Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou praised his team’s resilience and effort after their emphatic 4-1 win over West Ham in a heated London derby. Despite the scoreline, the Spurs boss emphasised that the victory didn’t come easily, especially after going behind early in the first half.
“We had to work hard for that result,” Postecoglou said in his post-match interview with BBC Match of the Day. “West Ham are a strong side, and after they scored the first goal, it was important for us to stay calm and stick to our game plan.”
Mohammed Kudus gave West Ham the lead in the 18th minute, but Postecoglou’s side responded well, with Dejan Kulusevski levelling the match before halftime. The Spurs manager highlighted the significance of that equaliser.
“Kulusevski’s goal was crucial,” Postecoglou noted. “It came at a time when we were pushing hard, and it gave the players belief going into the second half.”
The second half saw the Lilywhites shift into another gear, with goals from Yves Bissouma and Son Heung-Min, plus an own goal from West Ham keeper Alphonse Areola. Postecoglou was particularly impressed with how his team controlled the game after the break.
“In the second half, we were much more clinical,” he explained. “We moved the ball quickly, pressed high, and took advantage of the spaces. It’s a credit to the lads—they didn’t just rely on the early goals; they kept pushing for more.”
However, the Tottenham boss was quick to point out that despite the comfortable win, the game had its challenges, particularly in the physicality of the contest. Mohammed Kudus’ red card for violent conduct in the 86th minute was a reminder of the intensity of the derby.
“London derbies are never easy,” Postecoglou said. “You have to earn your win, and today was no different. The lads showed character, especially after the disappointment of the Brighton game before the break.”
The win marks a strong recovery for Tottenham, who squandered a 2-0 lead in their last outing against Brighton to lose 3-2. For Postecoglou, this result was a sign of the team’s growing maturity.
“We’re learning and improving,” he added. “There’s still a long way to go, but today was an important step. We’ll enjoy the win, but we know there’s more to come.”
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