Tottenham scores twice in frantic five minutes to top West Ham 2-1

By Aaron Coe | Dec 22, 2021

Tottenham Hotspur's Dutch midfielder Steven Bergwijn celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English League Cup quarter-final football match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on December 22, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham in the Carabao Cup was a tale of two halves, that featured a frantic five minutes which decided the 2-1 Spurs win.

After having been the counter-attacking team for the majority of the 90 minutes against Liverpool, in the first half against West Ham, Tottenham looked to be the team on the front foot. Spurs were working to dominate possession, moving West Ham who was comfortable sitting back defensively.

Spurs vs Hammers a tale of two halves

In a match that ended where West Ham had almost 58% of the possession overall, Spurs actually held more possession in the first half, with 55% of the ball according to whoscored.com. It was in the first half where Spurs also had eight of their 10 shots overall. Alternatively, West Ham took 10 of their 17 shots in the second period, where they commanded 70% of possession.

However, that possession and those shots produced few true big chances as Spurs worked to pressure and push the Hammers consistently. Whereas last season Spurs were truly parking the bus in these situations, on Wednesday the team defended the lead with vigor and purpose. It was an excellent defensive effort in the second half from Tottenham, after five frantic minutes determined the outcome in the first half.