Tottenham vs West Ham 18 October 2020

By Michael PC

Another reminder that anything can happen in football and why it’s so important to never lose hope until the final whistle.

KEY OBSERVATIONS –
1. If there’s one important thing this game showed, it’s that this group has character and are willing to fight for the badge and the manager.

2. The substitutions in terms of who came on were spot on, and I loved the fact that Moyes chose to bring on attacking players when we were down 3-0

3. That being said, still annoyed that he waits till at least around the 75^th minute to make changes, would love him to be more pro-active with subs.

PLAYER RATINGS –

Fabianski – 6.5 – Yes, we conceded 3 goals, but there is absolutely nothing Fab could have done about any of them (you could argue he didn’t cover the far post enough for Son’s goal, but that’s being way too nitpicky). Did not let the goals affect him mentally, made brave charges out to collect the ball in the second half and some signature great saves as well

Balbuena – 6.5 – Yes, I know he scored the brilliant header to get our comeback rolling, but his lack of pace showed when Son turned him easily before scoring his goal. I’d still have Diop in there above Balbuena (Without the goal, 6)

Ogbonna – 5.5 – Uncharacteristically poor today, conceded a lot of unnecessary fouls and completely lost Kane which led to him getting a free header to give them their third goal. Bale also turned him inside out when he ran at him and if Bale had been match fit, that was our comeback kissed goodbye. 

Cresswell – 7 – Has really flourished in his role as a left centre back, which makes up for his lack of pace and lets us utilize his great deliveries into the box without risking defensive holes because we’re playing him. Beyond the great deliveries which led directly and indirectly to our first and third goal respectively, nearly scored a goal from a freekick as well. 

Coufal – 6 – Yes, where the heck was Vlad when Spurs scored their first. Was also caught in no man’s land when Reguilon put in the cross for Kane’s 2nd. Other than those 2 gaffes though, he worked really hard, both defensively and offensively and that determination lead to our 2nd goal (Without the assist, 5.5)

Masuaku – 5.5 – Nothing notable to say about his performance, was a typical average Masuaku performance where he showed his usual strengths and usual weaknesses. The yellow card he received was harsh though, I feel.

Rice – 6 – If you were going to ask me rate him on both halves, Rice’s first half performance would have been a 5, was really shoddy and kept leaving holes in between him and the defence which the Spurs players really took advantage of. Was back to being the solid rock in the second half and was really instrumental in us gaining confidence with possession after he grew back into the game, showing how he’s more than just a destroyer with some great distribution and control as well. 

Soucek – 5.5 – Was overrun along with Rice in the midfield in the first half, but got his bearings somewhat in the second. His physicality helped out as it usually does, but was missing his usual sharpness

Bowen – 6 – Industrious as usual, even played a really good ball in for Antonio around the half hour mark which Antonio should really have done better with. But other than that, was not as influential as he usually is for us

Fornals – 6 – The slower yet more technical version of Bowen, and his performance tonight can said to be the same. His deliveries range wildly from poor to really good.

Antonio – 6 – Was isolated a lot and also wasted a few chances here and there, but he more than makes up for it by working his arse off and also creating chances and always being an outlet for us in attack, as usual.

Substitutes:

Lanzini – 7 – Not only did he score the most dramatic equalizer to a West Ham London derby ever (that I can remember of for now atleast), showed a lot of really nice touches and flashes of flair that have been missing in months, some would even say years, now. Really hope this brings Manu back to his best soon. I’d really love for us to have genuine competition in that area.

Yarmolenko – 6 – Didn’t really have time to leave much of an impact, but was involved principally in the buildup for our 2nd goal and kept the ball really well when he did get a hold of it

Snodgrass – Supersub – Didn’t play long enough for me to give him a rating, but the fact that it was Snoddy who won the freekick that eventually led to Lanzini’s screamer of a goal means I will acknowledge his impact with a Supersub badge