West Ham Blown away by Tottenham

A spectacular second half display saw Tottenham run out dominant Premier League winners over local rivals West Ham in North London. Hammers winger Mohammed Kudus turned in the opening goal of the game from a Jarrod Bowen cross in the 18th minute having missed a similar chance moments earlier. 
Midfielder Dejan Kulusevski got Spurs a deserved equaliser which squeezed in after hitting both posts in the 36th minute. But with Spurs already dominant in the first half, they took their game to another level after the interval as James Maddison was substituted for Pape Matar Sarr.
They scored just 7 minutes later as Yves Bissouma arrived to finish Destiny Udogie’s cutback to put Spurs ahead.
Son Heung-min, who had been pulling the strings for the other goals, then saw his shot saved by Alphonse Areola but his parry deflected off Jean-Clair Todibo and into the goal.
The Korean scored 5 minutes later by tucking in a finish after the Hammers failed to clear a loose ball, but then hit the post with a similar chance as West Ham turned over possession straight after the resulting kick-off.
Remarkably, Kudus was sent off after pushing both Sarr and Micky van de Ven in the face, following an intervention from VAR Christopher Kavanagh.
The result was what Spurs’ impressive attacking play deserved and their second-half display helps to exorcise demons after the club squandered a 2-0 lead at Brighton before the international break.
They lost that match 3-2 at the Amex Stadium – leading Ange Postecoglou to describe the display at his “worst defeat” since becoming Spurs manager last summer.
Sweden captain Kulusevski is taking his game to the next level this season and, after scoring at Old Trafford before the international break, the 24-year-old got a crucial first-half equaliser on Saturday afternoon.
His near-post effort settled some nerves in a key moment after the north Londoners went a goal down early on.
Physically, technically and tactically, Kulusevski is finding that his game is coming together this season now he is playing in his preferred attacking midfielder role.
He may only have 2 goals and an assist this season but those watching closely will see his influence and he is increasingly becoming one of the first names on the team sheet.
Interestingly, it was James Maddison who was hauled off in a ‘tactical change’ for Pape Matar Sarr – with other attackers arguably in better form.
Severe growing pains for West Ham
This is a squad built mostly by former manager David Moyes and it is struggling to adapt to new manager Julen Lopetegui’s approach. Formerly a counter-attacking team, the Hammers came to Spurs to play out from the back, keep possession and try to attack their rivals.
But they were outgunned, not as well-drilled in the attacking third and made a series of calamitous errors from the back. Goalkeeper Alphonse Areola’s goal-kicks led to Spurs chances and others were kicked out of play.
A midfield featuring Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez was physically dominated and exploited by Spurs’ press and the defence struggled to build from the back.
The only positive for West Ham is they looked dangerous whenever Jarrod Bowen or Kudus were able to run at the opposition wingers. It’s worrying that the 4-1 score line may even have flattered a well-beaten West Ham.
Kudus West Ham’s best player but loses head late on
Ghana international Kudus looked like he kicked Van de Ven as he fell following a 50-50 challenge and then pushed the Dutchman in the face, sparking a mass brawl, in which he accidentally knocked heads with substitute Richarlison before pushing Sarr in the face.
With 2 Spurs players down on the floor, referee Andrew Madley initially gave a yellow card.
But VAR Chris Kavanagh ensured it was cancelled before a straight red card was issued for violent conduct in the 86th minute.
Undoubtedly West Ham’s best player in a difficult afternoon, the forward has made it harder for Lopetegui to recover as he now faces a 3-match ban to compound the club’s troubles.
BBC