Tottenham responded to their “worst defeat” under Ange Postecoglou with a brilliant second half display to secure a 4-1 victory over West Ham at home.
In their first match since surrendering a two-goal lead against Brighton, Tottenham went behind at home versus the Hammers with Mohammed Kudus arriving at the back post to turn home a Jarrod Bowen pull back.
Spurs had been dominating possession and stepped up the tempo after going behind. Dejan Kulusevski was a bright spark and pulled the hosts level with an inside run and strike from the right wing.
1-1 was the half-time score and the match seemed like a close contest. The second half was anything but. Son Heung-min slipped a fine ball into the box for Destiny Udogie to set up Yves Bissouma’s goal before an unfortunate own goal extended Tottenham’s lead.
Having been involved in the previous two goals Son then drifted into space on the left and finished off a fine solo run to put the game out of West Ham’s reach. Kudus was visibly frustrated and let that show late in the game by collecting a red card.
Relive the updates from Tottenham vs West Ham in the Premier League in today’s live blog
How Ange Postecoglou’s pivotal James Maddison decision changed Tottenham’s direction
Sometimes, well, you can actually change the players rather than the manager. At least for one match. In a game where both coaches were under some pressure, Ange Postecoglou was proactive with his own replacements, while Julen Lopetegui paid for his indecisiveness. The wonder is whether the Basque will even be at West Ham by the time Mohammed Kudus returns to the team, as the forward is facing at least a three-game ban, after one game here that visibly frustrated him.
His team were dismal in a 4-1 defeat that could have seen Tottenham score eight. As deserving as that would have been, the victory was still the tale of two subs - or really four. Spurs had been beginning to get on top towards the end of the first half, with Dejan Kulusevski having equalised Kudus’ own opening strike. There was still more that could be done, though, especially given that James Maddison had been quite ineffective. That was particularly so at corners.
Postecoglou decided to bring on Pape Matar Sarr for Maddison and Spurs almost immediately overran West Ham. Yves Bissouma had scored within minutes.
How Ange Postecoglou’s pivotal James Maddison decision changed Tottenham’s direction
Tottenham 4-1 West Ham: Postecoglou replacing Maddison at half time changed the game, as the hapless visitors fell apart in this London derby
More from Lopetegui:
“The first is that we lost three points. The second is that we lost a derby and for that we are very sorry for our fans. The third is that if we want to be competitive in the Premier League we need to improve and we need to approach the bad moments with the right mentality.
“To overcome the situation and to become a better team and be able to win more matches. it is going to be a hard week for sure because we are frustrated today. But we have to look forward and be ready for the next match against Man Utd.
“I did not see the action back on tv [Kudus’ red card] but I think that if the referee reviewed it and decided that it was a red card then I cannot have a doubt. Maybe it is another point to improve, when we suffer in the bad moments we keep calm and fight to the end as a team.”
West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui speaking to BBC Match of the Day:
“First of all we are very disappointed for our fans. The summary is that they [Tottenham] deserved to win to be fair. We started well and we deserved to take the lead despite their two big chances. We defended well, attacked well and had more chances too
“In the second half we conceded the second goal in an action where we had many players in the box. We have to defend better in that moment as they are a team that make a lot of internal runs, which we knew, and we have to avoid that.
“After that was the bad moment in the match. It is normal that you can concede the second goal but then you cannot dismiss ten minutes, we lost all of our possibility to stay in the game and be competitive.”
Postecoglou on Maddison substitution:
“We needed more running power in midfield and Pape [Sarr] has lots of that, bags of energy and running. He really helped us to get control of the midfield and that gave us a good platform to go forward. Our general play improved from there and we looked dangerous going forward.”
Reaction from Ange Postecoglou
The Tottenham boss told Match of the Day: “We had to fight hard in the first half. Going a goal down wasn’t ideal but we clawed our way back into it, and it is not easy. West Ham are a big physical side and they have got some speed as well.
“Second half we were outstanding. We upped the tempo and played some quality football, defended when we needed to and got our finishing right.
“I think we had some chances where we could have scored more but if we keep creating the goals will come. We want to be that sort of side that creates lots of chances.”
More from Son Heung-min:
“[The support is] incredible, I have been missing this support for three weeks and I didn’t go to the national team. Playing in front of these fans is a huge honour and I want to give them something back.
“Sometimes injury time [out] can be good, we have such a busy time, that two or three weeks was perfect to recharge myself and today I was feeling really, really good.
“It’s entertaining [football under Postecoglou] but also a lot of pressure. The winger is expected to create chance and get goals. I think it is a lot of joy and pressure which is where we should be.”
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min speaking to TNT Sports:
“To be back on the pitch is a joy, playing with my team-mates in a beautiful stadium is one of my favourite things - especially when you get the result.
“When we conceded the first goal he [manager Ange Postecoglou] wasn’t very happy. He talked about protecting our goal like a home. But generally altogether with the performance I am very happy.
“When I get the ball I try and find the best solution. In a one-on-one situation I’m very on it and most like to be in this situation.
‘Sarr changed the game’ says Kulusevski
A potentially big call from Ange Postecoglou came at half-time when he replaced James Maddison with Pape Matar Sarr. Dejan Kulusevski thinks that was a turning point in the match as Spurs went on to score three more goals and win the game.
He said: “It’s hard to do both things [attack and defend] all the time and it was good to get Pape in, he changed the game for us.”
Post-match reaction from Kulusevski
Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski was awarded the Player of the Match and spoke to TNT Sports saying: “First half was tough because you cannot always be 100% physically. They did good and they scored but, when I scored, I knew we were going to win.
“When we play good we are unbelievable but we have to defend much better. The balance was not good enough, we have to improve that for the next game.
“When everything is clicking we can score four goals.”
Mohammed Kudus sent off after flooring three Tottenham players in wild meltdown
West Ham forward Mohammed Kudus was sent off after taking out three Tottenham players in a matter of seconds in an extraordinary meltdown in the London derby.
Kudus fired West Ham into the lead in the first half but the Hammers imploded after the break, conceding three goals in a seven-minute collapse to trail 4-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The Ghana international appeared to kick out twice at Micky van de Ven after the Spurs defender fell onto the ball, sparking the melee in which Kudus would lose his head.
Mohammed Kudus sent off after flooring three Tottenham players in wild meltdown
Kudus took out Micky van de Ven, Richarlison and Pape Mate Sarr as the West Ham forward lost his head
