Tottenham cruise to victory over 10-man West Ham

Tottenham claimed a comfortable Premier League victory over 10-man West Ham at London Stadium to renew the pressure on Graham Potter.

The result moves Spurs up to second in the table, level on points with leaders Arsenal with Brentford and Chelsea still to play on Saturday evening.

It also ensured that Thomas Frank became only the third Tottenham manager to win his first two away top-flight matches in charge of the club, along with Ossie Ardiles (1993-94) and Tim Sherwood (2013-14).

However, after the respite of a fine win at Nottingham Forest before the international break, it was a familiar tale for the Hammers and Potter, whose side have not won a Premier League game at home since 27 February.

Alarmingly they have also conceded eight goals in two home matches in the league this term although the dismissal of Tomas Soucek in the 54th minute hardly helped matters.

By then, the Hammers were already trailing, with Spurs midfielder Pape Matar Sarr left unmarked to head his side ahead shortly after the break.

And things went from bad to worse for the hosts after their Czech midfielder was shown a red card for a lunging challenge on Joao Palhinha, with Lucas Bergvall’s looping header doubling Tottenham’s lead just nine seconds after the match restarted.

When Micky van de Ven capitalised on some passive defending to drive in a third for the visitors just after the hour mark it was the cue for a number of home supporters to head for the exits on a disappointing evening that leaves their team 18th in the table.

Despite a bright opening spell, it proved to be another afternoon of frustration for those associated with West Ham.

Had Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta delivered the sort of finish a superb move down the right deserved – instead of one that was tame and off-target – things may have played out differently.

Instead, any early promise evaporated as Spurs took control of proceedings and West Ham’s defensive flaws were exposed again.

The Hammers have now conceded more headed goals (5) than any other side in the Premier League this season and and on this evidence, it is easy to understand why.

Quite why full-back Walker-Peters and midfielder Mateus Fernandes were at times picking up Romero and Van de Ven at set pieces was mystifying.

As was Sarr being one of two Tottenham players left completely alone at the back post when he headed the opening goal less than two minutes after half-time.

The defending for Bergvall’s goal was little better, coming from a long ball that completely caught out centre -back Konstantinos Mavropanos. For Van de Ven’s strike, West Ham had eight players in their box to Spurs’ three, yet were still beaten to the loose ball.

The first game of the post-Daniel Levy era could hardly have gone much better for Tottenham.

While the sudden departure of the Premier League’s longest-serving chairman had placed scrutiny on the club’s ownership and operations off the pitch at boardroom level, back on the pitch, Spurs responded with a professional display.

With the Lewis family represented in the stands by Vivienne Lewis and her son-in-law Nick Beucher and chief executive Vinai Venkatesham also present, there was a chance for influential figures to enjoy watching Frank’s side control proceedings for long periods.

Had Van de Ven not hauled home defender Kyle Walker-Peters to the floor, they would have gone ahead from Cristian Romero’s first-half header, which was ruled out for the infringement.

Mohammed Kudus, who was roundly booed each time he touched the ball on his return to the club he left in the summer provided a useful outlet down the Tottenham right.

However, Sweden midfielder Bergvall stole the show having been reintroduced to the side, playing several lovely passes and taking the responsibility of initiating numerous attacks.

The 19-year-old completed 89% of his passes and capped an excellent display with both a goal and an assist for Van de Ven.

[BBC]