Tottenham Hotspur vs West Ham: Fans blame poor strategy and defense as Hammers spring shock 3-3 draw
After a Harry Kane masterclass, Tottenham Hotspur was primed to knock off the Hammers on Sunday with a 3-0 lead by the end of the first half. What followed was an absolute nightmare for Jose Mourinho's men as West Ham bounced back in emphatic fashion to level the score 3-3. While the result was a draw, this was an absolute loss for the Spurs who had managed to get themselves in a dominating position. Son Heung-Min netted the first goal within 45 seconds followed by two more from their star striker Harry Kane.
But it all went down in the second half with Fabien Balbuena finding one for the Hammers in the 82nd minute, followed by Davinson Sánchez's own goal that dented the Spurs. To make matters worse, it was a Manuel Lanzini goal in the 90 + 4th minute that saw West Ham equalize. With the result now giving both sides just one point each, miffed fans took to Twitter where the Spurs defense and strategy came under harsh criticism.
"Depressing...Sanchez needs to be dropped...defense was poor...usual roller coaster ride for the fans..#diehardfan," read one of the comments after the draw.
Depressing...Sanchez needs to be dropped...defense was poor...usual roller coaster ride for the fans..#diehardfan
— m_bsingh62@yahoo.com (@Bsingh62M) October 19, 2020
With this, their massive 6-1 win against Manchester United's already's taking the backseat. "At this point, Spurs will be talking about this 6-1 for centuries. Someone give them a 6-1 trophy for their dusty cabinet. Their biggest achievement yet. Talk about levels," one of the fans wrote.
At this point, Spurs will be talking about this 6-1 for centuries. Someone give them a 6-1 trophy for their dusty cabinet. Their biggest achievement yet. Talk about levels.
— Rashford 2.0.🇧🇧🔰 (@Rashfordfc20) October 19, 2020
For those who eagerly awaited the entrance of Gareth Bale, there wasn't much to rejoice. "They brought on bale (which did nothing) and we brought on Lanzini the goat," mocked a fan.
They brought on bale (which did nothing) and we brought on Lanzini the goat😂
— ⚒Dylan Beam⚒ (@_DylanBeam) October 19, 2020
The strategy came into question as well. "Oh, God !! Jose, you should have substituted MATT DOHERTY with Ndombele ..... instead of that S**T Winks !! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW COSTLY YOUR MISTAKE COULD BE FOR US ....... ?" reckoned one of the fans.
Oh, God !!
— KO (@KO31517368) October 19, 2020
Jose, you should have substituted MATT DOHERTY with Ndombele ..... instead of that SHIT Winks !!
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW COSTLY YOUR MISTAKE COULD BE FOR US ....... ?
"Being a defender is definitely an ungrateful position, and today is proof, Sánchez played a great match, but one error, that let's be honest, was easy to make, it was his head or the attacker's foot, and now everybody thinks he is a liability, c'mon! Support, don't attack," read a comment by a fan who was in the mood for introspection after the game.
Being a defender is definitely an ungrateful position, and today is proof, Sánchez played a great match, but one error, that let's be honest, was easy to make, it was his head or the attacker's foot, and now everybody thinks he is a liability, c'mon! Support, don't attack
— Jessie Palacio 🇨🇦🇨🇴 (@Mein_Jardin) October 19, 2020
Talking to Sky Sports, Son spoke about the mood in the dressing room after the upset draw. "The lads are devastated for the result, of course," he said. "I think we deserved three points and we played really well until the last 10 minutes. It’s a big shock and the lads are devastated."
"That’s football. It should never happen, but this is football. I don’t want to feel this again, I think this is a good lesson for us. We dominated the game from the start and scored an early goal. We controlled the game, we had a couple of more chances to score, but when we score three goals at home, we can’t drop the points. The last goal, the strike was just unbelievable. Everyone is so sad to lose the two points. I would like to celebrate now and get three points, but it happens."
For some, it was just another surprise-filled Premier League weekend: "Another peculiar weekend of @premierleague football. I fell asleep with @SpursOfficial 3-0 up and as a Spurs-supporting friend was texting me his thoughts on exactly which minute #Bale would make it 4-0 and which celebration he’d pull out when he did. #funnyoldgame@WestHam."
Another peculiar weekend of @premierleague football. I fell asleep with @SpursOfficial 3-0 up and as a Spurs-supporting friend was texting me his thoughts on exactly which minute #Bale would make it 4-0 and which celebration he’d pull out when he did. #funnyoldgame @WestHam
— JohnDykes (@JohnDykesFC) October 19, 2020
What are your thoughts on the shock draw result?