Tottenham slip back into old habits to burst Ange-Ball bubble in West Ham loss
Ange Postecoglou stood on the touchline wondering where it had all become so Spursy.
Tottenham have gone from five points clear to four defeats in five games and they have slipped out of the Champions League places. The Ange-Ball bubble has well and truly burst as the fans who were absolutely loving the Tottenham revolution a few weeks back have seen their club slip back into their old ways.
West Ham fought back from a goal down to inflict a fourth defeat in five games and those heady days when it all seemed to be going like a dream now seem a distant memory. Spurs went five clear after winning at Crystal Palace on October 27 - albeit having played one more game - as people were questioning if they were title contenders. Now they are on the slide.
Remember all those players queuing up to insist that those Spursy days are a thing of the past because they had a stronger spirit which meant they would no longer shoot themselves in the foot. Sadly for the Tottenham faithful, they well and truly self imploded as the away end celebrated in delight at their team’s performance which had exactly what Spurs were missing.
It was such a one-sided first half when Cristian Romero put the home side ahead and, frankly, Postecoglou’s men could have been out of sight at half time. But West Ham showed real courage and heart after half time, battled and scrapped as they showed far more determination than Tottenham.
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That is what turned the game around for the Hammers with Jarrod Bowen on target in his seventh consecutive away game before James Ward-Prowse grabbed a rather bizarre winner. The Spurs fans got frustrated, you could hear the groans when Postecoglou who promised to always play on the front foot replaced Giovani Lo Celso for the more defensive-minded Oliver Skipp.
James Ward-Prowse was the match winner for West Ham vs Tottenham (Getty Images)What is going wrong for Tottenham? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Brazil striker Richarlison headed a sitter wide at 1-1 and then more kamikaze defending kicked in and suddenly the away side had nicked all three points. What a night for West Ham who had started so badly and were stung by Spurs’ fast start.
Pedro Porro put over a corner from the right, Cristian Romero rose almost in slow motion because the marking was so slack and the Tottenham centre half rose to head the ball into the far corner. The goal looked in slow motion but Spurs were off to a fast start after just 11 minutes. Lo Celso, Brennan Johnson and Yves Bissouma all went close in a one-sided first half.
But David Moyes must have made a special half time team talk as the visitors were much better in the second half as they mirrored the manager’s desire for hard work and togetherness. They levelled after Mohammed Kudus pushed forward, his shot took a double deflection as it hit Romero and then Ben Davies before the ball fell perfectly for Bowen.
Bowen is such a clinical finisher and did not need asking twice. The England forward took the ball in his stride, controlled it and then dispatched a fierce shot into the roof of the net. Tottenham were left kicking themselves. But then they were really punished. Destiny Udogie’s back pass fell short, keeper Guglielmo Vicario rushed out and dived on the ball to thwart Bowen but only presented it to Ward-Prowse.
Ward-Prowse’s first effort hit the post, the ball came back and the West Ham midfielder stroked it home at the second attempt to send the away fans into dreamland. The home fans filed out in their droves before the final whistle but those who were still inside the stadium shouted their frustrations. How quickly the mood can change.
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