Boxing world pays tribute to working-class legend and former champion
Spurs ease past West Ham to put Potter back under pressure
Tottenham Hotspur's Mohammed Kudus (second left) has a shot at goal during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London, September 13, 2025
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
by Paul Donovan
at the London Stadium
WEST HAM once again totally imploded on Saturday, after holding their own for more than half this game against Spurs at the London Stadium.
While the home fans loudly booed returning striker Mohammed Kudus every time he touched the ball, it was the little Ghanian who had the last laugh, helping dismantle his old team. Then, the boos died away, as most the West Ham fans had already left the stadium before the end.
The first half was an evenly matched affair as the two sides largely cancelled each other out.
The best effort for West Ham came when Lucas Paqueta rolled the ball wide after Jarrod Bowen found him in the penalty area.
For Spurs, Cristian Romero headed the ball home from a corner but was adjudged to have fouled Kyle Walker-Peters in the process.
The second half was just a minute old when West Ham hit the self destruct button.
First, a totally unmarked Pape Matar Sarr came in round the back to head home a corner.
Tomas Soucek then lunged in with studs up, hitting Joao Palhinha In the leg. He was duly sent off for the challenge.
Two minutes after the sending off Romero launched a ball from the back to find Lucas Bergvall, who acrobatically headed home.
The rout was completed, when Bergvall wriggled free in the area to lay the ball off for Micky van de Ven to sweep home.
Worryingly for West Ham there was little sign of a fight back.
Manager Graham Potter rang the changes but to little effect. Many, though, must have wondered about the original selection, packing the central midfield with four players, while leaving both strikers (Callum Wilson and Nicolas Fullkrug) on the bench.
Potter recognised how events conspired, with a soft goal followed by the red card. “Our home form has not been good for a period of time. All we can do is focus on the positive things,” said Potter.
Spurs manager Thomas Frank was pleased with the win. “It was a my win and a good performance,” said Frank, who pointed out that the club had not won at the London Stadium for six years.
This disappointing outcome will throw further doubt on the future of Potter as West Ham manager.
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