Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 West Ham United
Premier League, Sunday 20 March 2022
Two Son Heung-min finishes, and an unfortunate own-goal, saw West Ham United fall to a 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
Kurt Zouma was unlucky to deflect the ball past Łukasz Fabiański on nine minutes, after a Harry Kane cross, while Son fired in his first on 24 minutes to double Spurs’ advantage.
Saïd Benrahma creatively volleyed past Hugo Lloris to give the Irons a way back into the game on 35 minutes, but Son finished the game with a low finish as the match ticked towards added-time, ensuring the points remained in north London.
Amidst a backdrop of early Spring sunshine, the scene was set for an entertaining London derby in Tottenham. It was the away side who initially threatened as Souček fired in a low cross on the right. Ben Davies was on hand to stop the effort, but mistimed his clearance, forcing Lloris into action.
The home side took the lead after just nine minutes, albeit in slightly fortuitous circumstances. The ball was stolen on the left flank and striker Harry Kane came deep, collecting possession before crossing in a dangerous ball.
Son and Zouma both challenged but, in the midst of denying the Spurs forward, Zouma slipped slightly. The ball struck the defender’s knee and cruelly looped into the net to give the home side the advantage.
There was almost an immediate response from David Moyes’ men. Michail Antonio cleverly intercepted a pass from Kane, meant for Eric Dier, and fired a low effort narrowly wide from a very tight angle.
Son came close to doubling Tottenham’s advantage just moments later, clipping the outside of the near post from Dejan Kulusevski’s cross, but the South Korean would find his finish on 24 minutes, firing into the roof of the net to double Spurs’ lead after a through ball from Kane.
A tough opening quarter to the game had West Ham in trouble but a lifeline was grabbed on 35 minutes with our first corner of the afternoon.
Aaron Cresswell, making club career appearance number 500, whipped in the set-piece. Craig Dawson rose highest, sending the ball over to the unmarked Benrahma. The Algerian quickly adjusted his feet and coolly volleyed past Lloris at the near post to half the deficit. A crucial goal and an important time in the game.
Having got the finish to bring them back into the game, the Irons were up for a huge second half of football. More goal work from Benrahma down the left almost set West Ham away, only for Spurs to claim back possession and break.
A big opportunity to level the match came on 56 minutes. Arthur Masuaku swung in a low cross to Manuel Lanzini, who touched down for Cresswell. Rather than shoot, the full-back fired the ball into the area to Antonio, who couldn’t bring his shot under the cross-bar.
The introduction of Andriy Yarmolenko and Pablo Fornals from the bench yielded another West Ham chance just after an hour. The two substitutes combined – the Spaniard firing a ball through for the Ukrainian – but Yarmolenko could only put his effort into the side netting from a good position left of goal.
Tottenham pressed for the killer blow. Kulusevski fired over the bar, while Kane lifted a great opportunity clear of the woodwork as well before Rodrigo Bentacur fired narrowly wide with ten minutes to go.
A West Ham corner caused Tottenham all sorts of problems late on. Cresswell’s delivery was not well cleared and Benrahma was on hand to put back into a dangerous area. Souček was on hand at the back post, but could not steer his effort goal-bound, with Zouma attacking the loose ball in the penalty area. Lloris was able to claim.
The moment would prove to be pivotal as, just a minute later, Tottenham had their third goal and the three points. Lloris booted forward, Kane flicked on, and Son was through to sweep past Fabiański and inflict defeat on the Irons.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris (c), Romero, Dier, Davies, Doherty, Betancur, Højbjerg, Reguilón (Royal 88), Kulusevski (Bergwijn 90), Son (Moura 90), Kane
Subs not used: Gollini (GK), Sánchez, Rodon, Winks, White, Bergwijn, Scarlett
Goals: Zouma og 9, Son 24, 88
West Ham United: Fabiański, Johnson, Dawson, Zouma, Cresswell, Masuaku (Fornals 56), Souček, Rice (c), Lanzini (Vlašić 84), Benrahma, Antonio (Yarmolenko 56)
Subs not used: Areola, Fredericks, Diop, Noble, Král, Perkins
Goal: Benrahma 35
Booked: Dawson
Referee: Anthony Taylor