West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur: Ange Postecoglou rues lack of ‘readability’ as Spurs held

Tottenham supervisor Ange Postecoglou stated he would love a “joystick” to manage his gamers like in a online game after they have been held by West Ham.

Brennan Johnson’s tap-in put them forward after 5 minutes, however the Hammers levelled when Kurt Zouma headed residence from a nook.

Each side confirmed endeavour however lacked a leading edge because the spoils have been shared.

Regardless of having 68% possession Spurs solely had 4 photographs heading in the right direction, together with Johnson’s early opener and Future Udogie volleying straight at residence goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in second-half stoppage time.

They by no means seemed more likely to obtain the two-goal margin of victory they wanted to overhaul fourth-placed Aston Villa, who face Manchester Metropolis on Wednesday at Etihad Stadium.

Postecoglou’s facet stay fifth, two factors behind Villa and the Australian stated his group missed “clarity of thought” at occasions in assault.

‘We’ve got extra time than we expect’

When requested why they lacked that readability, Postecoglou stated: “Because they’re human beings mate, it’s just football.

“I might wish to have a joystick and put them the place I would like but it surely would not work that manner. My position is to attempt to assist them by means of that.

“At times, we have more time than we think. We scored a great goal but there are times the ball is flashed across when we should have been in those areas. It’s things to work on.”

Tottenham led when Johnson – introduced in as certainly one of three modifications to the Spurs beginning line-up from Saturday’s win over Luton – turned in from shut vary after Timo Werner was allowed house to get in behind the left facet of West Ham’s defence to fireside in a low cross.

However West Ham responded effectively, and their ways of swinging in corners to place Spurs goalkeeper Gigi Vicario below strain labored when Jarrod Bowen’s set-piece was nodded in from 5 yards by Zouma.

The Hammers got here closest to discovering a winner after the break, however Michail Antonio shot straight at Vicario after the Jamaican worldwide had overpowered Micky van de Ven to get one-on-one with the keeper.

West Ham keep seventh as each Newcastle and Wolves did not win and overhaul David Moyes’ facet within the Europa Convention League qualification place.

Vicario impresses however set-piece struggles proceed

With the promise of fourth place on supply, Spurs got here out of the traps faster than in current video games.

Their fifth-minute opener got here after their earlier 12 league objectives have been all scored within the second halves of matches, a run courting again to three February.

However an outdated weak spot reared its head once more as they conceded from a nook dropped on high of Vicario, who had twice punched unconvincingly at earlier set-pieces.

The Italian has largely impressed following his transfer from Empoli final summer season and made extra essential saves right here – flying to his left for a two-handed cease from a James Ward-Prowse first-half free-kick after which denying Antonio twice after the break.

However corners stay a weak spot which he and Spurs should tackle.

Bowen shines however defensive frailties damage Hammers

Moyes may have wished a response from West Ham after the galling 4-3 defeat at Newcastle, having been two objectives forward with quarter-hour remaining. Regardless of the early aim conceded, his group delivered.

“I genuinely thought we didn’t deserve to go behind,” Moyes instructed TNT Sports activities. “However the gamers did a very good job.

“We had a menace and so did they – they’re a very good facet and that is why they’re difficult for the Champions League. Possibly a draw was the appropriate end result in the long run.

“I’m sure after the way we played on the weekend, to see the way the defence played [here], we looked much more organised. We had set-pieces, we had chances, so overall hopefully it will give us good confidence.”

Issues had seemed constructive when Mohammed Kudus pressed excessive to win the ball again close to the Spurs space, earlier than crossing from the left for Bowen to fireside vast from a very good place.

Seconds later the Hammers switched off in defence and Spurs led, one other instance of the frailties which have annoyed followers on this marketing campaign.

Moyes’ males have now conceded 55 league objectives this season, the identical quantity as the entire of 2022-23, and are and not using a clear sheet in 11 matches.

However there’s clearly some hearth on this West Ham facet, sparked by the inspirational Bowen who raised a taunting fist in defiance on the away followers after delivering the dead-ball routine for Zouma’s equaliser.

The hosts went on to create the higher possibilities, however couldn’t discover the winner.