Finally, winning two straight games at a crucial time in the season is one of many positives from the 3-1 Tottenham victory over West Ham; here are three more positive takeaways.
Taking and then keeping the lead against a tired yet feisty West Ham side is a positive storyline for Tottenham Hotspur following Spurs’ big Sunday win. We can all remember the comeback from the Hammers last season, and after Said Benrahma halved Spurs lead, it was difficult for fans not to be a little nervous.
Ultimately, the defence held, and Spurs added a late goal to finish the Hammers and secure a significant three points. To go along with Tottenham’s three goals and three points, here are three positive takeaways from the 3-1 win.
Positive 1: Spurs attacking is clicking again
Although Harry Kane and Heung-min Son have been connecting enough to break the Premier League record for combining on goals, the duo has not quite been up to their shared standards. That all changed on Sunday, as Son stepped up big-time, as he, Kane, and Dejan Kulusevski took control of the game for Spurs.
Kane was involved in all three Spurs goals against the Hammers and probably should have had one himself. Son scored two of the three goals for Tottenham and was a significant factor in causing the own-goal opener.
Now with the addition of Kulusevski, who has both an exceptional work rate and a footballing intelligence well beyond his years, helping the 21-year-old fit in remarkably well with the more mature Kane and Son.
Since being held scoreless in the FA Cup by Middlesbrough, Spurs have scored 12 goals and look dangerous going forward and in possession. This unit is coming together at just the right time for Tottenham, as is the defence.
Positive 2: Defence rounding into form for Tottenham
Since conceding five goals in two home defeats to Southampton and Wolves, Spurs have pulled together defensively and conceded only eight in their last eight matches. The pair of eights includes a big win over Manchester City and an equally significant loss to Manchester United.
Take away the five goals conceded to the two Manchester clubs, and Spurs suddenly have only conceded three goals in their last six. Even inclusive of the goals against the Manchester clubs, three shutouts speak to the team’s improving defence over that span.
That improving defence was on display against a quality opponent in West Ham and bent but never broke. Yes, it was disappointing to concede again on a set-piece, but the overall opportunities were limited for the Hammers outside of that goal.
Maybe Mikhail Antonio scores before being substituted off, but delicate finishes have never been his forte. Antonio’s three shots were half of the Hammer’s complete total and demonstrated how limited the opportunities were for West Ham.
Just as the offense is starting to hum, so the Tottenham defense, begins to come into its own.
Positive 3: Tottenham did some table hopping
Maybe the most significant aspect of the win for Tottenham was the symbolism of Spurs stepping up to the challenge of a top-four rival and overcoming. Spurs had a similar opportunity last weekend at Old Trafford and failed to deliver.
At that point, Spurs were eighth in the table behind Wolves on just 45 points. After bouncing back midweek against Brighton, Tottenham beating West Ham is significant and helps Spurs climb the table toward fourth-place Arsenal.
The six points from this week, especially the three from a positional rival, cannot be understated. Tottenham still has a game in hand – the Arsenal match – on both West ham and Wolves, who sit at 7 and 8 on 48 and 46 points.
After playing two matches since the trip to Manchester, Spurs have caught United on games at 29 and has passed them on points with 51 compared to United’s 50. Significant within this climb is the increasing goal difference for Spurs, which now stands at +11, which is fifth-best in the league and better than all of the teams trailing.
Having a competitive goal difference is significant because they have a game to play with Arsenal to equal the Gunners on points. With a two-goal win over West Ham, Spurs increased their goal difference again and are legitimately in the top four race.