Wow, what a win. I normally try and remain neutral in my match reviews and previews but that’s just not possible today. That first half was probably the most dominating performance I’ve seen from West Ham all season, Spurs just couldn't get going. Antonio netted his fourth goal in as many home games in the seventh minute, a fantastic header from the near post from an equally good Payet corner. Then it was just attack after attack, chance after chance; we were playing well, but it must be said that Spurs were playing poorly. The pressing from Noble and Obiang seemed to unsettle a Spurs midfield without regulars Alli and Dembele and they just didn't seem capable to get any sort of attack going. Credit to Hugo Lloris as well who kept them in it, with a great save from a Mark Noble 25 yard rocket being worthy of a mention. In truth, it was disappointing to only be 1-0 up going in after 45 minutes and I was worried we would pay the price. Spurs didn't even manage a shot in the first half while we had 7, not to mention the disallowed goal for offside - that just shows how one sided it was.
Spurs are a very good team though and the way they came out in the second half showed that. Both teams had good chances and it was a fairly equal second 45. It didn’t help West Ham that James Collins went off injured meaning that 17-year-old Reece Oxford had to come on for him at centre back, while Ogbonna spent almost the whole half limping. Meanwhile Dele Alli’s introduction for Spurs made a big difference going forward for them. Harry Kane had a great couple of chances, one which should have been called offside and produced a great save from Adrian while there were a couple of testing long shots rifled in which the Spaniard had to deal with too. Payet’s delivery was consistently brilliant though and Antonio probably should have doubled his tally with a half volley from one of the Frenchman’s free kicks. That was an incredibly nervy 45 minutes though and I spent the last ten minutes with my head in my hands, more listening to the commentary than watching.
Slaven Bilic has to get immense credit for tonights win, with an injury/suspension struck defence, he went with the formation of 3-5-2, with Kouyate joining Collins and Ogbonna at Centre Back and allowing Antonio and Cresswell to wreck havoc down the wings. Noble and Obiang then got back when needed and pressed superbly in the middle of the park while Payet and Lanzini seemed to be given free roles, with them popping up everywhere in Tottenham’s half while Emenike was up top. It was also great to see him showing faith in Reece Oxford as well, bringing him on instead of Alex Song or even Doneil Henry. Carroll provided a good alternative when he came on, as did Diafra Sakho who it was great to see coming back from a long injury.
A win tonight for Tottenham would have seen them take top spot, but Arsenal also losing will at least be a tiny positive for them. Leicester, meanwhile, must be laughing. West Ham are now just one point behind fourth place Man City (although they do have a game in hand) and with the way this season’s going, why not dare to dream of a Champions League spot?