Overall, Tottenham sports a 6W-6D-1L record and is now on a 12-game unbeaten run this season which equals Spurs’ best unbeaten streak in Club history.
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It did not take long for him to atone, however, as an ill-advised attempt to play the ball out from the back by West Ham gifted Spurs their third goal five minutes after the change of ends.
Mousa Dembele is again showing the form of his Fulham days, while his Belgian compatriot Toby Alderweireld is developing a solid partnership with another of their global colleagues, Jan Vertonghen, at the heart of the Spurs defence.
Their slick passing, well-tuned pressing and defensive solidity made their London rivals look decidedly average at White Hart Lane on Sunday. Interestingly, though, Bilic refused to cite those errors and instead focused on the wider point that his instructions had not been followed beforehand. “We know that if we can perform like we did today we’ll get wins and will be pushing right up to the top, so we’ll just keep on doing that”.
“We came out of the blocks flying, we were full of energy”. Everybody is trying to push everybody but you resist. They are still enjoying a fine campaign regardless of this result but it is clear Bilic still requires time to achieve a consistent application of their approach.
Spurs are now just four points off the top of the Premier League, in fifth spot, and given the inconsistency of a number of sides have been mooted as title dark horses.
But one source of concern remains the lack of alternatives to Kane up front.
Kane’s second, soon after the break, essentially sealed the win before Walker added a well-taken fourth and Manuel Lanzini fired in a late consolation for the Hammers.
Pochettino, the Spurs boss, saluted his team’s display. They must not let it go to waste. While, Tottenham hosts the defending champions Chelsea.
The 43-year-old added: “Our mentality is always step by step”.
Confidence is high and the players understand their jobs.
Pochettino was even afforded the luxury of taking off Kane, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min, with a five-hour Europa League trip to Qarabag to come on Thursday.
“It is one of our best performances and results this season”, said Pochettino. The best word to describe my feelings is that I am very proud.
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“Today was a complete performance from the team”. We all feel very proud.
