Toby Alderweireld still believes Tottenham can chase down leaders Leicester after achieving a similar feat when playing for Ajax.

Tottenham are seven points behind Claudio Ranieri’s side and may need to win all five of their remaining games to have a chance of beating them to the Premier League title.

Alderweireld knows what it is to catch and overtake front-runners, having done so during his time in Dutch football, and he has not given up hope of repeating the trick with Tottenham.

“I’ve been in this position three times before with Ajax and we came back to win each time,” he said. “We were trailing FC Twente by 12 points midway through the season on one occasion but we caught them and became champions.

“It is possible but we just have to focus on ourselves and on our own game. It is important that we get something special out of this season because we deserve it but that will happen only if we work hard in these last few games.”

Spurs are close to securing a place in the top four, which should guarantee them a spot in next season’s Champions League. The top three in the Premier League will go straight into the group stages, with the fourth-placed side contesting a two-leg play-off.

The side finishing fourth could miss out if Manchester City and Liverpool win the Champions League and Europa League respectively. Mauricio Pochettino’s team are 12 points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United, who have a game in hand.

Tottenham vs Manchester United Player Ratings 23 show all Tottenham vs Manchester United Player Ratings 1/23 Player Ratings Who stood out at White Hart Lane? 2/23 Hugo Lloris: 6 Little more than a spectator in the first half, Lloris was not forced to make a significant save until the hour mark but did not kick particularly well. 3/23 Kyle Walker: 6 The Spurs full-back was often pinned back by Anthony Martial but did threaten whenever he managed to get into the final third. 4/23 Jan Vertonghen: 7 There was no sign of cobwebs from the Belgian, despite a nine-game absence, as he produced a typically solid display. 5/23 Toby Alderweireld: 7 As reliable and composed as ever, the Belgian got the goal he deserved too. The centre back's performances will only improve further now his defensive partner has returned to action. 6/23 Danny Rose: 8 His influence at Spurs continues to grow. Exhibited a superb range of passing and made sure Juan Mata was often heading back towards his own goal. Notched an assist for Lamela's strike. 7/23 Eric Dier: 6 The midfielder shielded the Spurs defence well, sitting deep and snuffing out any danger. Crucially, he avoided a 10th booking and the slate will now be wiped clean. 8/23 Mousa Dembele: 6 While the majority of Tottenham's players struggled for composure early on, Dembele was not among their number. Calm and composed presence in the centre of the pitch. 9/23 Erik Lamela: 7 The Argentine's afternoon threatened to be defined by a poor header but he made amends with an assist for Alderweireld and a fine finish of his own. 10/23 Dele Alli: 7 A relatively quiet afternoon from the teenager and was visibly frustrated before he swept home the opening goal, which lifted the mood among a delighted White Hart Lane crowd. 11/23 Christian Eriksen: 7 The Danish midfielder found his rhythm quickly and was not afraid to let fly from long range. Produced dangerous set-piece deliveries throughout and showed great vision to pick out Alli for the opener. 12/23 Harry Kane: 7 Starved of opportunities but worked tirelessly and forced David De Gea into a couple of smart saves. Relished his aerial battle with Chris Smalling. 13/23 David De Gea: 6 Denied Kane from point blank range and was not to know the lineman's flag had been raised. Could do little about any of the goals he conceded. 14/23 Timothy Fosu-Mensah: 6 Pushed forward at every opportunity and looks be a real prospect for the Red Devils. Could yet move into an advanced position if his touch and composure are anything to go by. Withdrawn due to injury.



Matteo Darmian: 4 Surely the Italian only got the call from the bench because Fosu-Mensah picked up a knock and now has a battle on his hands if he is to reclaim his place. 15/23 Chris Smalling: 6 The England international battled with Harry Kane throughout and did not give his opposite number a minute's peace. 16/23 Daley Blind: 5 Struggled against Walker's pace and was caught out of position on a couple of occasions. Technical ability does not mask his failures. 17/23 Marcos Rojo: 4 The Argentine is fraught with inconsistencies and simply did not do enough to attempt to deny Alderweireld for the second goal. 18/23 Morgan Schneiderlin: 5 The Frenchman struggled against a midfield which was full of what fans came to expect from United during Ferguson's reign. 19/23 Michael Carrick: 5 Solid but powerless once Spurs had taken control. 20/23 Juan Mata: 5 Did not appear to be up for the fight, the Spaniard made little impact in the final third and was left exposed in his own half. 21/23 Jesse Lingard: 5 Failed to make an impact in attack and does not looked well suited to a No. 10 role. 22/23 Anthony Martial: 6 One of few bright spots for the visitors. He looked the most likely to open the scoring but missed a vital chance at 0-0, and fell away during the closing stages. 23/23 Marcus Rashford: 6 Involved in plenty of nice interchanges in the first half but was withdrawn at the break for Ashley Young.



Ashley Young: 5 Introduced at centre forward but, unsurprisingly, did little of note. 1/23 Player Ratings Who stood out at White Hart Lane? 2/23 Hugo Lloris: 6 Little more than a spectator in the first half, Lloris was not forced to make a significant save until the hour mark but did not kick particularly well. 3/23 Kyle Walker: 6 The Spurs full-back was often pinned back by Anthony Martial but did threaten whenever he managed to get into the final third. 4/23 Jan Vertonghen: 7 There was no sign of cobwebs from the Belgian, despite a nine-game absence, as he produced a typically solid display. 5/23 Toby Alderweireld: 7 As reliable and composed as ever, the Belgian got the goal he deserved too. The centre back's performances will only improve further now his defensive partner has returned to action. 6/23 Danny Rose: 8 His influence at Spurs continues to grow. Exhibited a superb range of passing and made sure Juan Mata was often heading back towards his own goal. Notched an assist for Lamela's strike. 7/23 Eric Dier: 6 The midfielder shielded the Spurs defence well, sitting deep and snuffing out any danger. Crucially, he avoided a 10th booking and the slate will now be wiped clean. 8/23 Mousa Dembele: 6 While the majority of Tottenham's players struggled for composure early on, Dembele was not among their number. Calm and composed presence in the centre of the pitch. 9/23 Erik Lamela: 7 The Argentine's afternoon threatened to be defined by a poor header but he made amends with an assist for Alderweireld and a fine finish of his own. 10/23 Dele Alli: 7 A relatively quiet afternoon from the teenager and was visibly frustrated before he swept home the opening goal, which lifted the mood among a delighted White Hart Lane crowd. 11/23 Christian Eriksen: 7 The Danish midfielder found his rhythm quickly and was not afraid to let fly from long range. Produced dangerous set-piece deliveries throughout and showed great vision to pick out Alli for the opener. 12/23 Harry Kane: 7 Starved of opportunities but worked tirelessly and forced David De Gea into a couple of smart saves. Relished his aerial battle with Chris Smalling. 13/23 David De Gea: 6 Denied Kane from point blank range and was not to know the lineman's flag had been raised. Could do little about any of the goals he conceded. 14/23 Timothy Fosu-Mensah: 6 Pushed forward at every opportunity and looks be a real prospect for the Red Devils. Could yet move into an advanced position if his touch and composure are anything to go by. Withdrawn due to injury.



Matteo Darmian: 4 Surely the Italian only got the call from the bench because Fosu-Mensah picked up a knock and now has a battle on his hands if he is to reclaim his place. 15/23 Chris Smalling: 6 The England international battled with Harry Kane throughout and did not give his opposite number a minute's peace. 16/23 Daley Blind: 5 Struggled against Walker's pace and was caught out of position on a couple of occasions. Technical ability does not mask his failures. 17/23 Marcos Rojo: 4 The Argentine is fraught with inconsistencies and simply did not do enough to attempt to deny Alderweireld for the second goal. 18/23 Morgan Schneiderlin: 5 The Frenchman struggled against a midfield which was full of what fans came to expect from United during Ferguson's reign. 19/23 Michael Carrick: 5 Solid but powerless once Spurs had taken control. 20/23 Juan Mata: 5 Did not appear to be up for the fight, the Spaniard made little impact in the final third and was left exposed in his own half. 21/23 Jesse Lingard: 5 Failed to make an impact in attack and does not looked well suited to a No. 10 role. 22/23 Anthony Martial: 6 One of few bright spots for the visitors. He looked the most likely to open the scoring but missed a vital chance at 0-0, and fell away during the closing stages. 23/23 Marcus Rashford: 6 Involved in plenty of nice interchanges in the first half but was withdrawn at the break for Ashley Young.



Ashley Young: 5 Introduced at centre forward but, unsurprisingly, did little of note.

Alderweireld said: “Of course we want to get closer to Leicester but it is also important to keep winning to make sure we reach the Champions League. We want to finish at least in the top three.”