Daily WHUFC News - 6th May 2017

Derby delight for Lanzini and Hammers
WHUFC.com

9:23pm, Friday 5 May - a moment in time which every Hammer inside London
Stadium on Friday will remember in the future and say "I was there".

For it was a moment - a brilliant moment - which summed up what West Ham
United is all about, and in turn sealed an unforgettable 1-0 victory over
title contenders Tottenham Hotspur. That title challenge though, along with
Spurs' impressive winning run in the Premier League, is now probably over,
and never will the home fans let Friday's visitors forget that.

But certainly never to be forgotten is Manuel Lanzini's winner, bagged half
an hour from time, the only goal in a ferocious fixture. The first half was
everything you'd expect from a hotly-contested London derby - feisty and
fiery. The Hammers, roared on by the deafening atmosphere inside London
Stadium, started on the front foot and nearly scored after just six minutes.
Manuel Lanzini was released by a superb Andre Ayew curled pass and, bearing
down on goal, the Argentine could only fire wide with his left foot. The
next 15 minutes saw West Ham look the more promising, though it was Spurs
who were to come closest to breaking the deadlock. Two of Tottenham's young
starlets - Harry Kane and Dele Alli - were denied as Mauricio Pochettino's
men looked to keep their title hopes alive.

First, Kane's long-range effort was fumbled by Adrian, and though Winston
Reid blocked the follow-up from Alli, Kane hit one at goal for a third time
in as many seconds and the Spaniard in goal cleverly flicked over with his
foot. The resulting corner also spelled trouble for the Hammers - Eric Dier
met the Christian Eriksen delivery with a fierce header, but Adrian was
again on hand to deny him. A ferocious fixture between two rivals - there
was always likely to be controversy, and that came on 27 minutes when West
Ham felt Spurs should have had a man sent off. Skipper Mark Noble, returning
to the side, chipped through for Lanzini who again raced clear, and out came
Hugo Lloris to stop the midfielder in his tracks - literally. The Frenchman
caught some of the ball, but with both feet in the air at the point of
contact and as last man, Slaven Bilic on the touchline was not happy.

As they did in the first, West Ham started the second half on the front
foot. Seven minutes in, a great chance presented itself when Sam Byram
darted down the right and cut back for Ayew, but the Ghanaian fired over
with the goal at his mercy. For the next ten minutes, it was all Spurs as
they dominated the ball and looked dangerous going forward. Adrian was again
tested just after the hour mark when he tipped Son Heung-Min's attempt round
the post. Then was the moment, the moment that sent London Stadium
absolutely wild. Cresswell's ball in from the left evaded everyone and it
looked as though the chance was gone. Byram, alive as ever, kept the ball in
play though and, cutting it back to Ayew, the ball fell on a plate for
Lanzini to smash in. Euphoria. He loves scoring in London derbies does The
Jewell, whose third goal in four matches against Tottenham was also his
ninth strike in an all-London Premier League clash. Time to wait. The
elusive final whistle did eventually come, but not before the Hammers nearly
extended their lead.

Substitute Ashley Fletcher went clear in injury time and nearly - so nearly
- grabbed a second. Little did it matter. Because soon after, Anthony Taylor
put the whistle to his lips and off went the roof at London Stadium. What
scenes, and what a night. And it all belonged to West Ham United.

West Ham United: Adrian, Fonte, Reid, Collins, Byram, Noble, Kouyate,
Cresswell, Lanzini (Fernandes 90+2), Ayew (Snodgrass 83), Calleri (Fletcher
89).
Subs not used: Randolph, Nordtveit, Feghouli, Rice.
Bookings: Noble 16, Reid 38, Lanzini 66, Byram 71

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Walker (Trippier 80), Alderweireld, Vertonghen
(Dembele 67), Davies, Wanyama (Janssen 73), Dier, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Kane.
Subs not used: Vorm, N'Koudou, Sissoko, Wimmer.
Bookings: Walker 12, Tripper 90+4

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West Ham United 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
By Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport

Tottenham's pursuit of Premier League leaders Chelsea was dealt a big blow
as Manuel Lanzini's fierce finish earned victory for London rivals West Ham.
Spurs could have narrowed the gap to a point with victory at London Stadium,
but were well below par as the Hammers helped Chelsea close on the title.
Hammers keeper Adrian made first-half saves from Harry Kane and Eric Dier
before Lanzini smashed in a loose ball. Chelsea need two wins from their
final four games to be crowned champions. Tottenham must hope the Blues slip
up in a favourable-looking run-in, which includes home games against three
sides in the bottom seven.
Antonio Conte's side will secure the title on Friday, 12 May if they beat
both Middlesbrough and West Brom. The Spurs players looked disconsolate as
they trudged off the pitch, their heads bowed, while their West Ham
counterparts - and the home fans - took great delight in harming their
neighbours' title ambitions. "It was already going to be hard before, so now
it is going to be even harder," said Dier. Follow all the reaction to West
Ham's win against Tottenham

Tottenham made the short trip to east London knowing they could heap
pressure on Chelsea before their game against Middlesbrough on Monday.
Mauricio Pochettino's side were going for a 10th straight Premier League
win, and headed into the game boosted by a 2-0 win against arch-rivals
Arsenal last weekend.
But they lacked invention against a well-drilled West Ham side, who won
against one of the top eight sides for the first time in 15 attempts this
season. Spurs had scored 71 goals in their previous 34 league games, a tally
bettered only by Chelsea, but only briefly tested Adrian with two quick-fire
efforts in the first half. Kane's long-range shot was diverted wide by the
Spaniard's left boot, before the home keeper showed quick reactions to block
Dier's near-post header from the resulting corner. Once the Hammers went
ahead through Lanzini, the confidence of the visitors appeared to sap. Spurs
trailed 2-1 against the Hammers after 89 minutes at White Hart Lane earlier
in the season, only to win 3-2. That never looked like happening at a
raucous London Stadium. Their attacks lacked conviction, only Christian
Eriksen going close with a 25-yard effort which flew past the right-hand
post, as West Ham saw out the final few minutes to seemingly ruin Spurs'
quest for a first title since 1961. "We are still fighting," said
Pochettino. "We must wait but it is now more difficult."

Bilic future secured by derby win?

Hammers manager Slaven Bilic's future has come under scrutiny during a
season in which they have rarely threatened to match last year's
seventh-placed finish.
But nights like these, when West Ham showed they can compete with the
Premier League's best, should go a long way to convincing owners David
Sullivan and David Gold that he is the right man to take the club forward.
Bilic, 48, enjoyed an excellent debut campaign after replacing Sam
Allardyce, but this season has had to carefully handle the acrimonious
departure of star player Dimitri Payet, and the long-awaited move to the
former Olympic Stadium. Crucially, he appears to retain the support of his
players and many Hammers fans. "He has my full backing, he is a great man,"
said skipper Mark Noble. Victory meant the Hammers passed the 40-point mark,
mathematically ensuring their Premier League survival, as they moved into
ninth - their joint-highest position of the campaign. Asked if the win helps
secure his future, Bilic said: "I don't care. When my team is playing like
this, I'm happy. "I think I'm doing a good job. I don't like to moan but we
have had many obstacles during this season which are quite rare in
football."

What's next?

Tottenham do not play again until Sunday, 14 May, when they host Manchester
United at 16:30 GMT - and by then the title might already have gone to
Stamford Bridge. Nevertheless, it will be an emotional occasion as it is
Spurs' final home game at White Hart Lane.

West Ham also have a nine-day break, returning to action when Liverpool
visit London Stadium at 14:15.

Spurs don't love May...

Tottenham have lost their past three Premier League games in May and lost
just three of 34 matches between August 2016 and April 2017
West Ham have now won three of their past four home Premier League games
against Spurs, losing one
Lanzini has three Premier League goals against Spurs - only against Crystal
Palace (four) does he have more
West Ham have kept three consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the
first time since December 2015
Andre Ayew has been involved in six goals in his past 11 Premier League
games (four goals, two assists)
This was Spurs' first Premier League defeat to a side who started that day
in the bottom of the half of the table since losing 5-1 to Newcastle United
in the final match of last season
Three of Spurs' past five away Premier League defeats have come when Anthony
Taylor has refereed (also Newcastle and Liverpool)

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West Ham 1-0 Tottenham: Manuel Lanzini goal shatters Spurs' title hopes
By Gerard Brand
Last Updated: 05/05/17 10:08pm
SSN

West Ham left Tottenham's Premier League title hopes in tatters as Manuel
Lanzini's second-half goal secured a 1-0 victory at the London Stadium on
Friday Night Football. Lanzini's fired home from close range with 25 minutes
remaining following some pinball in the Spurs area as they failed to clear
Aaron Cresswell's cross.
The result means Chelsea can win the Premier League by winning their next
two games, at home to Middlesbrough on Monday Night Football and at West
Brom next Friday, before Spurs next play at home to Manchester United on
Nissan Super Sunday. West Ham had goalkeeper Adrian to thank for keeping
Spurs at bay throughout the game, producing superb saves from Harry Kane and
Heung-Min Son in both halves, as the hosts held on for a vital win over
their London rivals.
West Ham now have 42 points, and are mathematically safe from relegation.
After a gritty opening 20 minutes, the first big chance fell to Spurs and
Kane, who was denied twice by Adrian. First, his 20-yard effort was fumbled
by the Hammers stopper, before Dele Alli's rebound was blocked and Kane's
second effort was superbly turned over the bar by Adrian's foot. From the
resulting corner, Adrian then tipped away Eric Dier's header with a smart
save as Spurs came to life.
But West Ham had chances of their own and went close when Lanzini was played
through by Mark Noble, only for Hugo Lloris to rush out and just about get
enough on the ball outside the box to avoid a foul and red card. With Lloris
grounded, Cheikhou Kouyate tried to lob the ball into the net, but could not
hit the target from the edge of the box. Christian Eriksen wasted a good
chance on the hour mark, poking straight at Adrian after a fine Tottenham
move involving Son and Kyle Walker, before Adrian tipped wide Son's effort
from 20 yards towards the bottom corner. But it was the hosts who took the
lead on 65 minutes through Lanzini, who lashed home low from five yards out
after Sam Byram and Andre Ayew had kept the ball alive in the box from a
Cresswell cross. Tottenham threatened to fall apart after falling behind, as
Toby Alderweireld's mistake in defence allowed Jonathan Calleri a clear
sight at goal, but his effort was saved brilliantly by Lloris. Eriksen shot
just wide from range late on, before Ashley Fletcher missed a late
one-on-one on the counter attack, but it ended 1-0 to West Ham, a Premier
League-high seventh win by that scoreline this season.

Player ratings

West Ham: Adrian (8), Fonte (7), Reid (7), Collins (7), Byram (7), Kouyate
(7), Noble (7), Cresswell (7), Lanzini (8), Ayew (7), Calleri (7)
Subs: Snodgrass (NA), Fletcher (NA), Fernandes (NA)

Tottenham: Lloris (6), Walker (4), Alderweireld (5), Vertonghen (5), Davies
(5), Dier (6), Wanyama (6), Son (5), Eriksen (5), Alli (5), Kane (5)
Subs: Dembele (5), Janssen (5), Trippier (NA)

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West Ham fans receive medical attention after advertising hoarding collapses
during celebrations against Spurs
Lanzini's winner sparked wild scenes inside the London Stadium as the
Argentine celebrated in front of the stand
The Mirror
BYLIAM PRENDERVILLE
22:11, 5 MAY 2017UPDATED22:12, 5 MAY 2017

West Ham supporters required medical attention after an advertising hoarding
collapsed during wild celebrations against Tottenham. The Hammers picked up
an excellent victory in the London derby as Manuel Lanzini struck a dramatic
winner. It is arguably the Hammers' best performance since moving to the
London Stadium to all but end Spurs' title chances. Lanzini's winner sparked
wild scenes inside the London Stadium as the Argentine celebrated in front
of the stand. And as fans rushed to congratulate the playmaker, the
advertising hoarding collapsed. Hammers players Cheikhou Kouyate, Jose
Fonte and Jonathan Calleri assisted fans on the ground alongside the London
Stadium stewards. Medical staff were quick to the scene and attended to
those injured.
On the result, Mark Noble said: "You don't need a team talk for Spurs. You
know what it is about. "We all know beating Spurs is a huge result. We can
end the season on a high note." "We are behind the manager. We have all had
stuff to deal with and the players showed tonight we are all behind him."

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West Ham 1-0 Tottenham PLAYER RATINGS as Manuel Lanzini stars in a strong
team effort from the Irons
The impish movement of the Italian wreaked havoc in a impressive showing
from Slaven Bilic's side
The Mirror
BYDARREN LEWIS
21:55, 5 MAY 2017UPDATED22:02, 5 MAY 2017

West Ham got the better of their fierce London rivals on Friday night.
Manuel Lanzini's blasted strike from close range was enough to all-but end
Tottenham's tilt at the title in a spirited affair. Lanzini was in the
right place at the right time after the ball bounced around the penalty area
following a cross from Aaron Cresswell to smash it home from six yards. The
victory puts the Hammers, at one stage this season fearing a relegation
fight, up to ninth in the Premier League while Spurs fall four points behind
Chelsea, who have a game in hand Darren Lewis rates the players'
performances at London Stadium.

WEST HAM
Adrian 8
Fine saves from Alli and Dier during a difficult first half.

Byram 6
Tough night with Davies and Son targeting down the Spurs left.

Fonte 7
Good understanding with his back line to keep Spurs out.

Collins 7
Brave, no-nonsense defending to defy the freescoring Spurs front line.

Reid 7
Unlucky to be booked for a first-half tackle on Wanyama.

Cresswell 7
Always alert enough to keep tabs on Kyle Walker. Good cross for the goal.

Noble 6
Rightly booked for a very naughty first-half challenge on Dier.

Kouyate 8
So much strength carrying the fight to Spurs from midfield.

Ayew 8
Lovely first-half ball to set up Lanzini early. Good work for the goal.

Lanzini 9
His impish movement caused Spurs all sorts of problems. Deserved his goal.

Calleri 6
Lightweight as usual. No real impact on the Spurs defence.

TOTTENHAM

Lloris 6
Good handling. Rightly not booked for tackle on Lanzini. No chance with the
goal.

Walker 6
Booked early and not one of his best displays in a Spurs shirt.

Alderweireld 6
Unusually AWOL as West Ham cashed in to score.

Vertonghen 6
Replaced soon after the goal. Not a great night.

Davies 6
Able to push forward to supplement attacks but not enough penetration.

Wanyama 8
Imperious in midfield as always. Nimble-footed but strong in the tackle.

Dier 7
Took quite a whack from Noble early on. Did well overall.

Son 6
Lots of creativity but unable to find a way through.

Eriksen 6
Always looking to thread the killer pass through. Unable to though.

Alli 6
Head never dropped despite West Ham's stubborn defiance.

Kane 6
Went close twice in succession. Always a threat. As you'd expect.

SUBS

Dembele for Vertonghen (67) 6
Janssen for Wanyama (73) 6

Man of the Match: Lanzini

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West Ham 1-0 Tottenham: Lanzini strike stuns Spurs and takes Chelsea closer
to title - 5 things we learned
Chelsea are now just two wins from the title after Spurs suffered their
first defeat in 10 Premier League matches
The Mirror
BYADRIAN KAJUMBA
21:54, 5 MAY 2017UPDATED22:02, 5 MAY 2017


Tottenham's title dreams were left in tatters after they were stunned by
West Ham. Manuel Lanzini's second half goal left Spurs shell-shocked as they
blew the chance to pile the pressure on league leaders Chelsea. Lanzini's
second half strike was cheered from the London Stadium to Stamford Bridge.
And it left Antonio Conte's men needing just two more wins to be crowned
champions. Lanzini struck in the 65 minute when Spurs failed to clear Aaron
Cresswell's cross and Spurs were unable to find a response. Chelsea host
Middlesbrough on Monday before travelling to West Brom next Friday, where
they can wrap up the title. Here are five things we learned.

1. Title race almost over

A year ago this week Chelsea held Tottenham to the draw that gifted
Leicester the title. Twelve months on and Spurs suffered another hugely
damaging result that might have cost them the league once again. This
victory was a big result for West Ham, against one of their big rivals, but
an even bigger one for Chelsea. Antonio Conte's men, who face Middlesbrough
on Monday, now need just two more wins to be crowned champions after
receiving a massive helping hand from an unlikely source.

2. Walker fails to impress

All eyes were on the team-sheets for the answer to the 'will he, won't
he'decision over Kyle Walker. For so long Spurs' first-choice right-back, in
recent weeks Walker had lost his status as a guaranteed starter. He was back
in the side as boss Mauricio Pochettino continued to alternate between him
and Kieran Trippier. With Pochettino doubting Walker's ability to play twice
in a week that might be the way it now is, unless he leaves in the summer.

3. Popular set-up suits Hammers

Slaven Bilic has returned to the three at the back system he used earlier in
the season following Winston Reid's comeback from injury. And they look a
lot better for having Jose Fonte and James Collins alongside Reid protecting
their goal. The extra body gives them added security and their 'goals
against' column isn't ticking over quite so quickly. They have kept clean
sheets in each of their last three games since Bilic's back three returned.

4. Lennon has support of former club

Tottenham fans showed their support for former winger Aaron Lennon after it
emerged this week that had been detained under the Mental Health Act this
week due to concerns for his welfare. He was applauded and chants of 'one
Aaron Lennon' rang out in the seventh minute - seven being his old Spurs
squad number.

5. Plenty of effort but Calleri frustrates

The end of the season, and his loan spell, can't come quickly enough for
Jonathan Calleri, the man who seemingly can't do anything right. It hasn't
worked out for the Argentinian striker at West Ham. His poor Rabona attempt
against Stoke last time out when a simple finish would have sufficed will
ensure he is remembered here for all the wrong reasons. He didn't have too
much chance to make amends against Spurs with West Ham defending for most of
the game but when he did he often got it wrong. Like the well over hit cross
to nobody early in the second half followed by a poorly directed through
ball which, if he had got it right, would have sent Andre Ayew through on
goal.

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Tottenham stunned as bitter rivals West Ham kill off their title challenge
at the London Stadium
West Ham 1 Tottenham Hotspur 0: Manuel Lanzini fired past Hugo Lloris from
close-range to end Tottenham's hopes of overhauling Chelsea in a huge upset
in east London
The Independent
Jack Pitt-Brooke London Stadium @jackpittbrooke

West Ham United are trying to create new memories for themselves at the
London Stadium and here they made one that will stay with them forever:
killing Tottenham's title challenge. West Ham overwhelmed Spurs with energy
here, deservedly winning 1-0. The defeated looks of the Spurs players at the
end said everything about their chances of finishing top now.

The gap between Spurs and Chelsea is still four points but if Chelsea beat
Middlesbrough on Monday, as they surely will, it will be back up to seven.
With just three games left. Spurs will almost need snookers.

Five days ago Spurs blew Arsenal away but here, for the first time in
months, they looked to have run out of steam. There was no energy in their
pressing, no zip in their passing and they were unusually error prone at the
back. This is the best defence in the country but they did not look that way
here. They were always open on the break, more open than they have been in
years, and West Ham could always get in behind. If they had a better striker
than Jonathan Calleri they would have won by more.

West Ham are not famously tight at the back but here they locked Spurs out
efficiently. Adrian made a sharp save from Harry Kane in the first half but
there was never even a sense of siege at the end.

Spurs knew that this was their chance to turn the heat up on Chelsea, to
reduce the gap to one point at least for 72 hours. But they did not start
like it. Pochettino stuck with the same team that started the Arsenal game
on Sunday but they did not look like a side coming off the back of one of
the greatest afternoons in their recent history.

In fact it was West Ham, one win in 11, who looked livelier than Spurs, with
their nine league wins on the bounce. Slaven Bilic's players performed for
him, which has not always been the case this season. They pressed and pushed
Spurs into mistakes, snapping into tackles and causing problems. Mark
Noble's late lung on Eric Dier was reckless but it did show that this
evening, in this derby, West Ham would be walked over.

Tottenham in contrast looked distracted and often let themselves too open at
the back. They played a back four but Kyle Walker, back in the team, and
Ben Davies pushed so far forward they left spaces either side of the centre
backs to exploit.

Andre Ayew freed Manuel Lanzini, who skewed his shot wide. Aaron Cresswell
crossed to Sam Byram, about to score before Victor Wanyama intervened.
Lanzini broke in behind, was cleaned out by Hugo Lloris, before Cheikhou
Kouyate chipped over the bar.

It was more pressure than Spurs have been under for months, at least in the
Premier League. They had some threat themselves, and Harry Kane forced
consecutive saves from Adrian. But it was not the first half anyone was
expecting.

West Ham sensed their opportunity and came out for the second half even
harder. Ayew should have done better from the edge of the box than just hit
the ball over the bar. Calleri got in a good position on the left then got
his cross wrong. He tried to play Ayew through, racing in on the break, but
got that pass wrong too.

If this West Ham team had a proper striker they would be better than they
are but until then it will always be hard work, even when the rest of them
are playing well.

When the goal West Ham deserved eventually came, it was a scrappy, not that
anyone here cared. Cresswell's cross was blocked, he tried again. Byram
scuffed another cross from the opposite side. Ayew's shot was blocked by
Jan Vertonghen. Only Lanzini could strike the ball cleanly and it flew past
Lloris and in.

Even at 1-0 down, fighting to keep their season alive, Spurs could not wake
up. Mousa Dembele and Vincent Janssen came on but Spurs were still poor at
the back. When Alderweireld gifted the ball to Calleri he should have been
punished. But the Argentine could not beat Lloris from close range.

Normally there would have been a Spurs surge at the end to get back into the
game. But when they tried to crank the energy up, there was nothing left in
the tank. They could not get anything going, and Christian Eriksen whistling
one wide from 25 yards was as good as it got.

It was a shame for such a heroic season to end this meekly but they simply
could not match West Ham on the night. It was Bilic's side who brought more
energy and ideas here this evening, as surprising as that might seem. Spurs'
race is run, for this season at least.

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West Ham 1-0 Tottenham: Slaven Bilic has moment to savour at the end of a
gruelling and stressful season
Manuel Lanzini's strike gave West Ham a memorable win over their London
rivals
Spurs needed a victory to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders
Chelsea
The win could also go a long way to keeping manager Bilic in a job next
season
By Matt Barlow for the Daily Mail
PUBLISHED: 17:15 EDT, 5 May 2017 | UPDATED: 17:18 EDT, 5 May 2017

Slaven Bilic steamed along the edge of his large technical area with
shoulders hunched and hands shifting restlessly from his knees to his hips
and into the pockets of his suit trousers. Feeling the pain of dodgy hips
and knees, the West Ham manager looked like he could do with sit down but
realised he was stranded far from his seat. By the time he got there, he
would surely be needed on the touchline to instruct his players or tell
fourth official Bobby Madley what the referee Anthony Taylor was doing
wrong. Chances came and went. Fiery tackles flew around. Tottenham were the
better team but the home side looked dangerous at times. There was something
to shot about and there was noise in the stadium. When Manuel Lanzini
triggered the bubble machines, the air crackled with the energy of sporting
celebration like it did when Mo Farah took gold on Super Saturday in 2012.
This time, however, the glee was mixed with schadenfreude as it only really
does in football and the home crowd basked in the gloom of their guests. How
they laughed as they teased Christian Eriksen and refused to return the ball
as he waited to take a corner. No-one left early to beat the queues at the
tube station. Apart from the Tottenham fans. West Ham stayed to cheer as
Eriksen's late effort drifted wide of the goal and a chip intended for Dele
Alli dribbled out of play in stoppage time. By this time, they were on their
feet and the place rocked. 'Tottenham Hotspur it's happened again,' they
crowed, lit a flare at the final whistle and belted out their anthem. They
didn't want to go home after their first win of the season against a team
from the top eight and it was not hard to imagine Chelsea boss Antonio Conte
screaming and punching the air wherever he watched the game on TV.
For Bilic, here was a moment to savour and a remedy to soothe the troubles
of a gruelling and stressful season when one setback has followed another
and left his future at the club appearing bleak. Friday night's frying pan
to the manager's face came when Andy Carroll, within sight of a return form
his latest injury (groin) was not fit to feature, as he usually isn't.
Carroll has started just 15 of 36 league games. Michail Antonio, their best
player this season, was also missing, injured (hamstring). Last season's
best player, Dimitri Payet went in January (Marseille) and his replacement
Robert Snodgrass (Hull) is not able to get in the team. Recruitment has been
central to the general feeling of anti-climax which has plagued this first
season in Stratford. A dozen signings have been made since the end of last
season with a view to building on a seventh place finish. Only three were in
the team selected by Bilic last night but it mattered little. Three thousand
away fans had come to roar their side on in the title race and West Ham
responded, with fire in their bellies and a tactical plan to break quickly
into the spaces behind Tottenham's full-backs. When the fixtures first came
out last summer and this derby was to be found conveniently at the end of
the campaign and it seemed the authorities were thinking of the security
which was always likely to be an issue in an athletics stadium built without
segregation in mind. As it turned out, it was perfectly placed to wreck the
Tottenham party and as ever in football if you've nothing to celebrate
yourself them celebrate the demise of your nearest rival.

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