Fresh Football Fresh quotes, opinion and reaction to the beautiful game.
These are Fresh Football’s ratings for Tottenham Hotspur’s London derby versus West Ham United at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris - 5
Nothing of note from the French goalkeeper, who was fairly powerless in stopping Michail Antonio’s opening goal and the penalty converted by Manuel Lanzini later on.
Kyle Walker - 5
Spurs will be left wanting more from the full back in the direct duel with Aaron Cresswell on the right flank, whereas his general play also proved to be a little rough around the edges, today.
Eric Dier - 6
A solid performance from Eric Dier, slotting in at centre back without any considerable concerns.
Jan Vertonghen - 7
Provided a platform to play out from the back, as always, and came up with a few crucial tackles at a time when the hosts were chasing the game.
Danny Rose - 6
Much like Walker, Rose looked unable to function down the flanks as he’s accustomed to doing, but he did manage to get the better of Antonio on a few more occasions in the second half, most importantly in the lead-up to Harry Winks’ equaliser.
Victor Wanyama - 6
The Kenyan undertook fairly simplistic duties throughout the second half, but did so very well, sweeping up possession in the middle of the park to set Spurs back on their way to attacking West Ham.
Mousa Dembélé - 6
He’ll have had more dominant performances, but Mousa Dembélé appeared relatively neat in possession nonetheless, before being replaced by Son Heung-Min
Harry Winks - 8
Intensity, tenacity, creativity and an important goal, all on the 20-year-old’s Premier League debut. A very mature performance.
Christian Eriksen - 5
The Dane is currently a long way away from what we’ve been used to seeing from him in a Spurs shirt, acting as a chief culprit in losing possession in this one.
Harry Kane - 6
Operating around Vincent Janssen in a two-striker formation, Kane never quite got into the game, but his mark on the occasion is there for all to see; Two goals, three points.
Vincent Janssen - 4
Lacking synergy between him and Kane, as well as many more of his teammates. The Dutchman is looking increasingly difficult to fit into the first XI, especially with Son thriving.
Subs:
Son Heung-Min - 6.5
A big introduction into the game, having a helping hand in both of Spurs’ late goals that gives the home side all three points and maintains invincibility in the Premier League.
Dele Alli - 5
Didn’t quite have the desired effect coming on in the second half, as difficult as it may be in a derby.
West Ham United
Darren Randolph - 7
Made a few key saves, particularly one from an Eric Dier header in point-blank range, but the Irishman was arguably at fault for the turnaround when his attempted save from Son’s cross diverted the ball away from Angelo Ogbonna and into Kane’s path.
Michail Antonio - 6
A great first half display up and down the right flank, complete with yet another headed goal, but the Englishman may well have blown his engine in the second period, as Rose and Son exposed his defensive flaws on a number of occasions.
Cheikhou Kouyaté - 7
A quality performance from Kouyaté, somewhat of a throwback to his Anderlecht days when instructed to play as the third central defender. The towering figure did very well, particularly in the first half when driving the ball out from defence to commence purposeful counter-attacks.
Winston Reid - 6
A solid performance from the captain was later marred by the Spurs turnaround and a second yellow card in injury time.
Angelo Ogbonna - 6
Another who, like Reid, performed to a good standard in the heart of defence.
Aaron Cresswell - 6
In the left wing-back role, Cresswell specialised in minimising Kyle Walker’s effectiveness
André Ayew - 4
West Ham will have been hoping for spurts of inspiration from Ayew, but the opportunities for the Ghanaian never came.
Pedro Obiang - 6.5
Stood his ground in quite an offensive midfield from the Hammers, on top of being the go-to-guy to settling down play in certain phases of the first half.
Manuel Lanzini - 7
Among the best in a West Ham shirt, it was Lanzini who spearheaded the counters for the visitors and caused Tottenham’s defence the greatest cause for concern.
Dimitri Payet - 4
Totally uninspired, perhaps fatigued, and how the Hammers could have done with an on-song Payet for certain openings late in the second half.
Diafra Sakho - 4
Lots of running and little else from the striker who was soon replaced by Simone Zaza in the second half.
Subs:
Simone Zaza - 6
Provided greater involvement from as a focal point, perhaps courtesy of the game opening up, but lacked any real conviction from shooting areas. A positive cameo, however.
Edimilson Fernandes - 5
The young Swiss was on hand to rejuvenate the West Ham midfield as best as he could and combat the eventual Dele Alli entrance.
Håvard Nordtveit - N/A
Few were the minutes the former Arsenal man had on the field, but it was he who turned out to be among the most decisive characters of the tale, sweeping Son’s foot and gifting Spurs the late penalty that won the clash.
