London derby
Following the fantastic atmosphere and the incredible evening at the London Stadium on Thursday night a ferocious London derby was exactly the type of game West Ham didn't need. The Hammers return to Premier League action was a fast one with the players straight back into training on Friday afternoon and the quick turnaround appeared to take its toll as they struggled against Tottenham's rapid counter-attacks.
After 120 minutes of high-intensity Europa League action it was no surprise West Ham struggled in the derby and the one outfield change David Moyes had made to freshen the team up backfired spectacularly. Leaving Pablo Fornals out was not the issue but the selection of Arthur Masuaku proved an awful one.
Spurs were constantly in space down the Hammers left side with Masuaku often out of position and struggling with the pace of the game. The DR Congo international offered little in attack and it was a surprise he lasted as long as he did in the team.
The defeat was a costly one in the bid for European football next season and it could signal priorities turning toward the Europa League from now on. However, Moyes is adamant that is not the case and every game is as important as each other with the manager declaring the league his 'bread and butter.' If that is the case the boss needs to find a way of getting his team up for the league matches immediately after the quarter-final ties with Lyon in order not to lose any more ground on the top six.
Ream more: West Ham vs Tottenham player ratings: Pablo Fornals and Said Benrahma shine despite defeat
Much needed break
A few of the West Ham players will head of on international duty with various levels of importance, for those not selected by their country, Moyes will give some time off to rest and recuperate. Tomas Soucek is off for a vital World Cup qualifier with Czech Republic vs Sweden but for the likes of Declan Rice the matches are not so important, West Ham will hope he is handed some kind of rest as England prepare for two friendly fixtures.
For the non-international players, or those like Kurt Zouma and Said Benrahma who have been dropped by France and Algeria respectively, it is time for a well-earned rest ahead of the business end of the season.
A week off before heading back to Rush Green to get back into the groove ahead of some more massive Hammers nights is just what a tired squad needs. With Everton followed by Lyon on the horizon a fresh squad, potentially boosted by the return of Jarrod Bowen and Vladimir Coufal, should be ready and raring to go in April.
It was this international break last year where Rice picked up an injury Moyes believes cost his team Champions League football, and all involved with West Ham will be watching the England matches with fingers crossed, as well as keeping a hopeful eye on Czech Republic's progress and Soucek's fitness.
Zouma's quality will return
No matter what you make of Kurt Zouma's actions off the pitch he has not let it impact his game in recent weeks. His behaviour was despicable and he has rightly been roundly condemned for it and is still facing the consequences.
Just last week the defender was dropped from the France squad for the upcoming internationals with Didier Deschamps being true to his word having last month said his place was in jeopardy. Zouma is not just a squad player for France either, having started their last match and faces stiff competition for a place in the World Champions squad later this year to defend their title.
The early own goal from Zouma was almost the first thing he has done wrong in the ten matches since the video of him attacking a cat emerged. The own goal was more unfortunate than poor anticipation after Son Heung Min missed his kick and the defender was once again unlucky when Son's goal took a slight deflection off him on its way past Lukasz Fabianski. However, he was at fault.
The boo-boys were out in force at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, probably louder than at any other match, but it would be wrong to suggest this was the cause of his disappointing display. Zouma has been a superb signing for West Ham but he had an off day on Sunday, the break afforded to him by France will no doubt do him the world of good to rest and return fresh for the massive run-in ahead.
Masuaku question marks
Masuaku was the one outfield player who should have been fresh and at full pace after playing no part in the victory over Sevilla. Instead, he looked miles off the pace and often out of position despite Moyes playing him in the role the manager thinks suits him best.
The DR Congo international has filled in at left-back when needed, but Moyes was always keen to stress he does not see this as a natural fit but a needs must situation. On Sunday he was selected in the role Moyes believes is his best, left wing-back but he had a torrid afternoon.
Constantly out of position in defence and offering little in attack, bar winning the corner for the Hammers only goal. It was a surprise to see him come out for the second half and five minutes in after an error on the left Moyes had seen enough and called Pablo Fornals back to the bench. Soon after Masuaku came off and how much more we will see of the midfielder this season is open to debate.
After a number of injuries maybe he needs a little more time to get back to full match fitness but if he does not do so soon it could be a while before he starts a match again.
Perspective
The defeat is a tough one to take for West Ham fans coming against a rival not just historically and geographically but in the league table as well. However, after the tremendous scenes of Thursday night, it needs to be taken in perspective.
The loss and performance felt a little inevitable given the mental and physical toll the Europa League win would have taken on the squad. Not only did West Ham play 120 minutes against Sevilla but they did so in a febrile atmosphere and no doubt with all the adrenaline pumping through their veins few players would have slept well after the game.
On Friday morning football.london was at Rush Green with the manager but there was no sign of the players until the afternoon when they arrived for a recovery session. That left just Saturday to prepare for a huge London derby and it is therefore understandable the Hammers looked tired from the first whistle.
West Ham improved in the second half and the defeat was not for a lack of effort. Losing to a rival is always hard to take but after one of the best nights in recent history for the club, there are mitigating circumstances.
The matches around the Hammers next Europa League fixtures are rather kinder than a trip to Spurs, with a visit to Brentford in between the two Lyon ties and the visit of Burnley immediately after the second leg. Coming off the back of an international break West Ham should be back to their physical best and ready to finish the season on a high.
With a potential trip to Barcelona in the semi-finals awaiting there can be little more motivation than that needed for Moyes and his squad.
