West Ham United (0) 1 v 0 (0) Tottenham Hotspur
72 Antonio, assist Cresswell
Yellows: Soucek, Ogbonna Romero (Referee Paul Tierney)
Played Sunday 24 October 2021 at The London Stadium, attendance not declared.
It may have been closely fought, and Tottenham Hotspur may have “been in control” having 62% possession, but unless you score one more goal than your opponents you can not win matches. That goal came from West Ham United’s Michail Antonio, whose good form from last season has continued, in the second half. It was his 10th goal in 10 games against the Lilywhites. The media were quick to put the blame on Harry Kane, his marker, when the Jamaican international was first to the ball from Aaron Cresswell’s corner kick ahead of the England Captain. Kane had one of Spurs’ only four efforts on target, a header bound for the top corner well saved by Lukasz Fabianski.
The result means West Ham United rose to 4th place in the Premier League (PL) 5 points behind 7-0 winners Chelsea at the top. Spurs slip to 6th with 15 points and a still negative goal difference thanks to their 4 Premier London derbies (PLDs) defeats with 10 against, and only one point above Arsenal (10th) and equally beleaguered Manchester United (7th) their next PL opponents.
Elsewhere congratulations to Arsenal Women’s Beth Mead on becoming the first England Women’s player to score a hat-trick at Wembley Stadium, (against Northern Ireland in a Women’s World Cup qualifier). She scored again with one of England’s 10 goals away to Latvia in the same competition. She will be in action on Sunday 31 October 2021 for Arsenal Women v Brighton Women in one of the Women’s FA Cup Semi-Finals, the other being Chelsea Women v Manchester City Women, a clash of the big spenders.
There are no more PLDs matches in October but they return on Sunday 7 November with Arsenal v Watford the only PLDs Club Spurs have beaten and a weekend big winner away to Everton under new man Claudio Ranieri.
Until next time, “Keep Safe” and enjoy your football, Andrew at PLDs.