The Premier League is back! Spurs, so poor at Bournemouth two weeks ago, returned to action away at West Ham, and put in a decent performance to bury a Hammers side that must be among the favourites for the drop.
The game itself was not a classic, Spurs just edging a nervy first half, in which Cristian Romero saw a goal disallowed for a 'push' by Micky Van de Ven on Kyle Walker-Peters. Replays showed what appeared to be the Spurs defender giving as good as he got, which is standard for any set piece in any game of football. The fact that VAR took a look at it and decided not to intervene only cements the view that there really is very little point in VAR. Officiating in our league continues to be abysmal, and doesn't look like changing anytime soon.
Honestly the referees & VAR have had an absolute shocker of a start to the season. If that goal is disallowed for a foul you will never ever see a corner be taken without referee blowing for something ever again🫣🤷🏻♂️
— James Maddison (@Madders10) September 13, 2025
After the break, Spurs scored quick. Another corner, this one from new boy Xavi Simons found Sarr all by himself at the back post, he thundered home the header. Shortly after Tomas Soucek saw red for trying to take Palhinha's leg off just below the knee. From the resulting free kick, a sublime Cristian Romero long ball found the run of Lucas Bergvall. The young Swede's impressive physicality was on full display as he jumped, pivoted and used his neck muscles to direct a header over the hapless Hermansen.
It was Bergvall again at the centre of Tottenham's third. Another positive run into the box started a move which ended with a rather fortuitous pass to Van de Ven. The Dutchman did the rest, sweeping a low finish into the bottom corner with his right foot.
So all in all, a good day's work for Tottenham. Romero was excellent, as was Bergvall. Kudus enjoyed a day out at his old stomping ground and Xavi showed glimpses of his quality on his debut. Tel did nothing to prove Thomas Frank wrong for omitting him from the Champions League squad, but I don't think playing as a centre forward really suits him.
Hapless Hammers
All of this, though, seemed slightly irrelevant to me as I sat watching from the comfort of my sofa. What struck me was how flat the whole occasion felt. This was a London derby. We hate West Ham. They hate us. I got none of that energy from the game yesterday. What I did get was a sense of apathy from the West Ham fans towards a team and head coach that are seemingly headed for the Championship.
On the pitch they seem to have little leadership and even less quality. In the dugout there seems to be no clue as to how to try and combat this, and the boardroom lacks the funds to fix the issues in the squad. Everything points to a Sean Dyche unveiling some time in November/December. Though looking at what he will have to work with, he might need Big Sam to come in as his No.2 if he is going to have a chance of steering the ship to safer waters.
I wondered, around the time Tottenham's third goal hit the back of the net and the London Stadium started to empty, how many of those West Ham fans would take David Moyes back right now? The decision to part with him looks stranger every week.
