Son Heung-Min returned with a bang as Tottenham produced a swashbuckling second-half performance to thump 10-man West Ham 4-1 in a thrilling London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The home side dominated the majority of the first half but fell behind on 18 minutes when Mohammed Kudus converted Jarrod Bowen’s cut back.
Tottenham continued to probe and deservedly pulled level prior to the break when Dejan Kulusevski’s shot hit both posts before crossing the line.
Ange Postecoglou’s men turned on the after-burners following the interval with Yves Bissouma and an own goal from Jean-Clair Todibo putting them in charge with two goals in five minutes.
Son then moved the game beyond the visitors on the hour when he marked his first appearance since a three-game absence with a hamstring problem with a surging run and finish.
West Ham’s misery was compounded late on when VAR recommended an on-field review that led to Kudus receiving a straight red card for his role in an unsavoury incident involving both sets of players.
The result means Tottenham rise to sixth place, five points off the summit with the rest of the weekend’s action still to come.
West Ham are five points further back in 14th.
Next up, Tottenham host AZ in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday before visiting Crystal Palace on Sunday. West Ham are at home to Manchester United.
Talking Point – Ange gets the response he wanted as West Ham collapse
Ange Postecoglou described the surrender of a two-goal interval lead in the defeat at Brighton ahead of the international break as the worst performance in his time at the club.
The Spurs boss wanted a response here, but was left shaking his head again when The Hammers broke the deadlock to make it just one shut out in 15 Premier League derbies under his leadership.
However, Tottenham’s attack has never been a source of concern and this time his team produced an exceptional second-half display to put The Iron to the sword and banish the memory of that 45-minute collapse at The Amex Stadium.
Indeed, this was in stark contract to that second half showing as the tactical tweak to substitute James Maddison at the break worked perfectly and means Tottenham’s recent form – second half at Brighton aside – continues to suggest they are very much on the rise.
As for West Ham, the pressure will surely continue to mount on Julen Lopetegui with just two Premier League wins from eight outings despite a heavy outlay during the summer.
Player of the match
Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham). The midfielder is revelling in a more central role and took the game by the scruff of the neck to lead his team back along the comeback trail. The Swede has enjoyed an excellent season so far with TNT Sports expert Glenn Hoddle later describing the 24-year-old’s display as the best he has seen from Kulusevski in a Spurs shirt.
Player ratings
TOTTENHAM: Vicario 7, Porro 7, Romero 7, Van de Ven 7, Udogie 8, Bissouma 8, Maddison 6, Kulusevski 9, Johnson 7, Solanke 7, Son 7. Subs: Sarr 7, Werner 6, Bentancur n/a, Richarlison n/a, Gray n/a.
WEST HAM: Areola 5, Wan-Bissaka 5, Todibo 5, Kilman 6, Emerson 5, Rodriguez 5, Soucek 5, Paqueta 5, Kudus 3, Bowen 6, Antonio 6. Subs: Soler 5, Summerville 5, Alvarez 5, Mavropanos 5.
Match Highlights
18’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 0-1 West Ham: (Kudus). The visitors snatch the lead as Kudus arrives at the back post to fire home from Bowen’s cut back on the right.
36’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 1-1 West Ham: (Kulusevski). The hosts are level as a rapid break ends with Maddison feeding Kulusevski who sees his shot tipped on to the near post before bouncing across the line and in off the other post.
52’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 2-1 West Ham: (Bissouma). The Lilywhites take the lead as Bissouma arrives on cue to steer a low shot beyond Areola after smart work down the left involving Son and Udogie.
55’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 3-1 West Ham: (Todibo own goal). Areola blocks Son’s low shot on to Jean-Clair Todibo, who can’t react quick enough as it deflects off him and into his own net.
60’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 4-1 West Ham: (Son). The Spurs skipper is left free to surge down the left, cut into the area and rifle a low shot past Areola at his near post.
87’ – WEST HAM RED CARD! The referee is told to go to the monitor. He reviews Kudus’ overall conduct in an incident where he pushed van de ven in the face and then another Spurs player. The official cancels the yellow before brandishing a straight red.
Key Stats
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