Two sides who have their sights set on securing a European finish this season, West Ham and Tottenham eventually settled for a 1-1 stalemate on Tuesday night.
Although Spurs might have got off to a flying start at the London Stadium as Wales international Brennan Johnson tapped home in the first five minutes, Ange Postecoglou’s men came almost immediately crashing back down to earth.
With Kurt Zouma’s attempt flicking off his back and finding a way past Guglielmo Vicario just 14 minutes after Johnson’s opener, both camps fancied their chances of claiming local bragging rights.
However, while Spurs might have dominated large spells of possession here, neither side could find much of a clinical edge in east London.
Although both sides might have eventually left the London Stadium with a point each, West Ham and Tottenham will feel that they deserved to leave with the victory.
In what was a real derby showdown on Tuesday night, we have taken a look at the main talking points as Spurs watch their Champions League dream take another blow.
A missed opportunity for the Hammers
While David Moyes might have guided West Ham to a maiden Europa Conference League crown last season, it is no secret that the one-time Manchester United boss has found a huge amount of scrutiny over his long-term future in east London.
Although the Hammers might have opened the New Year in the midst of a real Premier League flurry, Tuesday’s hosts have struggled to find any kind of domestic stability in 2024.
Despite clinching what looks set to be a heavyweight Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen, West Ham face a real uphill battle in their bid to clinch another European finish come May.
Suffering an infamous collapse away at Newcastle last weekend as they marked their return from March’s international break with a 4-3 loss at St. James’ Park, Moyes’ men have collected just a pair of wins from any of their previous 12 Premier League showdowns.
Continuing to show their own extended defensive issues and without a Premier League clean sheet to their name since opening the New Year, the Hammers are desperate for some crucial stability.
Tottenham’s issues on the road continue
Once again handed the chance to briefly break back into the Champions League spots, Tottenham knew the importance of making another crucial statement here.
However, although Spurs might have continued to receive a string of praise since Postecoglou’s arrival last summer, Tuesday’s hosts have shown some extended inconsistencies.
Heading into March’s international break with a woeful 3-0 drumming away at Fulham, the former Celtic boss will certainly have a real headache over his side’s rather glaring issues on the road.
Despite springing a real upset on March 10th as they stormed their way to a 4-0 romp against Aston Villa, that is the only Premier League victory that Spurs have collected from any of their previous six showdowns away from north London.
Likewise, failing to collect consecutive Premier League victories on their travels since the end of October, Tottenham’s public slip ups on the road could be the reason that they miss out on a Champions League return.
What is going on with Maddison?
Arriving from Leicester last summer for a fee of £40million, James Maddison certainly made an immediate impact after securing a blockbuster move to north London.
However, while the 27-year-old might have once again featured for England during March’s international break, the ex-Norwich starlet has struggled to find his top level since returning from a long-term ankle injury that he sustained against Chelsea back in November.
Dragged off in the 68th minute against Luton on Saturday and the 70th minute here, Maddison has cut a frustrated figure over the past week.
With Postecoglou confirming that his decision to substitute Maddison was a tactical one and nothing to do with a potential knock, Spurs are desperate for their play-maker to get back to his best.
Only notching a single Premier League strike since getting on the scoresheet against Fulham back on October 23rd, there are question marks over Maddison’s spot in Gareth Southgate’s EURO 24 squad.
Match Report
West Ham: Fabianski, Coufal, Mavropanos, Zouma, Emerson, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Paqueta, Bowen, Kudus, Antonio
Subs: N/A
Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Son
Subs: Lo Celso, Richarlison, Hojbjerg, Sarr, Kulusevski
Goals: West Ham: Zouma (19’) – Tottenham: Johnson (5’)
Yellow Cards: West Ham: Antonio – Tottenham: Johnson, Bentancur, Romero, van de Ven
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Michael Salisbury
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