Five things we learned from Tottenham’s 4-1 win over West Ham
Tottenham returned to winning ways in the Premier League this afternoon with a 4-1 victory over, following that shocking defeat against Brighton last time out.
Let’s take a look at the five things we learned:
Dejan Kulusevski is a monster
What a performance from this man! Once again, he stepped up when Tottenham required a creative spark, rifling the ball home off both posts at such an important time in the match. Usually, Kulusevski and Maddison are the dream team in that attacking third, but Deki took it up an extra notch when he was flying solo in the second half today.
Every good Spurs move featured a pass, flick, or trick from the Swedish superstar. On another day, he could have grabbed another goal or two. And all these attacking highlights shouldn’t take away from the fact that he still presses and tracks back more than any other Tottenham player!
Taking control of the game
You could definitely see the impact of that Brighton defeat on Tottenham today. Taking Maddison off at half-time to add more legs and better pressing. Taking our chances to put the game beyond West Ham. Then dictating the pace of the match, slowing things down, and letting the game fizzle out into nothingness. That’s how you go ahead and stay ahead. Perhaps really Spurs needed that lesson from Brighton.
More Moore, please!
This isn’t a pick on Timo party – I still think he’s a decent squad option in certain situations. However, I cannot understand throwing on an out-of-form loanee who won’t be here next season instead of your brightest academy prospect.
Being 4-1 up with 20 minutes to go is a rare and unique situation that is tailor-made to give youngsters minutes without too much pressure. Moore needs game time at the top level to continue his development and it felt like Postecoglou missed a trick today.
Two unsung heroes
Most of the credit will go to the likes of Heung-min Son, Maddison and Kulusevski today – and with good reason. That being said, both Dominic Solanke and Brennan Johnson deserve a big shout-out. Solanke’s hold-up play was superb today and he really drives Spurs up the pitch with the ball at his feet. Yes, it was one of those games where the crosses were seemingly always just a few inches away from him, but his general play was near-perfect.
Johnson, on the other hand, was a little quieter than normal but stretched the game so well on and off the ball. The Welshman created so much space for his teammates, particularly on the break in that second half.
Bentancur gets another cap
One funny moment during the match took place part-way through the second half when the sun started to peak over the top of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Amid the celebrations of Tottenham’s goal, Guglielmo Vicario ran across to the subs warming up on the touchline and asked Bentancur to fetch him a cap.
The Uruguayan did as he was told, but by the time he made it back to the touchline, play had resumed. Bentancur walked around to Vicario’s goalpost and proceeded to yell at the Tottenham keeper for the next five minutes to try and pass off the cap – to no avail. He was finally relieved of his cap-holding duties once West Ham earned a corner and Vicario had some respite.
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