Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 West Ham United – Harry Kane got his name back on the scoresheet as Spurs scored two important second half goals to pick up their first Premier League win in 5 matches as West Ham remain only just outside the relegation zone on goal difference.
First half:
The opening to the first half of this London derby never really got going in terms of entertainment with both sides being out of form and looking rather cagey and hesitant to take any chances in the early going at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The first big opportunity of the game fell to the visitors when a Mark Noble free kick found its way through to Michail Antonio who had his shot saved by the legs of Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and then Jarrod Bowen had his follow up shot blocked by Eric Dier as West Ham failed to capitalize on a good opportunity to take the lead.
The first meaningful effort from Tottenham Hotspur in the game was from winger Lucas Moura when the Brazilian unleashed an effort from about 25 yards out which was well tipped over the crossbar by Hammers shot stopper Lukasz Fabianski as the game started to slowly liven up after a slow start.
Tottenham Hotspur thought they found the breakthrough right on half time when Son Heung-min fired past Fabianski at the near post; however, VAR had a look at the goal and decided that Son was stood in an offside position, it was very close but Spurs had the goal ruled out by VAR, a massive blow for Spurs but a huge plus for relegation battling West Ham who managed to go in at half time 0-0.
Second half:
Tottenham Hotspur largely began to dominate the game in the second half with the biggest chance falling to main striker Harry Kane after a swift counter attack in the first big chance of the half, and it was a chance that the English striker uncharacteristically missed putting wide of the post as Spurs must have begun to wonder if it was going to be there day.
64 minutes in and Tottenham Hotspur this time managed to find a breakthrough when Czech Republic international Tomas Soucek put through his own net after he failed to clear a Spurs corner the ball unfortunately struck the Hammers man’s heel and found its way past goalkeeper Fabianski, not the prettiest goal but Tottenham Hotspur did not care at all they lead 1-0.
The biggest chance the Hammers had to equalise fell to winger Jarrod Bowen when his left footed strike hit the post in a huge opportunity to bring West Ham level, the January signing had his head in his hands as he and the Hammers knew they would not get many better opportunities than this to equalise.
Tottenham Hotspur then sealed the 3 points in the 82nd minute when Son Heung-min put through Harry Kane who broke the offside trap and ran through to put the ball past goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and put the game out of the Hammers reach to score his first goal since a return from injury as Spurs picked up their first win in 5 Premier League matches and give Spurs a much needed win.
Man of the match:
Son Heung-min – In a game of few stand out players it was the South Korean winger who came up with the goods for Tottenham putting in a typical hardworking display and grabbing himself a late assist for Harry Kane’s goal to cap off his performance.
Fascinating facts:
This is the first time Tottenham Hotspur have done the League double over West Ham since the 2012/2013 season.
West Ham have not picked up a single away point in 2020.
Harry Kane has now scored 6 goals in 5 Premier League home matches against West Ham.
This was only Tottenham Hotspur’s 5th Premier League clean sheet all season which is the joint second lowest in the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho and David Moyes facing off against each other meant that this was the first time two former Manchester United managers have faced each other in the Premier League era.
This was the first time Tottenham Hotspur have kept a home clean sheet against West Ham United since March 2011.
Talking points:
Big win for Spurs to end their drought – Tottenham Hotspur had not won in 7 matches before this game a run which stretches back to a 2-3 away at Villa Park, could this win be a momentum builder for Spurs to push for a Champions League place?
West Ham continue to flirt with relegation after another defeat – West Ham have now lost two out of two since the Premier League resumed and still the Hammers only remain outside the relegation zone on goal difference, will West Ham be relegated for the first time in 9 years? Right now that has a good chance of being the case.
A very unfortunate own goal sends Tottenham on their way to victory – West Ham were defending relatively well in the game for the first 64 minutes until a very unfortunate own goal by on loan Czech Republic international Tomas Soucek as the ball went in off his heel and past goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, when you are near the bottom you do unfortunately have goals like that go in against you.
Harry Kane back amongst the goals after a quiet game against Manchester United – Harry Kane put in an anonymous performance against Manchester United last Friday put that behind him in the London derby against West Ham by bagging his first goal since football returned and his 11th goal of the Premier League campaign.
VAR makes a big call after disallowing Son Heung-min’s goal in the first half – Tottenham thought they had taken the lead just before half time when South Korean winger Son Heung-min fired past West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, however, VAR had judged Son to be in an offside position by literally a toe and ruled the goal out with this being perhaps the harshest VAR decision since the return of the Premier League.
Sam’s match reports 