Spurs get Hammered

[bennythedip2]

West Ham 1-0 Tottenham: Title firmly in Chelsea's grasp (May 05 2017)


Tottenham's title hopes were dealt a decisive blow as Manuel Lanzini's strike gave West Ham a memorable 1-0 win over their London rivals.

Spurs needed a victory to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea but will now find themselves seven points adrift, with only three games to play, if the Blues beat Middlesbrough at home on Monday.

Such has been their impressive pursuit of Chelsea that Mauricio Pochettino's side arrived at the London Stadium looking for a 10th straight Premier League win.

Few people in either camp would have foreseen any other outcome, either, with West Ham limping towards the finishing line of what has been a torrid season.

Yet it seems there is nothing like a home game against Tottenham to rouse the Hammers and their fans - just a year ago a 1-0 defeat at Upton Park put a major dent in Spurs' eventually unsuccessful title bid.

For all the talk of the lack of atmosphere at West Ham's new home, it crackled early on as some old-fashioned derby tackles went in.

And as Lanzini smashed home the second-half winner, a roar went up like nothing heard at the former Olympic Stadium since Mo Farah came down the final straight in 2012.

For all that it meant to Tottenham, West Ham manager Slaven Bilic had the look of a man with the weight of the world removed from his shoulders as his side ensured they are mathematically safe from relegation.

The victory could also go a long way to keeping Bilic in a job next season.

But for the second season in a row it looks as though Tottenham's title dreams have been shattered, as just two wins for Chelsea will take the title back to Stamford Bridge.

West Ham's game plan was clear from the off, to soak up the Spurs pressure and hopefully hit them on the break.

It almost paid off after just five minutes when a slick counter saw Andre Ayew play in Lanzini but the Argentinian midfielder dragged his shot across goal.

However, the Spurs attack suddenly burst into life when Harry Kane's low drive was beaten out by Adrian, Dele Alli's follow-up was blocked and Adrian recovered to make another fine save to deny Kane.

West Ham's Spanish keeper then frustrated the visitors from the corner for good measure when he kept out Eric Dier's header.

Tottenham hearts were in their mouths moments later when Lanzini raced clear again and was cleaned out by Hugo Lloris on the edge of the area, but the Spurs keeper did get the ball first and referee Anthony Taylor took no action.

Ayew missed a glorious chance to put West Ham ahead after the break when he skied Sam Byram's cut-back from 18 yards.

For Tottenham, the uncharacteristally quiet Christian Eriksen hit a weak shot at Adrian, before the Spaniard tipped a Heung-Min Son shot round his post

But the goal West Ham - and Chelsea - craved arrived in the 65th minute, when Spurs did not deal with Aaron Cresswell's cross.

Byram and Ayew helped the ball on until it rolled to the feet of Lanzini, who gleefully crashed it past Lloris from six yards out.

Spurs pressed for an equaliser but came up short, which looks like being the story of their season for the second year running.

Sky Bet have pushed Tottenham right out to 25/1 to win the title, with Chelsea now rated near certainties to lift the trophy at 1/100.

The Blues are 3/1 third favourites behind the Manchester clubs to win next season's Premier League title, with Spurs next in the betting at 9/1.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino on not giving up: "We're still fighting. We are disappointed with the result. We need to wait now for the Chelsea result and we still have three games to go.

"I think you all know now it is more difficult to try to catch Chelsea but we need to try to the end. Always."

On Spurs' performance at the London Stadium: "We started the second half a little bit sloppy and we conceded a lot of space to them. When you are fighting for the title you need to try not to concede this type of goal.

"And then it was so difficult, they play so deep with 5-4-1. It was difficult to find the space. And yes a little bit unlucky. I think we didn't deserve to lose. We lose and now we move forward.

"It was a difficult game . It wasn't the same performance we played last week and all the players are disappointed about that. Sometimes in football the situation happens. Now we must try to be ready for the next game.

"The reality is that we didn't score, not that we had a bad performance."

On Spurs' season: "At the moment it is so disappointing and so difficult to say it has been a very good season. It's the second season we are fighting for the Premier League. Now is the time rest, to analyse the game and be ready for the next time."

Slaven Bilic on a fine West Ham performance: "We deserved to win. We had a game plan, but the way we did it was magnificent. A great team display in terms of character and determination.

"To beat a team like Spurs you need more than that and we also showed quality.

"It was an important one for them and us, and under the lights on a Friday night, against them - you can't beat that feeling."

[Tony2005]

Dele Ali waving goodbye to another season of no trophies.....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uugRRiuGEXM