Betting Stories: Tottenham cost punter just under two grand on BTTS & Win four-fold

Spursy.

- To consistently and inevitably fail to live up to expectations. To bottle it.

A direct quote from a made up word in the Urban Dictionary, but a powerful word nonetheless. When Sir Alex Ferguson said to his Manchester United side “Lads, it’s Tottenham” to spur them on to victory before a game against the Lilywhites, it had the desired effect. 

Because, for all the talent that Tottenham possess - with one of the world’s greatest goalscorers spearheading their attack - it is their mentality and inability to see games through that will probably always prevent them from being truly successful. One solitary League Cup triumph in the last 20 years backs up that point perfectly. 

As the season approaches its end, Tottenham desperately need wins behind them to break into the top-four and secure Champions League football for next season. It is their only avenue into the competition after being dumped out of the Europa League having initially led Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 after the first leg of their last-16 tie (Spursy). 

After Chelsea’s shock defeat to West Brom on Saturday, there was a perfect opportunity for the north Londoners to leapfrog the Blues and break into the top-four by beating relegation-threatened Newcastle on Sunday afternoon - a team who have not won a game in the Premier League since February 6. Unsurprisingly, though, they blew it. 

With the visitors’ defence all at sea for the entirety of the performance, the Magpies posed a constant threat at St. James’ Park and deserved to take at least a point from the match. It could have been all three had it not been for some wasteful finishing from the hosts. 

Harry Kane did his best to pull his side to victory, scoring both of Tottenham’s goals, which did look to be enough as the clock ticked closer to the 90 minute mark and the scoreline read 2-1 to Mourinho’s men. But this is Tottenham. And you felt that a goal was always imminent from Newcastle in the dying stages as the Spurs defence continued to fluff their lines and failed to track their men.

Then it came, and from the harshest of sources. Arsenal loanee Joe Willock off the bench to capitalise on some calamitous defending and prod home the equaliser in the 85th minute, killing Spurs’ hopes of a win and coupons across the country. 

None more so than this bet365 customer’s ‘BTTS & Win’ four-fold.

The punter staked £5 on Southampton, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester United all to win and concede, returning a cool £1,959. While the others made a hash of their job - all three sides falling behind before turning their games around to win - they ultimately got the job done. Tottenham, however. Well, they’re just Spursy; a phrase this punter will now know the meaning of all too well....