Tottenham player ratings vs West Ham United – 7/10 duo the only bright sparks
Another underwhelming Premier League performance from Tottenham saw them held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against West Ham at the London Stadium, with only two players emerging with any real credit from a match that highlighted Spurs’ ongoing inconsistency.
In goal, Guglielmo Vicario’s evening was defined by one costly first-half error that led to West Ham’s equalizer. The Italian shot-stopper endured a quiet second period as the hosts failed to test him, but that early mistake continued to overshadow his performance.
His nervy distribution and lack of command in the box earned him the lowest rating of the evening.
The defensive unit offered mixed performances, with Kevin Danso arguably the most composed figure at the back.
The center-half handled his defensive duties with relative ease as West Ham rarely targeted his side, though he failed to provide the leadership needed to shore up a shaky backline.
Ben Davies recovered somewhat after a torrid first half, but his improvement coincided with West Ham taking their foot off the gas rather than any marked upturn in his individual display.
Full-backs Archie Gray and Djed Spence epitomized Tottenham’s frustrating evening. Gray showed occasional promise with his overlapping runs when pushed further forward after the break, but his final product lacked quality.
Spence, culpable for West Ham’s goal, tried to atone with some adventurous forays down the flank, though his deliveries into the box consistently failed to find their intended targets.
Midfield proved particularly problematic, with Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr failing to establish any control over the game.
Bissouma’s tendency to lose possession in dangerous areas continued to undermine Spurs’ buildup play, while Sarr’s anonymous showing saw him register just one tame attempt on goal. The pair’s inability to dictate tempo or provide defensive protection left Tottenham vulnerable throughout.
Further forward, Wilson Odobert and Mathys Tel emerged as the sole bright sparks in an otherwise drab attacking display.
Odobert took his first-half goal with composure and remained Spurs’ most consistent threat, his direct running causing occasional problems for the West Ham backline.
Tel grew into the game after the interval, using his pace and trickery to good effect, though like so many of his teammates, his promising approach play often broke down at the crucial moment.
Dejan Kulusevski flickered intermittently without ever truly influencing proceedings, his early promise fading as the match progressed.
Richarlison worked tirelessly as the focal point of the attack but received scant service, his frustration visibly growing as the game wore on before being replaced by teenage substitute Mikey Moore.
The young winger’s brief cameo offered one of the few positives for Ange Postecoglou, with Moore immediately looking lively and confident in possession.
His willingness to receive the ball in tight spaces and drive at defenders provided a glimpse of Tottenham’s promising academy talent, though his introduction came too late to affect the outcome.
This stalemate encapsulated many of Tottenham’s recurring issues this season – moments of individual quality undermined by defensive lapses, midfield anonymity, and a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
While Odobert and Tel showed glimpses of their potential, their performances merely papered over cracks that continue to hinder Spurs’ progress under Postecoglou.
As Tottenham’s European ambitions hang in the balance, this result raises further questions about their ability to compete consistently at the top level.
The manager faces a significant task to address these systemic issues if Spurs are to mount a serious challenge for continental qualification next season.
For now, fans are left clinging to the occasional flashes of promise from their young attackers while lamenting the all-too-familiar defensive frailties that continue to undermine their progress.