There’s a lot of blokes taking bibs off and putting jerseys on at the Spurs bench as the second half approaches so expect a very different-looking team when play resumes.
Photo The Sydney Morning Herald
8.55pm
HALF-TIME - West Ham leads 2-0
Well, Ange Postecoglou warned there would be bumps in the road ahead. We’ve encountered a couple already tonight - two poorly defended set pieces which were duly punished by West Ham, underlining why Tottenham is in the market for some new blokes to play at the back...
Postecoglou will be pleased with some of the passing football his team has played and the chances they’ve generated, but unhappy with the defending - and the finishing.
Clearly they’re a work in progress.
What would Ange have made of that?Credit: Getty
8.54pm
Tottenham penalty shout turned down
Spurs have been denied a pretty clear-cut penalty as Manor Solomon is tackled by Bowen after he’d taken a shot - again, right at Fabianski. If there was VAR they’d be reviewing that and awarding a spot kick.
West Ham surge straight down to the other end and wow - Bowen shoots low and it was bound for the bottom corner until Vicario’s wonderful low save.
And that’s half-time!
8.50pm
How have they not scored?
Two balls fly across the face of the West Ham goal and somehow neither one has been tipped into the net. Some sizzling attacking play here from Spurs - and then another ball into the box for Kane, who can’t quite control it properly. Lots of half-chances and near-misses, and they’re piling up.
Photo The Sydney Morning Herald
Half-time is fast approaching.
8.47pm
Fabianski makes three quick saves
Solomon forces a fine save out of Fabianski, after some good work from James Maddison - the two new signings combining. That’s more like it.
Again, then, a few moments later, a header from Maddison goes straight to Fabianski, who catches the ball with ease.
It’s the 38th minute - and a big round of applause from the crowd in recognition of the late Dylan Tombides, the ex-West Ham prospect, Perth lad and former Australian youth international who passed away from testicular cancer in 2014.
And another save from Fabianski - Bissouma waltzes into the penalty box and hits it right at the goalkeeper from close range. He tips it wide. This has been a productive few minutes for Spurs.
8.42pm
Spurs are probing without success
Tottenham have been searching for a way back into the contest but have had a hard time finding one. They’re passing the ball nicely, moving it about but haven’t really penetrated much since West Ham’s double sucker-punch.
We’re 10 minutes away from half-time and it’s 2-0 to the Hammers.
8.36pm
A look at the action so far
Yves Bissouma on the ball for Tottenham.Credit: Getty
Harry Kane is leading the way.Credit: Getty
Photo The Sydney Morning Herald
8.31pm
West Ham double their lead
Spurs go back to Vicario in possession, but he’s caught on the ball and has to put it out for a corner... and wow. It was taken quickly and it’s 2-0. That’s been put away by Divin Mubama, and West Ham’s lead has been doubled in the 23rd minute.
What a brutal start for Tottenham. They’ve looked pretty good but suddenly find themselves two goals behind.
8.26pm
West Ham takes the lead...
Already we can see how aggressive Ange’s Tottenham will be. They’ve set up in a 4-1-4-1, but with left-back Sergio Reguilón tucking infield regularly, effectively giving them another midfielder in addition to the five actual ones on the park.
They are very much on the front foot, which is no surprise, and Solomon has been very, very impressive down the right - I’ve spotted Postecoglou urging him to position himself further up the flank on a couple of occasions.
And for all that... West Ham takes the lead in the 18th minute, from a second phase set piece.
That’s ordinary defending. Jarrod Bowen’s cross is met by Danny Ings, he squeezes past his marker and guides it home. 1-0. Simple as that.
8.17pm
Kane, Maddison shots saved!
There’s some action - another tasty move, this time down the left, sees Manor Solomon cut the ball back for Harry Kane, whose first touch is a fraction heavy. He still manages to squeeze away a shot, though it’s smothered by West Ham goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański.
The Hammers immediately spring forward on the counter-attack but Tottenham ride it out and see off the danger - and a few minutes later, it’s almost a carbon copy, with Solomon again setting up James Maddison, who shoots from an acute angle. It’s saved, again, but Spurs are beginning to carve out chances.
Postecoglou is standing on the edge of his technical area, hands in pockets, watching intently.
