Tottenham Hotspur delivered a powerful statement on Saturday afternoon, securing an emphatic 3-0 victory over West Ham United in a one-sided London derby.
The win was a perfect response from manager Thomas Frank and his players after the disappointment of their loss to Bournemouth just before the international break.
More importantly, it felt like a fresh start, a strong first step into a new chapter for the club following the recent departure of long-time chairman Daniel Levy.
The first half was a tightly contested affair, though not without its drama. Spurs believed they had broken the deadlock when defender Christian Romero powered a header into the net from a corner kick.
The celebrations were cut short, however, as the match official disallowed the goal for a foul committed by Micky van de Ven during the tussle for position in the box. It was a frustrating moment, but the team’s spirit was not broken.
The real breakthrough came early in the second half, changing the entire complexion of the match. From another well-worked set-piece, midfielder Pape Matar Sarr found himself unmarked at the back post to nod the ball home and give Tottenham a deserved lead.
The situation for West Ham went from bad to worse shortly after when their midfielder, Thomas Soucek, was shown a red card, reducing them to ten men. With the numerical advantage, Tottenham took full control, and the goals followed.
The talented Lucas Bergvall doubled the lead, marking his 50th appearance for the club with a beautifully taken goal that reflected his influence on the game throughout the afternoon.
To complete the comprehensive victory, defender Micky van de Ven made amends for his earlier involvement in the disallowed goal by storming forward to smash home a third, putting the result beyond any doubt.
From a player performance perspective, this was a day where many in a Spurs shirt excelled. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario had perhaps his quietest afternoon of the season, barely called into action and earning a simple rating for his untroubled clean sheet.
In defense, Pedro Porro was industrious and reliable on the right side, while the central defensive partnership was truly outstanding.
Christian Romero was a classy operator at the back, demonstrating exactly why the club was so keen to keep him, and Micky van de Ven was elegant and composed, making a significant contribution at both ends of the pitch.
The redemption story of Djed Spence also continued positively. Playing out of position at left-back, he looked completely comfortable and assured, putting a week of significant personal news behind him with a mature and focused performance.
In the heart of midfield, the summer acquisition of Joao Palhinha continues to look like a masterstroke. He provided the steel and stability that was often missing last season, breaking up play and allowing his more creative teammates to flourish.
That creativity was on full display from Lucas Bergvall, who was a delight to watch. He seemed to be everywhere, covering every blade of grass and capping his energetic display with a superb goal.
Alongside him, Pape Matar Sarr continued his rich vein of scoring form, following up on his exploits during the international break with another crucial goal.
Further up the field, new signing Xavi Simons showed glimpses of the quality that has everyone so excited.
Understandably a little off the pace in the first half during his first Premier League start, he grew into the game and demonstrated his technical ability, notably providing a wonderful delivery for Sarr’s opening goal.
Mohammed Kudus, facing his former club, was booed with every touch but responded by dazzling with the ball at his feet, reminding the home fans exactly what they are now missing.
The only player who might have hoped for more was striker Mathys Tel, who was often isolated leading the line on his own.
While he worked hard and did the necessary defensive work, he was left wanting for better service as the lone frontman.
Overall, it was a magnificent team performance that will fill Tottenham Hotspur with immense confidence as they look ahead to the challenges of the season.
The players demonstrated resilience, quality, and a killer instinct, suggesting that the post-Levy era could be a very exciting time for everyone connected with the club.
