Sometimes in football, matches end with a scoreline that absolutely nobody saw coming. Unfortunately for supporters ofTottenham Hotspur, yesterday was just one of those days.
West Ham arrived at White Hart Lane having won only one Premier League game so far this campaign. Not a team known particularly for picking up results away from home, the Hammers ended the day by shocking football fans everywhere with an emphatic 3-0 win over their London rivals.
Heading into the weekend’s fixtures, a Spurs loss was almost unfathomable. Considered by some to be genuine challengers for the title despite the loss of Gareth Bale, Andre Villas-Boas’ side’s performance was not one of a team from the very top end of the table.
Without doubt a coupon buster, the result halted Tottenham’s steady progress whilst dragging West Ham out of the relegation zone. The interesting thing now will be how both teams react to it.
With the Hammers having proved that they are capable of going to one of the top sides in the country and picking up three points, perhaps more will be expected of them from the passionate Upton Park faithful. And, although Spurs fans will try to forget all about it, the vulnerability exposed in the humiliating defeat may play on the squad’s mind throughout their next few games.
Not a great way to sign off before an international break, AVB will have to restore his reputation quickly when the Premier League returns. An immediate response from his team in their first game back will be necessary in order to aid recovery and enable a resurgence. Whilst Tottenham remain in a healthy position in terms of league position, they will need to avoid any more setbacks if they are to keep up with the chasing pack.
Was this just a bump in the road for Spurs’ Champions League hopes or is it a sign of a deeper-lying problem?
