Spurs player ratings from 2-1 Carabao Cup win over West Ham

4 of 5

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 22: Nikola Vlasic of West Ham United is challenged by Eric Dier of Tottenham Hotspur during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on December 22, 2021, in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Rating the Tottenham defence

Like everywhere else on the pitch, Spurs battled defensively although they made a few mistakes which West Ham was able to capitalize on.

Left-back – Ben Davies – 7

Continuing to own the left-back position under Antonio Conte, Ben Davies had a solid match. Davies was rather active with the ball having more passes than either Eric Dier or Oliver Skipp. Davies combined well with Reguilon and help keep the Tottenham left quiet most of the evening.

Centre-back – Eric Dier – 6

If there were doubters waiting for Eric Dier to have a poor match, Wednesday evening may have been it. Dier was not terrible by any means but it was he who was culpable on the West Ham goal. First, Dier played a poor pass up the middle to no one in particular from in his box. This was easily intercepted by Soucek who quickly advanced and got the ball to Jarrod Bowen. As Dier went to step to Bowen defensively, the English attacker quickly turned and left Dier behind before tucking into the corner. Outside of those two plays, Eric really did play solid but those two moments led directly to the goal.

Right-back – Davinson Sanchez – 7.5

The busiest of the Tottenham field defenders all evening, Davinson Sanchez was outstanding. Only Hojbjerg had more touches and passes than did the Colombian, but Sanchez was more accurate, completing 52 of 55 passes. Sanchez had several aerial wins and clearances and had two big shot blocks. Under duress but seemingly no longer hurried we are seeing a new Sanchez.

Goalkeeper – Hugo Lloris – 8.5

Hugo Lloris was not in our projected XI but likely good he was in the actual starting XI. On a day when West Ham took 15 shots, Hugo Lloris did not make a ton of saves – just four – but those saves and some other moments were big for Tottenham. In the first twenty minutes of the match, Lloris set the tone in the box with three big punches of the ball to avoid danger. Although he did miss a fourth punch and get a little lucky, the tone was still set. Twice Lloris was able to tip the ball over the bar at the last moment to prevent header goals. Strong in the air and with the blocks Hugo was huge for Spurs in the win.