Tottenham 2 West Ham 0
Another miserable afternoon in front of Sky for this one, though Agent Nigel has infiltrated the home fans with his 'lucky' banana. It's a strange defensive line-up with the limited Flynn Downes in midfield alongside Rice and Soucek. Surely Fornals or Benrahma would have offered more going forward? Playing for a goalless draw is far too unambitious against side that has lost its goalkeeper, best defender and manager.
The Irons start well, with Soucek playing in Bowen for a volley wide in the first minute. The Hammers force a few corners but still look unthreatening from set-pieces, while Spurs have a penalty appeal waved away after the falling Kehrer touches the ball with his hand.The Hammers frustrate Spurs in a dull first half and the only real action is a late shot from Richarlison that Fabianski saves with his legs.
After the break Spurs come out with greater purpose. Mistakes from Aguerd and Rice present chances to Richarlison and Kane. The breakthrough comes when Hojbjerg plays a through ball to to Davies which dissects Coufal and Ogbonna too easily. One full-back lays it off to the other, Emerson Royal, who calmly side-foots home.The Hammers have an instant chance to equalise as Antonio's knock-on finds Bowen who fires against the feet of Forster.
The game is effectively over when Kane manages to find a little space after a tussle with Ogbonna and plays in substitute Son, who scores with another calm finish after getting beyond Coufal and Kehrer. Moyes waits too long to bring on Benrahma and Ings and later Fornals and Johnson and the Irons never really look like getting a goal back as the Spurs fans sing, "West Ham get battered..." Bowen does well on the right to set up Benrahma who shoots way wide.
It's not a terrible performance, but it was as the Guardian put it "doggedly mediocre." We need to win some away games and we're not going to do that set up to take a point.The Irons need Zouma and Paqueta fit, Scamacca back firing and to give Ings a chance. Now Nottingham Forest on Saturday becomes yet another must-win game.
2 comments:
123 years of under achievement for Westham.Can't blame it all on Moyes but at least in the past it was the Westham way and exciting to watch .
Yes, would feel better if we at least have a go in away games.
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