Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 West Ham United
The longer this Premier League encounter between Tottenham and West Ham went on, it was understandable for those of a Spurs persuasion to cast their eyes forward to events in a little over 72 hours’ time.
Regardless of this result, their Champions League semi-final against Ajax on Tuesday night was always going to take priority and may explain why, after bossing the initial stages, a more even contest followed.
The law of averages suggested Spurs may be hard-pressed to beat their rivals for a third time this season after winning both matches on West Ham turf earlier in the campaign in both league and League Cup.
Yet this would be no tame end-of-season affair. The at-times bitter rivalry was always going to ensure SBOBET followers would be treated to Premier League 2019 highlights one way or the other.
Highlights of the game
Tottenham, already without Harry Kane, Harry Winks, Erik Lamela, Moussa Sissoko, and Serge Aurier, received a pre-match boost with Dele Alli and Danny Rose both overcoming knocks sustained in midweek to take their place in the starting line-up.
West Ham also had problems with Javier Hernandez andJack Wilshere only fit enough to be on the bench and Manuel Lanzini and Aaron Cresswell missing out altogether.
The hosts, looking to complete their first league double over West Ham since 2012-13, started in the ascendancy. From an Alli pass, man of the moment Son Heung-Min made light of a difficult angle to force Lukasz Fabianski into action.
The Hammers came back into it with Ryan Fredericks forcing Hugo Lloris into a save. And at the other end, Lucas Moura was a whisker away from opening the scoring.
The closest either team came to a goal in the first half came 10 minutes before the break when Son’s blocked shot fell into the path of Christian Eriksen, who was expertly denied by the on-rushing Fabianski.
Sensing Spurs were below par, West Ham began the second period brightly. Young talent Fredericks saw a goal-bound effort deflected to safety.
It took a superb Fredericks tackle to stop a dangerous-looking Spurs counter-attack midway through the second half, moments before one of their unsung heroes provide his worth again.
He may have missed much of the campaign through injury but there’s no doubting the talent of Michail Antonio.
Marko Arnautovic had been largely well marshalled but, from a delicate chip from the Austrian, Antonio controlled the ball on his chest and half-volleyed the ball beyond Lloris.
It was a fine finish, a fine celebration, and a bit of history as it was the first goal Spurs have conceded in their new stadium.
Fredericks was again key when he blocked Son’s effort after a link up with Alli threatened to create an equaliser.
Lloris was smart to stop the pacey Antonio from grabbing a second before tired Spurs gave it one more go. However, substitute Vincent Janssen’s header was cleared off the line by Fabian Balbuena.
A memorable victory for the Hammers and not quite a hammer blow for Spurs but a frustrating one.
Their big contest is still to come.
Key statistics
West Ham are the first away side to win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. They were also the first side to beat Arsenal at the Emirates in April 2007.
This was only West Ham’s second Premier League away victory at Spurs in the past 17 attempts.
Fredericks made four appearances for boyhood club Tottenham before leaving for Bristol City in 2015.
This was Spurs’ first defeat in 10 home games, winning eight of them, including fixtures played at Wembley.
Mauricio Pochettino had been unbeaten in all six home league games as a manager against West Ham (won two, drawn four) until today.
West Ham have taken more points in this game than their previous eight away fixtures. This was only their sixth clean sheet of the league campaign.
This was their first away victory against a top-six side in 21 attempts – since beating Manchester City in September 2015.
What’s next?
It’s all eyes now for Spurs on their first European Cup semi-final since 1962.
They host Ajax – who have had a rest from action this weekend – on Tuesday (April 30) in the first leg of their Champions League last four tie.
It’s then back to domestic duties and a trip to Bournemouth a week from today. Despite this home defeat, Premier League 2019 betting odds still favour Pochettino’s side to claim a top-four finish.
West Ham have two leagues games remaining. Their final home match of the campaign is against Southampton next week.
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