By the end of this campaign it will be five seasons since Tottenham last sealed back-to-back top four finishes. Even if they do return to Europe's premier club competition next season, the inconsistency that has plagued them over recent years is clear to see.
Outside of Manchester City, no side has managed to finish in the top four every year since Tottenham last achieved it. Only Chelsea and Liverpool have done it back-to-back, but both have fallen outside of the race this season. Arsenal, despite their stellar season, are back in the Champions League for the first time since 2016.
The equation simply doesn't compute every season anymore. With Newcastle sealing their place, the top four, which was already stretched to a 'big six', challenges are coming from a top seven and even then Brighton, Brentford, Aston Villa and Fulham want a word for their admirable campaigns, too.
