Advertisement
Michail Antonio celebrates against Spurs

Antonio strike sinks Spurs as top-four race intensifies

Michail Antonio scored the first opposition goal at Spurs’ new stadium as West Ham picked up a priceless away win.

TOTTENHAM WERE BEATEN for the first time at their new stadium as Michail Antonio fired West Ham to a surprise 1-0 victory over their London rivals on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side had won all four matches at their new £1 billion Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

But Antonio’s clinical second half strike ended that run as the West Ham winger became the first visiting player to score in the plush arena.

Third placed Tottenham’s second defeat in their last three Premier League games put a dent in their bid to finish in the top four.

They hold a three-point lead over fourth placed Chelsea and are four points ahead of fifth placed Arsenal, with both team in action on Sunday.

It was a frustrating warm-up for Tottenham’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Ajax in north London on Tuesday.

Pochettino had insisted Tottenham’s first European semi-final since the 1984 UEFA Cup was less significant than their top four challenge.

But the Tottenham manager’s team selection told a different story.

Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen was absent with a reported injury as Pochettino made four changes, including resting Kieran Tripper, Victor Wanyama and Fernando Llorente.

Pochettino revealed this week that injured striker Harry Kane hopes to be fit for the Champions League final if Tottenham make it and the England captain was watching from the stands as his club’s unbeaten start in the new stadium came to an end.

Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Goalscorer Michail Antonio celebrates. Simon Cooper Simon Cooper

Growing in confidence

With Son Heung-min suspended for the Ajax first leg, Pochettino had no reason to rest the South Korea forward against the Hammers and he was swiftly into the action as he raced away for a shot that cleared the bar.

Son should have done better on that occasion and he fluffed his lines again with a low shot that was too close to Hammers keeper Lukasz Fabianski after Dele Alli’s pass gave him a clear sight of goal.

West Ham finally broke out of their own half when Ryan Fredericks tested Hugo Lloris from long-range, but Tottenham remained on top as Lucas Moura drilled just wide of the far post.

A flowing Tottenham move unlocked the West Ham defence and Son’s blocked effort dropped perfectly for Christian Eriksen, but the Dane smashed his close-range shot straight at Fabianski.

Tottenham found it tougher to maintain any momentum in the second half, with Son’s unsuccessful penalty appeal, after being bundled over by Arthur Masuaku, made more in hope than expectation.

Manuel Pellegrini’s team were growing in confidence and they ended Tottenham’s unblemished record in their new arena in the 67th minute.

Marko Arnautovic chipped a superb pass towards Antonio and the winger controlled on his chest in the six-yard box before blasting a powerful finish past Lloris.

Celebrating with a bizarre bouncing motion, Antonio staged a joyous jig in front of the West Ham fans and he almost had them on their feet again in the closing minutes when his shot was pushed over by Lloris.

Tottenham looked tired in the closing stages, but they could have denied West Ham their first away win of 2019 when Vincent Janssen’s stoppage-time header was cleared off the line by Fabian Balbuena.

Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here:

Author
View 9 comments
Close
9 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Ryan
    Favourite Johnny Ryan
    Report
    Apr 27th 2019, 2:39 PM

    Nobody seems to want top four

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eoin Murphy
    Favourite Eoin Murphy
    Report
    Apr 27th 2019, 2:37 PM

    Haha

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nollaig Elliot
    Favourite Nollaig Elliot
    Report
    Apr 27th 2019, 2:42 PM

    I wonder would West Ham be interested in a straight swap deal between Lukaku and Antonio.?? The lad works his bellend off and has some pace.

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DL_8_5
    Favourite DL_8_5
    Report
    Apr 27th 2019, 2:58 PM

    @Nollaig Elliot: Speaking of bellends, wtf was the deal with his celebration!! Agree with you though, he puts in some work

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Nollaig Elliot
    Favourite Nollaig Elliot
    Report
    Apr 27th 2019, 3:12 PM

    @DL_8_5:

    A rush of blood no doubt. He’s a decent player man. Jiminez of Wolves is quality too.

    6
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seán Ó'Sionúir
    Favourite Seán Ó'Sionúir
    Report
    Apr 27th 2019, 4:06 PM

    @DL_8_5: he puts in a shift every time he’s out there and doesn’t take himself too seriously, few of the big ego’s in the premier should take note, comes across as a nice down to earth lad who knows he’s won life’s lottery, delighted with the win today ⚒

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chonky Racoon
    Favourite Chonky Racoon
    Report
    Apr 27th 2019, 3:02 PM

    No u can have top 4… Nah you can you… No u…. Awhh nahh you can take it… Nah gwan you can take it…

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute El_Monikerinho
    Favourite El_Monikerinho
    Report
    Apr 27th 2019, 2:45 PM

    City lost to these?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wenger In
    Favourite Wenger In
    Report
    Apr 27th 2019, 3:58 PM

    @El_Monikerinho: Yes.

    6
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel