottenham (1,866).

There were fears they could run themselves into the ground but, with the youngest average starting XI in the Premier League at 24 years and 303 days, they show no signs of stopping.

Mousa Dembele (left) and Kyle Walker close down Yaya Toure during Tottenham's 2-1 win at Manchester City

MOST DISTANCE COVERED BY PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS THIS TERM Bournemouth - 3060.6km Tottenham - 3003.8km West Brom - 2917.5km Liverpool - 2910.2km Manchester United - 2903.0km West Ham - 2881.9km Leicester - 2874.3km Arsenal - 2871.5km Southampton - 2863.6km Crystal Palace - 2860.6km Advertisement

MOST AVERAGE MATCHDAY DISTANCE COVERED THIS TERM Bournemouth - 117.7km Tottenham - 115.5km West Brom - 112.2km Liverpool - 111.9km Manchester United - 111.7km West Ham - 110.8km Leicester - 110.6km Arsenal - 110.4km Southampton - 110.1km Crystal Palace - 110.0km Advertisement

Determination and hard work is their mantra and we saw exactly that at the Etihad Stadium last week.

Tottenham were all over Manchester City, allowing them no time on the ball as they ran almost six miles more than the home side.

'We mentioned at half-time how much they run for each other and how much they fight for each other,' Thierry Henry said in the Sky Sports studio afterwards.

'They want to win the league and you can see it.'

Tottenham ran 75 miles at the Etihad and average 72 per game – the second most in the Premier League. Manchester City, meanwhile, don't even make the top 10.

Tottenham playmaker Eriksen ran 7.8 miles in their win at City - more than any other player from both sides

Eriksen's team-mate Eric Dier (right) covered the second-most distance during that encounter with 7.3 miles

Christian Eriksen ran the furthest (7.8 miles) last week and was followed by Eric Dier (7.3). David Silva and Fernandinho (both 7) were as close as City got.

It isn't about counter-attacking like Leicester; it's about winning the ball back when they don't have it.

And don't underestimate Eric Dier's role in this either, with the central midfielder told to drop into the back four when necessary to allow the full-backs to attack the flanks.

It's not only effective; it's attractive too.

FURTHEST DISTANCES COVERED BY PLAYERS THIS SEASON Dan Gosling (Bournemouth) - 13.87km Dan Gosling (Bournemouth) - 13.82km Dan Gosling (Bournemouth) - 13.76km Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth) - 13.73km Dan Gosling (Bournemouth) - 13.65km Dele Alli (Tottenham) - 13.40km Eunan O'Kane (Bournemouth) - 13.39km Dan Gosling (Bournemouth) - 13.34km Dele Alli (Tottenham) - 13.32km James Milner (Liverpool) - 13.32km Advertisement

OVERALL DISTANCES COVERED BY PLAYERS IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE Andrew Surman (Bournemouth) - 314.51km Gareth Barry (Everton) - 310.13km Craig Dawson (West Brom) - 289.68km Etienne Capoue (Watford) - 287.47km Mark Noble (West Ham) - 282.74km Darren Fletcher (West Brom) - 282.49km Yann M'Vila (Sunderland) - 279.69km Ross Barkley (Everton) - 278.14km Harry Kane (Tottenham) - 277.65km Matt Ritchie (Bournemouth) - 274.04km Advertisement

Tottenham have dominated possession in every game they have played since the turn of the year – that's 10 fixtures and counting – and Pochettino's players have got the message.

None more so than Harry Kane and Dele Alli.

Kane has ran the ninth furthest distance this season (173 miles) while Alli features twice in the top 10 covered in 90 minutes (both times 8.3).

Closing down has not just helped them up front but at the back too, as they restrict other sides' chances of scoring.

Harry Kane (left) and Dele Alli are two examples of Pochettino's desire for his players to work hard off the ball

Tottenham have allowed the fewest shots on target (79) this season and conceded just 20 goals in 26 games, giving them the best defence in the Premier League.

'It would be the best managerial performance in Premier League history if Tottenham go on and win the league,' Sportsmail columnist Jamie Redknapp said on Sky Sports this week.

It would be up there, without doubt, and you wouldn't bet against Pochettino bringing that title to Tottenham this season.