Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 West Ham United: Goals from Emerson Royal & Heung-min Son fire Spurs into top four
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Updated 19/02/2023 at 22:49 GMT
Emerson Royal and Heung-min Son scored the goals as Tottenham Hotspur beat West Ham United 2-0 in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The win moves Spurs into the top four – at the expense of Newcastle, who lost to Liverpool yesterday. The London club are on 42 points, one clear of Newcastle who have played a game fewer. West Ham remain in the drop zone in 18th place.
Stellini: Conte was part of Tottenham's win, which we deserved
Son Heung-Min came off the bench to help fire Tottenham into the Premier League’s top four courtesy of a 2-0 victory at home to West Ham.
The South Korean forward was a surprise exclusion from the starting XI but struck within four minutes of taking to the field to seal the win after Emerson Royal had broken the deadlock in a much improved second half display from the hosts.
It was actually West Ham who made the livelier start and David Moyes's men almost grabbed an instant lead when Jarrod Bowen rifled just wide from 20-yards out.
Tottenham struggled to carve out chances in what proved to be a tepid first 45, but did have a big penalty appeal turned down on 12 minutes when Thilo Kherer appeared to handle Richarlison’s low pass.
The home team stepped up the tempo following the interval with Richarlison and Harry Kane blowing good openings before they took the lead through an unlikely source on 56 minutes.
Ben Davies led a rapid burst down the left and rolled the ball across for fellow wing-back, Emerson Royal to fire a low shot into the corner on his 50th Premier League appearance.
Bowen almost levelled immediately for the visitors, but Spurs upped the ante and sealed the points when Son charged through to coolly fire home Kane's pass 18 minutes from time.
The result means the Lilywhites move a point clear of Newcastle in fourth spot, albeit having played a game more than the Magpies. West Ham remain in the drop zone in 18th place.
Next up, the Hammers are at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday while Spurs host Chelsea on Sunday.
Talking point
Could Spurs have stumbled on a dynamite tactic? After earning a share of the Premier League Golden Boot last term, Son Heung-Min has endured a difficult season in the opposition penalty area. The forward has managed just one goal in 20 starts, but when he has come off the bench it has been a different matter.
Back in September he struck a hat-trick as a substitute at the expense of Leicester and he was at it again here, making it four goals in two substitute appearances in the current campaign.
Given that Spurs have Brazil’s No.9 in their ranks in the shape of Richarlison, perhaps using Son from the bench more regularly could be a potent weapon as a sort of Plan B.
The 30-year-old certainly wouldn’t want that reputation - and his 140 goals for the club would help him beg to differ - but if can make such an impressive impact in cameo roles it could be food for thought as Spurs look to build upon moving themselves back into the Champions League places. Watch this space...
Player of the match
Ben Davies (Tottenham). The Welshman was given a run out at left wing-back and responded with an all-action display that culminated in him chalking up an assist and helping his side pick up a clean sheet.
Player Ratings
TOTTENHAM: Forster 7, Romero 7, Dier 7, Lenglet 7, Royal 8, Hojbjerg 8, Skipp 7, Davies 7, Richarlison 6, Kulusevski 7, Kane 7. Subs: Son 7, Perisic 5, Sarr n/a, Lucas Moura n/a.
WEST HAM: Fabianski 7, Kehrer 6, Ogbonna 6, Aguerd 7, Coufal 6, Soucek 7, Rice 7, Downes 5, Emerson 5, Antonio 6, Bowen 7. Subs: Ings 6, Benrahma 6, Johnson n/a, Fornals n/a.
Match Highlights
01’ – WEST HAM CHANCE! Bowen fizzes an early opportunity inches past the post from just outside the box after the Hammers had raided down the right flank through Soucek.
12’ - TOTTENHAM PENALTY SHOUT! Kehrer leans down and handles the ball as Richarlison tried to play a pass in the area. VAR checks but says no... Spurs' players were quite vocal in their appeals and the Hammers defender did appear to move into the ball in a less than 'natural' position…
45+2’ - TOTTENHAM CHANCES! Richarlison chases a ball to the left side of the area and digs out a low shot from a narrow angle that Fabianski blocks with his legs. Lenglet rises highest from the resulting corner but can only guide his header over the bar.
56’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 1-0 West Ham. Emerson Royal passes a low shot into the corner after a rapid break saw Davies roll a lovely ball into his path.
58’ – WEST HAM CHANCE! The visitors almost level immediately. Bowen latches on to Antonio's flick but sees his thumping shot well saved by Forster.
72’ – GOAL! – Tottenham 2-0 West Ham. Son makes his mark from the bench, collecting Kane's pass and firing beyond the keeper.
Key Stats
Having scored just once in his first 45 Premier League appearances for Tottenham, Emerson Royal has since netted two goals in his last five games (v Man City & West Ham).
Spurs equalled the club league record of 22 consecutive home games without a draw, also set in 1928 and 1987.
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