[West Ham v Tottenham:](https://www.claretandhugh.info/west-ham-v-tottenham-lineup-announced/) FIRST ’45
West Ham could feel very lucky to have gone in at half time on level terms. A disallowed goal for Christian Romero from a corner (of course) should have given Spurs the lead but the referee saw fit to give a foul for a push on Kyle Walker Peters. The official was guilty of completely ignoring the origin of the ‘push’ began two players back, when Mateus Fernandes lost Van Der Den, who he was supposed to mark, and shoved him domino-effect, into the back of Walker Peters – who fell over.
VAR saw fit to look only at the direct incident and the ‘goal’ was chalked off. Fernandes walked a very fine line thereafter, holding and grappling at every Spurs corner that followed. On another day, he’d have given a way a penalty or two: Hopefully someone had a word with him at half time.
The Hammers had their bright points with Diouf’s crossing (and a couple of crunching tackles of Kudus) looking high class. However six plus Spurs corners needed to be defended, all in a nervy, unconvincing manner. Is the defence nervy because of Hermansen? Or vice versa? Either way, conceding so many corners is bound to lead to a clear cut chance at some stage.
Summerville and Paquetá buzzed around but there were too many high, hopeful balls hit forward by the Hammers with _no recognised front man_ to get the knock downs. THAT needed to change in the second half.
SECOND ’45
Two minutes in, Spurs first corner and -Sarr standing unmarked at the back post for a thumping header and West Ham were behind. **Four Hammers** players at the front post, none at the back. Watch the MOTD replay tonight. Not good enough. Worse followed with Soucek sliding in with studs showing on Paulinha and getting a straight red- at which point West Ham promptly switched off. A high ball over and Spurs were two nil up thanks to a pretty impressive debut goal by Bergvall and West Ham looked on the ropes.
West Ham urgently needed a shift to get out of their nosedive: Guilherme and Magassa were readied. Good to see something positive from Potter instead of paralysis, but – erm – how about a goalscorer at two nil down? Summerville and Fernandes departed. These were ‘damage limitation’ substitutions designed to stop the deficit growing worse. And of course, they failed. Nothing changed, poor defending and the third goal went in and the fans started leaving. Make it stop, someone, please. No wins in six at home.
It seemed both sides settled for that result. Hammers players with heads hanging low, stadium 80% empty, another battering. Normal service has been resumed. HOWEVER the stunning double save from Hermansen at the end might just turn _his_ West Ham season in the right direction. There you go, I found a positive on another dark afternoon.