Michail Antonio’s second half strike settled the London derby between West Ham United and Tottenham, with Harry Kane playing on the periphery.
Michail Antonio scored his sixth career Premier League goal against Tottenham to secure three points in the London Derby. The experienced forward was instrumental in a cagey game, proving his worth in such clashes. The result takes West Ham into the top-four and deservedly so, for they have been consistent since the season began.
Tottenham came into the clash after winning their last two games, against Aston Villa and Newcastle United. However, there was always the expectation that the West Ham clash would be an uphill task, and the final result justified their fears. They should have done better in the final third, with Son Heung-min, their only lively attacker.
Harry Kane missed a great chance from a header, drawing a smart save from Lukasz Fabianski to keep the score level. On the opposite end, West Ham failed to create any clear cut chances, although they looked dangerous from set-pieces, dominating Spurs with their physicality.
Antonio settled the game with a well-taken goal from an Aaron Cresswell corner delivery. Ironically it was Kane’s marker as the England captain barely moved a muscle as the ball came to the West Ham striker’s feet. All Antonio had to do was direct the ball past Hugo Lloris, which he did. Here’s how the players fared as West Ham beat Tottenham by a single goal.
David Moyes has now recorded three consecutive Premier League wins against Nuno Espírito Santo.
Hammered. ⚒ pic.twitter.com/ACuqDnWMeZ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 24, 2021
West Ham United
Lukasz Fabianski: 7/10
It was one of Fabianski’s most composed performances, as he kept a well-deserved clean sheet. He made some smart saves, with the one to deny Harry Kane from a header standing out. Swept up loose balls and prevented any possible cut-backs from reaching their desired targets.
Ben Johnson: 7/10
Yet another confident display from the 21-year-old, who looks comfortable in the team. Moreover, there was no indication of this being his third 90-minutes in the space of 8-9 days. Still, plenty to learn to make the right-back slot his own.
Kurt Zouma: 7/10
A rock-solid display from the Frenchman, although, at times, he was fortunate not to get punished for his clumsiness in possession. He almost gave a penalty away clashing with Ndombele but finished the day with a clean sheet.
Angelo Ogbonna: 7/10
Ogbonna continued his impressive performances with a solid display against Spurs. Kept Kane in his pocket all day long, not allowing the England captain any freedom to build his game.
Aaron Cresswell: 8/10
Cresswell is surely one of the best full-backs in the division, especially for his deliveries from set-pieces. Time and again, Spurs found it difficult to contain his balls, as he exploited their weakness to good measure. Got the assist from a corner for Antonio’s goal.
Declan Rice: 6.5/10
The many games he has played recently, especially in Europe, seems to have taken a toll on his performances. Looked leggy and out of his usual stride. Yet, his numbers after the game indicate he had an influential presence from midfield.
Declan Rice's game by numbers vs. Spurs:
100% long ball accuracy
93% pass accuracy
58 touches
40 passes
10 duels won
9 ball recoveries
8 tackles made
7 passes into final ⅓
2 interceptionsAnother classy display. ? pic.twitter.com/zcqIhkwkdu
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 24, 2021
Tomas Soucek: 6/10
Soucek should have given the Hammers the lead when they had the chance with the header. He played a more box-to-box role to his preference and influenced the game to his best abilities. He still has to do more before getting back into the levels of last season.
Said Benrahma: 5/10
The position behind the striker is still somewhat different to Benrahma, as this was yet another game where he couldn’t influence the proceedings. Endured a rather quiet time, and the general feeling is, he should feature more from a wide position.
Jarrod Bowen: 6/10
As was the case with Benrahma, Bowen, too, was not at his best. Looked a bit tired from recent outings, although he managed to keep things ticking in front with his hard-working style. He did trouble Reguilon a bit but was generally ineffective in the final third.
Pablo Fornals: 7/10
Fornals has taken his role on the right side rather seriously. His productivity and industry proved difficult for Royal to handle for most parts. He gives Moyes a new dimension from the right side.
Michail Antonio: 7/10
Even if Antonio’s overall performance was just average, the three points his goal secured means so much more. Tottenham are his favourite side, scoring his sixth against the North Londoners
Michail Antonio has now scored in each of his last three games against Spurs at the London Stadium.
He is inevitable. ⚒ pic.twitter.com/E01OxjWYrb
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 24, 2021
SUBSTITUTES
Manuel Lanzini: 5/10
Lanzini was set to provide some fresh legs, did his job.
Craig Dawson: 5/10
Moyes wanted to shore up the defence as he tried to protect the slender lead. Dawson did a decent job.
Tottenham
Hugo Lloris: 6/10
A comfortable afternoon for the Frenchman who was in control of whatever West Ham had to send his way. Made one good save from a Fornals shot but was helpless with Antonio’s goal, no chance there.
Emerson Royal: 4.5/10
Royal should have imposed himself against Cresswell & co. on the right side; instead, he was given a tough time by Fornals. Struggled to get anywhere near his good form and contribute in attacking the ball.
Cristian Romero: 6/10
Romero seems to be growing in his role as Tottenham’s premier centre-back and did well against tough opposition like West Ham and specifically Antonio. There are slight issues with his temperament, which earned him a booking, although he was feisty all afternoon.
Eric Dier: 6/10
Much like Romero, Dier seems perfectly settled to lead the backline alongside the Argentine. He played well, keeping West Ham attackers at arm’s length for most parts of the game.
Sergio Reguilon: 6/10
Reguilon is considered an attacking full-back and seems to do fine with his tasks. Marauder up and down the pitch while being defensively ok. He needs to create clear-cut chances to provide his side with a different dimension when going forward.
Oliver Skipp: 5.5/10
In a cagey game such as this one, central midfielders need to have a degree of control over proceedings, and Skipp had it. He recycled possession well to give his side the edge going forward and displayed effectiveness rather than adventure.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg: 4.5/10
Hojbjerg usually sits deep, controlling midfield, although, against the Hammers, he tried to be more adventurous and a little out of character. Tasked by Nuno Espirito Santo tasked to transition from defence to attack, but he proved ineffective at times. Faded away with tiredness as the game wore on.
Tanguy Ndombele: 5.5/10
It’s a similar story for Ndombele since he joined Spurs. The midfielder tends to be ineffective in games, and despite all his efforts getting into important positions in the final third, his final contribution begs many questions.
Lucas Moura: 4/10
Moura has developed a reputation to catch the eye with his movements, although his final output begs more questions. He was lively in the first half but looked out of ideas as the game wore on.
Harry Kane: 4/10
Utterly ineffective. The general expectations when facing an opponent he has scored 11 goals against should be to at least keep the opposition goalkeeper busy, but Kane barely troubled Fabianski other than a first-half header. He was caught sleeping when marking Antonio for the goal, barely moving a muscle as the striker nicked the goal easily from a corner.
Son Heung-min: 6/10
Spurs should count themselves fortunate to have renewed his contract at the start of the season. Son is producing consistent displays but needs his teammates to be at his level to bring results for the team. Against the Hammers, he was inventive and looked most likely to be the player who might create something out of nothing.
SUBSTITUTES
Bryan Gil: 5/10
Santo decided to bring on his first substitute so late in the game, probably bringing some width and finding an equaliser. Gil came on and barely contributed.
Giovani Lo Celso: 4/10
A similar substitution to Gil, as Santo tried to change his options in midfield in vain trying to find an equaliser.
Steven Bergwijn: N/A
Did not play enough to a rating.
