West Ham vs Tottenham

Being an Arsenal fan, I obviously wanted Tottenham to lose this, but despite this, it was an excellent game of football, an excellent spectacle for the neutral. Here's my match report on what was another excellent London derby.

In probably West Ham's biggest game of the season, the hammers will always come out fighting against a very good Tottenham side. This game was no different with an exciting, fast and fiesty tempo being played throughout by both teams. 

It was a lively and even start to the derby and although not many chances were being created, it certainly wasn't dull. However, in the 16th minute an excellent Noble ball found Arnautovic who somehow squirmed through Aurier and Alderweireld only for a stunning recovery tackle from new boy Aurier preventing the opening goal for the hammers.

Just under ten minutes on however and Tottenham were presented with an incredible chance as Aurier found himself in behind smashing it across to Harry Kane who somehow diverted wide. Luckily for Kane his blushes were spared as the offside flag went up against him, but it was still a very presentable opportunity nonetheless.

But Harry Kane wasn't going to make that mistake again as after a sloppy work from Carroll and Kouyate in the middle of the park, Eriksen found Alli who crossed to Kane to head home expertly. Against the run of play, but West Ham creating their own problems. 1-0.

Soon after however, it was two. After West Ham gave the ball away again, Vertonghen played it through to Alli who's shot was smothered by Joe Hart only for who else to be in the right position Harry Kane to tuck home into an empty net. Spurs leading the way, with West Ham looking completely deflated.

Then came half time and a much needed break for West Ham who haven't looked themselves since the rapid fire Kane goals. For Tottenham however, given the start to the game they had, they would probably be surprised at a 2-0 scoreline, and probably very fortunate too.

The second half kicked off and although it was again West Ham who came out the stronger, it was Tottenham who made their attacks count as after a rocket of a freekick from Harry Kane hit the far post, a deflected cross found its way to Cristian Eriksen who calmly stroked it home. Game over ten minutes into the second half?

Not quite, as soon after the Tottenham goal, West Ham pulled one back as a corner was whipped in by Cresswell which found Fonte. Intentional or not, he flicked it towards the back post for West Ham's new poacher Javier Hernandez to tuck home past Lloris with a header. Game on now?

Certainly so, as the ball came to Andy Carroll after Ayew had won it back, and as an already booked Aurier came rushing in, Carroll saw it coming and cleverly got his body between man and ball. A stupid challenge from Serge Aurier, which deservedly lead to a red card. Very little debate, from either side.

Despite alot of West Ham possession, there was very little in terms of chances apart from a Hernandez shot that was palmed away by Hugo Lloris. But in the 86th minute an excellent Masuaku cross that substitute Harry Winks couldn't prevent, was powered home by Kouyate. An incredible comeback was on, and a very nervy ending for Spurs.

Then came full time, after a very fiesty end which saw both subs Llorente and Carroll getting booked. In the end however it was Tottenham who managed to deal with the late West Ham pressure who honestly were unlucky to not come away with anything from the game.

MOTM: Harry Kane

Scoring two goals in a massive London derby isn't bad going for the Spurs talisman who was a consistent problem to that West Ham backline. Converting both his shots on target really summed up his performance today, spearheading Spurs to victory.