Tottenham strolled to victory over an out-of-sorts West Ham side at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, to respond to their dismal defeat to Brighton prior to the international break, courtesy of goals from Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Son Heung-Min and an own goal from Alphonse Areola.
Spurs came out the blocks quickly, almost opening the scoring minutes in, as Brennan Johnson flashed a ferocious volley across Areola’s goal, an effort inches from creeping into the top corner. However, West Ham slowly grew into the game, and almost took the lead when Jarrod Bowen’s cut-back found Mohammed Kudus, whose shot from inside the box was expertly kept out by Vicario.
Despite the home side dominating possession in the early stages, the Hammers recreated this move and did take the lead inside the opening 20 minutes, with Bowen again cutting back to Kudus, who this time made no mistake, slotting past the Italian shot-stopper in a crowded box. Postecoglou’s men should’ve had a quick fire equaliser, as Johnson headed wide from close range after an excellent Destiny Udogie cross. The Lillywhites did eventually level the game, with Kulusevski deceiving Areola by firing a shot towards his near post when shaping for the far, with the ball trickling over the line after crashing against the woodwork.
Making a tactical change at the interval by replacing James Maddison with Pape Sarr, Spurs came out in rampant fashion at the start of the second half. Bissouma gave Tottenham the lead, as Sons defence-splitting pass found Udogie, who cut back to the Malian, who slid the ball past a helpless Areola. Minutes later, Spurs extended their lead after Son’s shot ricocheted off Todibo and into the net, following an exceptional reverse ball from Kulusevski into the South Korean’s path.
It got worse for the Irons, as Son’s near post finish put the game to bed after the Spurs skipper was set free from an inch-perfect pass from Sarr. Spurs had a flurry of late chances but were unable to add to their tally before Kudus was given his marching orders for hitting out on a number of Tottenham players after his frustrations boiled over. Spurs move into the top six, while West Ham sink to 14th after the resounding defeat.
