West Ham United produced an eye-catching recovery at Wembley Stadium as they beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.
The Hammers were bitterly disappointing in the first half against their local rivals, eventually slumping two goals behind before the break thanks to goals from Moussa Sissoko and Dele Alli. However, they rallied impressively in the second period and two quick strikes from Andre Ayew drew them level and silenced the national stadium. Angelo Ogbonna powered home a corner mid-way through the second period as pressure relieved off of under-fire Hammers’ boss Slaven Bilić.
Tottenham flying again
It only took the hosts five minutes for Tottenham Hotspur to gain an advantage at Wembley. Record signing Moussa Sissoko combined well with Heung-Min Son before side-footing past Adrián in the West Ham goal.
They could have doubled their lead too had in not been for the Spaniard pawing away Dele Alli’s powerful header. The young Englishman though was at the forefront again as Spurs eventually did find their second goal of the night. Picking the ball up on the edge of the area, the ex-MK Dons midfielder looked to place the ball in the bottom corner before it took a deflection off of West Ham defender Declan Rice and nestled in the net.
Hammers half-time reaction
Despite Mauricio Pochettino’s men being by far the stronger side going into the break, the Hammers rallied after the break with ex-Swansea City forward André Ayew earning his team a lifeline by striking with excellent reactions. From a West Ham corner, Edimilson Fernandes struck with a powerful shot as he collected the loose ball. Michel Vorm could only parry to the feet of Ayew who tucked into an empty net.
The Ghanaian then spurned a glorious chance to equalise at Wembley but could only head straight at the goalkeeper from an Aaron Cresswell cross. However, Ayew did eventually level against the Irons’ London rivals. Andy Carroll created panic in the Spurs penalty area and nodded down to Manuel Lanzini. The Argentine then crossed to goal-scorer Ayew who scooped the ball past Vorm and into the back of the net.
Ogbonna completes the turnaround
Tottenham did have a chance to regain their lead instantly as Alli fired a thunderous acrobatic volley which was well-saved by Adrián. The Hammers however were not done there and surprisingly took a shock lead at Wembley. The Hammers earned a corner which was taken by Lanzini. The pressure lifting off of manager Slaven Bilić was almost visible as Angelo Ogbonna dispatched a brilliant header beyond Vorm.
Spurs continued to threaten as the likes of Sissoko and Alli blazed high and wide respectively. Defender Kieran Tripper also curled wide from a free kick.
Pochettino’s last roll of the dice
Spurs boss Pochettino made two late changes in an effort to rectify the score-line as he introduced Christian Eriksen and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou. West Ham though continued to carve out the better openings as Ogbonna yet again went close from a corner.
The Lilywhites continued to cross the ball into the West Ham penalty area in the final stages but were not able to find a Tottenham head. As a result, West Ham shocked their hosts as they progressed to the quarter-finals.
Final Thoughts
It is fair to say, West Ham looked severely bereft of any confidence in the first half at Wembley Stadium. Tottenham were barely out of second gear and still managed to cruise into a two-goal advantage.
Going into the second period, Spurs were shocked as the Hammers drew level. They still managed to create chances but it was their defending of set pieces that was the sticking point. Pochettino’s men will certainly have to improve as they clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
Meanwhile, West Ham United travel for a huge match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park at the weekend.
Match Report
Tottenham Hotspur: Vorm (6); Foyth (6); Alderweireld (6), Davies (7); Trippier (6), Sissoko (7), Dier (6), Alli (7), Rose (6) (Eriksen (N/A), 81′); Llorente (5) (Dembélé (6) 72′), Son (6) (Nkoudou (5), 83′).
West Ham United: Adrián (6); Kouyaté (5), Rice (6), Ogbonna (7); Byram (6), Fernandes (6) (Obiang (5) 77′), Noble (6), Cresswell (6), Lanzini (7) (Arnautović (N/A), 88′); Carroll (6), Ayew (8).
Goals: Sissoko (6′), Alli (37′), Ayew (55′, 60′), Ogbonna (70′)
Referee: Mike Dean
Yellow Cards: N/A
Red Cards: N/A
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