Unbeaten Away Streak Ended At Spurs

As I mentioned in my preview to this game West Ham United faced possibly their toughest test of the season to date in Saturday’s early kick-off and it proved to be so, as Tottenham Hotspur came from behind to inflict a first defeat on the road for the Irons, winning 4-1 at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium..

Julen Lopetegui named the same starting line-up for the third straight fixture.

Both sets of supporters were roaring their teams on and the players were also showing what this derby meant to them, as it was a competitive start to the game. Ange Postecoglou’s side were determined to respond, following their second-half performance at Brighton and Hove Albion before the international break and they nearly opened the scoring through Brennan Johnson but it went wide of Alphonse Areola’s post.

Mohammed Kudus then went the other end and tested home goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario. Unfortunately though, the Italian made a great save.

There was no sign of the tempo slowing down, as Son Heung-min tried his luck but fortunately for the large contingent of Hammers’ supporters, he missed the target.

West Ham looked dangerous in attack throughout the opening stages and went in front after eighteen minutes, as Kudus beat Vicario to send those who had made the short trip to North London ballistic!!!

Not that the home side needed any encouragement to find a way back into the game but trouble was that the East Londoners were proving resilient. Good link-up between Johnson and Destiny Udogie broke down when the ball deflected off the former Nottingham Forest man’s shoulder. Pedro Porro then went for goal with a long-range shot but Areola denied him with an equally as impressive save.

The majority inside the stadium saw their side finally get back on level terms when James Maddison picked out Dejan Kulusevski. Although the French stopper got a hand to the effort, the ball hit both posts before rolling over the line.

Porro could have turned the game around for Postecoglou’s men just before the break but his half-volley missed the target.

With that, referee Andrew Madley brought the half to a close with the scores remaining all square.

Lopetegui made no changes during the break to see if his team could regain the advantage. Unfortunately though, the home side went ahead just seven minutes after the restart when Udogie pulled the ball back and Yves Bissouma finished past Areola to complete the comeback.

The Hammers’ Head-Coach had Edson Álvarez, Carlos Soler and Crysencio Summerville ready but wasn’t able to bring them on before Spurs extended their advantage when Son Heung-min played a one-two with Kulusevski and then trying his luck. The home Captain had his initial effort kept out but a deflection meant that Jean-Clair Todibo applied the final touch.

The home side had made it clear that the three points were theirs just four minutes later, as Son Heung-min added his name to the scoresheet to end a devastating spell of Spurs pressure. Pape Matar Sarr, who had replaced Maddison at half-time, released the skipper and he got the better of Todibo and gave Areola no chance.

Finally the trio of substitutes were all introduced, taking the places of Tomáš Souček, Lucas Paquetá and Michail Antonio.

The South Korean almost had another seconds later but, to the relief of those housed in the away end, his latest effort hit the post. Up the other end however, Kudus tried to claim his second of the afternoon but unfortunately, Udogie blocked on the line.

Both managers made changes with twenty minutes of normal time still to play, Lopetegui brought on Konstantinos Mavropanos.to take the place of Guido Rodríguez, while Postecoglou sent on Timo Werner for Son Heung-min.

Kulusevski, Johnson and Werner all went close to a fifth goal but the visiting goalkeeper wasn’t in the mood to be beaten again.

As if the afternoon hadn’t been bad enough for West Ham but in the eighty sixth minute, Kudus was sent-off for his reaction, following a tussle with Micky van de Ven. The decision means he will now miss the club’s next three games.

After earning their first home win against newly-promoted Ipswich Town last time out, the home fans will be hoping that the East Londoners can produce a repeat of that when Manchester United arrive in Stratford next Sunday.