Particularly in the first half, Spurs had no answer for their physicality and sheer will to press forward.
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There was a clear creative deficit in the Spurs team for the first hour of the match as they laboured without Rolls Royce duo Mousa Dembele and Dele Alli.
We took to Twitter to take a look at what Hammers fans made of his performance.
“We need to be positive”, he added.
Spurs were better in the second period, but were unable to find a breakthrough as West Ham claimed the win to cement their place in the top six. “They are strong, for us, it is hard for the way we want to play and the pitch does not help us”.
Spurs’ fellow North London neighbours Arsenal also tasted defeat, going down 2-1 at home to Swansea as Leicester City maintained a three-point lead at the top of the table.
But it remained a night of deep frustration for Pochettino’s team, as Antonio turned a cross over the bar while Aaron Cresswell threatened with a volley on the odd occasion West Ham broke on their opponents.
West Ham have won only three of the last 17 Premier League meetings (W3, D3, L11). I think we repeated the first 20 minutes we play against Swansea [in Sunday’s 2-1 win], it was hard to start the game against Swansea. It should be a good game because of the position they are in, and we are in.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino insists that his side are not at all nervous approaching the business end of the season. The youngster was second half substitute but the anticipated fight back never reached a critical mass.
– Michail Antonio has scored 10 goals in all competitions this season (West Ham/Nottingham Forest combined) – all have come at home.
Harry Kane missed the best chance when he failed to connect with the rebound after Adrian kept out Toby Alderweireld’s long-range shot.
Mata curled in a dazzling free kick with his left boot that beat Heurelho Gomes in the Watford goal, and ensured United stayed within touching distance of a Champions League spot.
Antonio converted a Dimitri Payet corner to net his fourth goal in four home games for Slaven Bilic’s team, who perhaps should have been more than 1-0 up at half-time following a dominant first 45 minutes.
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Spurs will go top if they win – at least until Leicester play later in the day – while victory for the Gunners would put them level on points with their hated rivals.
