Tottenham 1-2 West Ham: Spurs throw away ANOTHER lead as James Ward-Prowse hits winner in London derby to see Ange Postecoglou’s side go five games without a win

• Tottenham entertained West Ham in the Premier League on Thursday evening 
• The Hammers won 2-1 after goals from James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen
• Why Steve Cooper’s sacking at Forest could have a domino effect in the Premier League – It’s All Kicking Off

‘It’s happened again,’ taunted the West Ham supporters. It keeps happening to Tottenham – that’s the problem.

For the fifth consecutive game, Spurs let their advantage slip. They’ve not won any of those matches, either. That’s a problem.

From five point clear at the top of the table to five without a win, Tottenham suddenly have some answers to find.

The fact it was West Ham will just compound the misery. Not that David Moyes will care an iota about that.

What a come back from the Hammers; the fact it came against Tottenham will make it all the more sweeter.

West Ham secured a memorable 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the Premier League on Thursday

James Ward-Prowse fired home the winner for the Hammers after his first effort hit the post

It sparked pandemonium in the away end as the Hammers defeated their London rivals

But Spurs only have themselves to blame. Again.

MATCH FACTS

SPURS (4-3-3): Vicario 6.5; Porro 6, Romero 6.5, Davies 6, Udogie 6.5; Bissouma 6 (Gil 84), Lo Celso 7 (Skipp 67, 5), Hojbjerg 6 (Richarlison 67, 5); Kulusevski 6.5, Son 7 (Veliz 88), Johnson 7 (Sarr 84). 

Subs not used: Forster, Royal, Donley, Dorrington. 

Booked: Porro, Romero.

Scorer: Romero 11. 

Manager : Ange Postecoglou 6.

West Ham (4-3-3): Fabianski 7; Coufal 6.5, Zouma 7, Aguerd 6.5, Emerson 6.5; Soucek 7, Ward-Prowse 7.5, Alvarez 6.5; Bowen 7, Kudus 7 (Fornals 88), Paqueta 7. 

Subs not used: Anang, Cresswell, Mavropanos, Ings, Ogbonna, Benrahma, Kehrer, Mubama. 

Booked: Emerson, Ward-Prowse.

Scorers: Bowen 52, Ward-Prowse 74. 

Manager: David Moyes 7.

Referee: Michael Salisbury 6.5.

Because for 45 minutes they were excellent. But they were eventually outthought and outmuscled to leave Ange Postecoglou on the receiving end of Moyes masterclass.

No wins in four for Tottenham heading into this encounter was offset by the semi-euphoria from their 3-3 draw at Manchester City on Sunday.

Cristian Romero’s return to the starting XI following a three match suspension arrived as a welcome return for Ange Postecoglou. How they’ve missed the temperamental Argentine’s tenacity – put most of all his pace in the heart of Tottenham’s defensive high line.

There was similar good news for West Ham, centre back Kurt Zouma retuning to the side after missing Sunday’s draw against Crystal Palace following a terrifying ordeal that saw his house burgled, while his family were at home, on Saturday night.

But first choice goalkeeper Alphonse Areola was a shock omission from the squad with a wrist injury leaving Lukasz Fabianski to make his first Premier League start of the season.

With just one defeat in seven heading into this London derby, the Hammers marched across the capital with a bounce in their step last night.

Yet they barely survived a first-half Tottenham onslaught here as Tottenham played with purpose and verve.

Destiny Udogie and Brennan Johnson were ripping down West Ham’s right side while Heung-min Son’s movement was causing Zouma and central defensive partner Nayef Aguerd difficulties.

The dynamism of this Spurs side under Postecoglou is such a sight to behold. Pass. Move. Run. Relentless.

No wonder Tottenham fans have taken such a shining to the Australian.

Spurs went 1-0 up after just 11 minutes when Cristian Romero headed home from a corner

The Argentine scored on his return to the side after serving a three-match suspension 

The opener arrived in the 11th minute, Romero thumping a header past Fabianski from Pedro Porro’s corner.

The South American’s leap was dominant, Aguerd – caught under the ball – and Edson Alvarez could do nothing to stop him.

Romero celebrated by making a heart shape out of his fingers. The love from his team-mates and supporters soon followed.

And it was nothing more than Tottenham deserved following a breathtaking opening, West Ham were at full pelt just to cling on to their opponent’s coattails.

Four minutes later, Brennan Johnson missed an excellent chance to double Tottenham’s lead before Son saw his effort from the edge of the box held by Fabianski.

Moyes, with a pen in his had, gestured and motioned to his players frantically from his technical area. The Scot clearly uncomfortable with what he was seeing.

Yet there was nothing he could do to stem the tide of white shirts. Giovani Lo Celso was next to be denied, his half volley from 15 yards parried by Fabianski, who was enduring a hectic reminder of what Premier League football is like.

Johnson was next off target, Bissouma quickly followed suite. West Ham couldn’t wait for the whistle. Spurs looked to be in the mood to play all night.

Yet with all that said, Postecoglou won’t need the reminding of the dangers of a 1-0 lead – particularly in a game where you’ve been by far the superior.

Indeed, Lucas Paqueta should have made Tottenham pay for their profligacy in the 44th minute. Mohammed Kudus made a fool of Ben Davies down the West Ham right before playing an inch perfect back post cross towards his Brazilian colleague.

Paqueta’s header was tame, completely mis-executing his finish off-target. Moyes threw his hands up in frustration. Paqueta couldn’t quite believe it either.

Jarrod Bowen equalised early in the second half as David Moyes’ side were much improved

It was Bowen’s ninth Premier League goal of the campaign and continued his superb season

Tottenham were left to rue defensive errors as they allowed the Hammers back into the game

Ward-Prowse’s winner was another gift from Spurs as their defensive lapses proved costly

Not that West Ham deserved an equaliser, mind. But you don’t always get what you deserve, Tottenham should really have found out the hard way.

Paqueta’s opportunity would have served as a warning to Spurs. For all their dominance, Postecoglou’s men remained within touching distance to West Ham.

And the sucker punch duly arrived seven minutes after the restart. Tottenham failed to deal with Paqueta’s hopeful ball forward as the ball broke to Kudus.

The Ghana international’s shot ricocheted off Romero and Davies before breaking to Jarrod Bowen, who did the rest form close range.

An eruption of joy from the away end. An outpouring of frustration from those with Tottenham connections.

It shouldn’t have come to this. But it had.

And all of a sudden West Ham were playing with a swagger.

Paqueta forced Vicario into a 56th minute save after a flowing counter that involved Bowen, Kudus and James Ward-Prowse.

West Ham were markedly sharper, quicker and more purposeful. Ward Prowse hit the post amid a flurry of corners and crosses into the box.

Suddenly the natives were becoming restless, in a season of positivity this script wasn’t heading in the direction they’d envisaged.

Richarlison missed a gilt-edged chance when the score was still level after coming on 

Spurs have now picked up just one point from their past five Premier League matches

Misplaced pass were greeted with groans, rather than encouragement. The decision to replace Lo Celso with Oliver Skipp was welcomed with audible moans.

The anxieties would have eased considerably had Richarlison, introduced as a 67th minute substitute, scored with a free header just moments after coming on or if Porro’s effort in the 73rd minute wasn’t stopped by Fabianski.

You just knew what was coming – and in the 74th minute it arrived in living colour.

Udogie sold Vicario short with his back pass leaving Bowen to hunt the ball down like a terrier. Eventually the ball broke to Ward Prowse who, after initially hitting the post, stroked into an empty net to net a euphoric winner.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

Your browser does not support iframes.

Source: Read Full Article