Spurs split open Hammers in dominant derby victory

Sometimes you can actually change the players rather than the manager.

- MIGUEL DELANEY

At least for one match. In a game where both coaches were under some pressure, Ange Postecoglou was proactive with his own replacements, while Julen Lopetegui paid for his indecisiveness. The wonder is whether the Basque will even be at West Ham by the time Mohammed Kudus returns to the team, as the forward is facing at least a three-game ban, after one game here that visibly frustrated him.

His team were dismal in a 4-1 defeat that could have seen Tottenham score eight. As deserving as that would have been, the victory was still the tale of two subs - or really four. Spurs had been beginning to get on top towards the end of the first half, with Dejan Kulusevski having equalised Kudus's own opening strike. There was still more that could be done, though, especially given that James Maddison had been quite ineffective.

That was particularly so at corners.

Postecoglou decided to bring on Pape Matar Sarr for Maddison and Spurs almost immediately overran West Ham. Yves Bissouma had scored within minutes.

Postecoglou later stressed it was purely tactical, as he referred to West Ham's "physical power" in midfield. Another interpretation of that was that Lopetegui's team were so slow in the centre.

Really, it was obvious, to the point that the West Ham manager went to make three changes. He was nowhere near as quick as Spurs in getting it done, though. By the time that the players were on the sideline ready to come on, which took a mere three minutes, Spurs had scored another two goals.