The penny may finally have dropped for West Ham’s players against Spurs as it was a case of no Lucas Paqueta, no problem in a vital last-gasp 2-1 victory.
Given West Ham’s dire position in the Premier League table, even trips to the likes of Tottenham Hotspur are must-win games now.
Especially when Spurs were without seven key players for the visit of the Hammers.
After beating QPR after extra-time in the FA Cup, West Ham looked a lot more confident as they took a first half lead against their bitter rivals Spurs through Crysencio Summerville.
Going in at the break, though, the Hammers were kicking themselves that their advantage was not greater.
It was West Ham’s profligacy in front of goal which threatened to cost them dear yet again as chance after chance went begging.
No Paqueta no problem as penny drops for West Ham
Wasteful West Ham were all over Tottenham in the first half, dominating possession and chances.
It was a refreshing performance as the Hammers played with hunger, desire and composure.
Late drama 😍😍 Give us your three-word review to West Ham’s win over Spurs!
‘Where has this been all season?’ West Ham fans were justifiably asking at half-time.
It was a case of no Lucas Paqueta, no problem for West Ham as the penny looks to have finally dropped.
Paqueta was nowhere to be seen as he pushes to leave West Ham for a return to Flamengo.
Paqueta has risked West Ham’s wrath as details of secret calls with Flamengo’s manager emerged while his teammates were playing at Tottenham.
But the Hammers showed new-found resilience without their inconsistent, wantaway midfielder.
Thanks in no small part to another midfield star who was also a doubt but pulled himself off the treatment table to put in a man of the match display in the shape of Mateus Fernandes.
He completely outshone Spurs new-boy Conor Gallagher in the midfield battle and the Hammers would have been lost without him – unlike the absent Paqueta.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have squandered 12 points from winning positions since his arrival.
Add those to their tally now and the Hammers would be feeling a lot more confident of survival.
Man of the match Fernandes key to West Ham win at Spurs
After conceding an equaliser, it looked like another crucial, precious, priceless point would be thrown away by the Hammers.
This time, though, the players rallied, showed great heart and determination and won the game in the dying moments to pile the pressure on Thomas Frank, who could now be sacked.
Pretend you call the shots – what are you doing over Callum Wilson’s future?
Match winner 😍
Aaron Wan-Bissaka did not cover himself in glory by switching off at the far post for Cuti Romero’s headed equaliser.
Konstantinos Mavropanos by getting caught under a high cross – his obligatory costly mistake per game even when the Greek is playing well.
The goal had been coming from the moment the second half kicked off.
Frank made a basic tactical switch and it completely nullified Jarrod Bowen and Summerville.
West Ham retreated 15 yards from their first half setup and the intent that had made the Hammers’ first performance so impressive suddenly evaporated for a spell.
Instead of taking the game to Spurs and going for more goals and a vital win, Nuno sat his team back and failed to make any changes to combat Frank’s adjustments.
West Ham paid the price by conceding and by the end they were clinging on – as seems to be the case every week since Nuno’s arrival.
But this time West Ham soaked up the pressure and responded by finally getting a late win of their own to breathe new life into the fight to stay in the league.
Callum Wilson almost left the club last week and may yet still depart in the coming weeks.
Deadly Wilson shows his importance to West Ham’s survival fight
That would be a huge mistake on this evidence as he is still the most accomplished and proven finisher at the club.
Wilson almost scored within seconds of coming on, forcing a corner with a shot that was destined for the bottom corner.
From that corner, brilliantly taken by the superb Ollie Scarles, Wilson prodded home a loose ball for a potentially priceless goal which stood after a nervy VAR check.
If West Ham performed more like this throughout the season they would not be worrying about relegation of course.
Even a draw against an understrength Spurs side whose fans had turned against them would have felt like a defeat for West Ham.
But the win could work wonders for Nuno and his players with Sunderland up next at the London Stadium.
Victory closed the gap on Forest to four points and West Ham will be hoping Arsenal can do them an almighty favour by beating Sean Dyche’s side on Saturday night.
This set of player ratings reflects a performance to be proud of with a host of standout displays where West Ham’s players finally did the club proud.
The key now will be keeping it up in every game until the end of the season.
West Ham player ratings: Two 9.5/10 stars steal the show at Spurs
Alphonse Areola, 8/10: Point blank double save was key moment in the game and Alphonse Areola also made a number of other stops to keep Spurs at bay in the second half.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 7.5/10: Excellent all-round performance at both ends of the pitch, marred only by switching off for the Spurs equaliser – but that proved to be irrelevant thanks to Wilson’s winner.
Jean-Clair Todibo, 9/10: This is what West Ham thought they were getting when they paid £32m for Jean-Clair Todibo. A man mountain against Spurs and a real contender for man of the match. Pocketed his compatriot Randal Kolo Muani.
Konstantinos Mavropanos, 9/10: By rights Konstantinos Mavropanos has all the makings of a West Ham cult hero. But his all too regular mistakes have played a big part in the club’s struggles. Mavropanos got caught under a cross again for Spurs’ equaliser, but he was brilliant besides that in one of his best performances in a West Ham shirt.
Ollie Scarles, 9.5/10: What a turnaround for young Ollie Scarles after his costly mistake cost West Ham so dear in the defeat to Fulham. Scarles was fantastic throughout and it was his corner put right on the flapping Guglielmo Vicario’s head that led to West Ham’s winner. Scarles’ display was summed up by a brilliant couple of blocks after Wilson had made it 2-1 to ensure the Hammers held on.
Mateus Fernandes, 9.5/10: The beating heart of West Ham’s midfield, Nuno’s side would not have won this game without Mateus Fernandes. The Portuguese was a doubt for the game but unlike Paqueta declared himself available despite having not trained with the team all week. He was everywhere and probably just edges it as man of the match.
Tomas Soucek, 8/10: Good old Mr Reliable Tomas Soucek never lets West Ham down. This is the Soucek we all know and love, diligently going about all the dirty, selfless work for the team which often goes unnoticed. A key player to the victory.
Crysencio Summerville, 8/10: Faded in the second half due to Spurs changing tactics but got the opener and was the best player on the pitch in the first 45 minutes. This is what West Ham need from their flying Dutchman week in, week out until the end of the season.
Jarrod Bowen, 7.5/10: Better than many of the captain’s recent performances. Jarrod Bowen was his usual hard-working self and looked to have more energy than usual with two new forwards sharing the workload with him.
Pablo, 7.5/10: New boy worked his socks off throughout and was a real pest. Needs to get himself closer to the goal but played in the second striker role and did it well.
Taty Castellanos, 7/10: Stupidly booked after just 40 seconds but Valentin Castellanos, like Pablo, worked hard for the team and went close with a couple of hopeful efforts. Doesn’t look like he is going to get a hatful of goals – and never has throughout his career. But he is opening up space for Bowen and Summerville which could be just as important.
Subs:
Callum Wilson, 8/10: The club’s best finisher was the match-winner and West Ham may have won more comfortably had he been up front in the first half.
Guido Rodriguez and Max Kilman, 7/10: Steady when they came on and played their part.
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