‘I’d hate to play against him’: Tim Sherwood speak ruthlessly of Spurs player with 8 ground duels vs West Ham
Tottenham Hotspur secured an impressive 4-1 victory over West Ham United in Saturday’s early Premier League fixture. Despite an early setback when Spurs conceded within 18 minutes, they quickly turned the match around as West Ham’s defense crumbled under pressure.
The game started with Tottenham trailing 1-0 after Jarrod Bowen delivered a precise cutback to Mohammed Kudus, who blasted the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
However, Tottenham responded strongly, equalizing in the 36th minute. James Maddison provided the assist for Dejan Kulusevski, who cut in and aimed a shot towards the near post.
Although West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola got a hand to the ball, it ricocheted off both posts before finding its way into the net, leveling the scoreline at 1-1. This goal marked a turning point in the match, as Tottenham gained momentum and began to dominate proceedings.
Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood commended Tottenham for their equalizer, particularly praising Kulusevski’s contribution. Sherwood noted that Kulusevski’s performance was difficult for defenders to handle, and he highlighted the importance of Tottenham getting back on level terms.
According to Sherwood, Tottenham deserved the equalizer as they had started to look more comfortable in the game.
In the second half, Tottenham truly came to life. They added their second goal in the 53rd minute when Son Heung-min and Destiny Udogie linked up brilliantly to set up Yves Bissouma for a well-taken finish.
This goal seemed to break West Ham’s resistance, and just two minutes later, the Hammers conceded again, this time through an unfortunate own goal by Jean-Clair Todibo. The pressure from Tottenham’s attack forced Todibo into a mistake, further compounding West Ham’s defensive woes.
Tottenham’s relentless pressure continued, and in the 60th minute, Son Heung-min showcased his skills with some quick stepovers before slotting the ball past Areola at the near post, making it 4-1. This dominant display in the second half demonstrated Tottenham’s attacking prowess and ability to capitalize on their opponent’s weaknesses.
Dejan Kulusevski’s performance was a key highlight of the match. According to Sofascore, he contributed two key passes in addition to his goal. Kulusevski had 58 touches of the ball and completed 29 out of 35 passes, giving him an 83% pass accuracy.
His ability to take on defenders was evident, as he succeeded in two of his five dribbling attempts. Additionally, Kulusevski won eight out of 14 ground duels and contributed defensively with three tackles.
| Kulusevski’s Stats vs West Ham | Tally |
|---|---|
| Goals | 1 |
| Key Passes | 2 |
| Touches | 58 |
| Pass Accuracy | 83% |
| Dribbles Completed | 2/5 |
| Ground Duels Won | 8/14 |
| Tackles | 3 |
| Sofascore Rating | 7.8/10 |
Kulusevski’s all-around contribution earned him a solid Sofascore rating of 7.8, reflecting his influence on both ends of the pitch. His ability to drive forward with the ball and contribute to Tottenham’s attacking play made him a standout performer in what was an emphatic win for the North London club.
Overall, Tottenham’s victory over West Ham was a commanding display, particularly in the second half when they overwhelmed their opponents.
The win was a significant confidence boost for Spurs as they continued their pursuit of a strong Premier League campaign. Their ability to recover from an early setback and dominate the game highlights the growing cohesion under Ange Postecoglou’s management.
Read Also: Ange Postecoglou offers his thoughts on Ryan Mason staying with Spurs
Read Also: Ange Postecoglou explains why Spurs gave Djed Spence a new contract
Read Also: Richarlison decision made as £165k/week player drops out of squad: Tottenham predicted XI v West Ham