Mauricio Pochettino's side missed the chance to go top of the Premier League with victory at Upton Park, but all is not lost as they attempt to win their first title in 55 years
The chance was there but Tottenham Hotspur could not take it. Faced with the prospect of going top of the Premier League in a month other than August for the first time ever, Mauricio Pochettino’s title-challengers fluffed their lines.
This was always going to be a tough assignment for Spurs, with West Ham United unbeaten at home since August and still in with a shout of finishing in the top four this term.
Tottenham, though, knew they could take a decisive step towards a first league championship since 1961 with all three points. On a noisy night at Upton Park, the pressure seemed to get to them.
Pochettino’s charges actually enjoyed the night’s first spell of sustained possession, but the Hammers do not seem to mind giving up the ball if it opens up space on the counter-attack.
A quick burst forward and some diligent closing-down from Manuel Lanzini produced the corner from which Michail Antonio opened the scoring in the sixth minute, the winger rising highest to power Dimitri Payet’s outswinging delivery past Hugo Lloris – who probably should have done better – and into the back of the net.
That goal seemed to shock Spurs, who struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances of their own for much of the opening half.
A handful of promising positions in the final third were brought to an abrupt end by an overhit pass or a poor piece of control, with West Ham content to stand off the visitors and get bodies behind the line of the ball.
That was a tactical ploy rather than a lack of ambition from Slaven Bilic’s side, who drove forward in numbers whenever they had the chance.
West Ham were simply too strong and powerful for Spurs for the entirety of the first period, firmer in the challenge and quicker to every loose ball. Mark Noble, Payet and Antonio all went close to doubling their advantage, with Tottenham’s nervousness seeming to increase as time ticked on.
Their first shot on goal did not arrive until the 49th minute, Ben Davies skewing an effort from outside the box well wide, but Spurs did at least begin to ask questions of their opponents after the interval.
Toby Alderweireld and Christian Eriksen both called Adrian into action as the ball began to be circulated with greater crispness and accuracy, while Harry Kane could only prod Christian Eriksen’s cross from the right flank wide of the far post.
An injury to James Collins and the need to contain Tottenham’s ever-growing threat saw West Ham shift to a three-man defence for the final 25 minutes, Cheikhou Kouyate, Reece Oxford and Angelo Ogbonna forming a rather makeshift backline.
Tottenham would have fancied their chances of prising open such a unit before kick-off, but they did not do enough to capitalise and force the equaliser that would have brought them an invaluable point in the hunt for the title.
In the end, it was not to be. West Ham held on pretty comfortably as their rivals from across the capital were unable to add to the 17 points they have already claimed from losing positions this season.
All is not lost for Tottenham, however, with Leicester City still just three points ahead at the summit of the standings.
Arsenal’s shock home defeat to Swansea City means Pochettino’s men also remain three points ahead of their neighbours going into Saturday’s north London derby, a match which has taken on even greater significance after both clubs’ defeats on Wednesday night.
Three points at White Hart Lane this weekend will see Tottenham overtake Leicester, at least until the Foxes take on Watford a few hours later.
They could not rise to the top with a win at Upton Park, but this most open and unpredictable of Premier League campaigns has afforded them another chance to do so within a matter of days. Spurs’ title dream is not over just yet.
- Goal