Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United will meet at White Hart Lane in what should be crackling English Premier League London derby. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11:00pm AEDT.
Both sides will be determined to shrug off bad results in their previous league fixtures and so, as is often the case when city rivals clash, a heated battle is anticipated.
Three of the last four meetings between these two clubs have ended in victory for the Hammers. Sam Allardyce’s team beat Spurs twice in the league and once in the cup last season, including the remarkable 3-0 trouncing at White Hart Lane.
But that was the old Tottenham, a disparate, disinterested bundle of players, a team that constantly proved itself to be far less than the sum of its parts. Mauricio Pochettino has, after a slow start, overseen an immensely encouraging revival, somehow tying together what at times seemed like an irreparable situation.
Under his stewardship, Christian Eriksen has blossomed into one of the league’s most wonderfully creative attacking midfielders, making the second most key passes, while Harry Kane has taken his opportunity up front with relish. Kane has scored a phenomenal 23 goals in all competitions for Spurs so far and an England call-up has been confirmed by national manager Roy Hodgson.
Tottenham currently sit fifth on the form table (taking into account the last eight games) and sixth on the actual table. After a glorious derby victory over Arsenal two weeks ago, Spurs will want to push for fourth and a Champions League spot. They haven’t lost any of their last seven home fixtures.
Of course, Big Sam will be striving with every fibre of his considerable being to make it two league losses on the trot for Spurs. The West Ham gaffer enjoys nothing more than upsetting the cultured managers of the Premier league, and his focus will be firmly on ensuring his team play more like they did in their 1-1 draw against Manchester United on February 9, rather than their showing against West Brom in their last run out.
The FA Cup loss to the Baggies was an exhibition in utter calamity for West Ham, a 4-0 loss that saw them offer up none of the vivacious attacking football that has hallmarked most of their impressive season so far. West Ham have suffered a worrying downturn in form over the last handful of league matches, winless in their last three league games, although, to be fair, their last three opponents have been Southampton, Manchester United and Liverpool.
The Hammers are also stuck in the mire of an injury plague. Andy Carroll is out for the remainder of the season, while first-choice centre backs James Collins and Winston Reid are both doubtful.
Diafra Sakho will be looking to rediscover his form in front of goal, ably supported by the graft and energy of Enner Valencia, and West Ham fans will also be eager to see whether Allardyce continues to play Kevin Nolan in midfield, who has been unimpressive.
So, can the Hammers cause an upset?
The atmosphere will be fizzing, and anything can happen in an English Premier League derby, so join us here on The Roar from 11pm AEDT to follow all the thrills and spills on the live blog.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Very soft penalty, but Song's challenge was idiotic. As if you'd do that in the 95th minute!
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Cheers, Evan. Oh, boy, that match... That's thirteen points Spurs have stolen in the last five mins of Premier League fixtures this season. It's either grit or dumb luck, but I'll take them either way. Don't think it's doing my blood pressure any favours, though.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
For those interested, here's Rose's goal to make it 2-1 http://i.imgur.com/XP1GXhO.gifv And here's the penalty, both foul and conversion. Foul: http://i.imgur.com/wkyPQg4.gif Goal: http://i.imgur.com/PXEvFvA.gifv
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
FULL TIME SPURS - 2 WEST HAM - 2 Well, what can you say? West Ham were very good value for a victory there, and Allardyce will surely explode in the post-match press conference about the penalty. But it was a marginal call, so Spurs will take it. Eriksen's introduction changed the game, and Kane deserved to get a bit of meat, such was his endeavour. Spurs started and finished the game very well, and stay 6th on the table. West remain 8th, but will be furious they could hold on to the two goal lead. They controlled the midfield throughout, and Kouyate, Noble and Song were largely excellent. Football, as it can do, gave them a right old kick in the guts there, but they'll be stronger for it. For Tottenham, this fight back is just the way to start off an impending fixture-heavy spell. One thing is clear, however: Erik Lamela needs a defibrillator. Otherwise, the state of London football is very healthy indeed, on this evidence. Thanks for reading, pals!
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
95' SPURS: 2 WEST HAM: 2 Adrian saves the first attempt, but Kane has a tap in to level it up! This is a jailbreak! The full time whistle sounds. Allardyce looks filthy! What a finish! Tottenham have recovered 16 points from losing positions this season, simply incredible.!
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
95' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 Unbeleivable! Harry Kane goes down under a challenge from Song! The replays suggest a dive! Kane is going to take the penalty! He shoots and... SCORES ON THE SECOND ATTEMPT!
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
90+4' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 Lloris waves them forwards. His ball is cleared by Reid and Collins. AND THEN... PENALTY TO SPURS!!
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
90+3' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 West Ham repel a number of aerial bombardments. 2 minutes remain in the match. Some Spurs fans are seen leaving. Eriksen tries a shot after Walker surges down the right, but he blazes it woefully high.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
90+3 SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 SPurs dawdle a little and crowd bays for blood. Lloris hits it long, but West Ham defend it well. Collins clears into Row Z.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
90+2' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 Eriksen crosses and Adrian takes it cleanly. Can Spurs score at the death again? Jonathan Moss calls Soldado for a high foot. Seconds tick away.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
There will be 5 minutes added time.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
90' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 Sakho wins a throw deep in the Spurs half, a very smart bit of work. We enter the final minute of normal time. West Ham try an keep in the corner, but a goal kick eventuates.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
89' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 West Ham are hanging on by a thread, and Big Sam is a picture of calm on the touchline. Lamela fouls Song, and the release valve is opened for the Hammers.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
87' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 Spurs are stroking it around menacingly. They win a corner, and the pressure is rising! Eriksen takes, and Vertonghen head over.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
86' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 Lamela jinks in, but slips as he shoots. A sub is coming on... SUBSTITUTION WEST HAM OFF COLE ON COLLINS The substitute Cole has come off!
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
85' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 West Ham break, but Sakho's cross is poor. Carlton Cole is down on the ground, and Tottenham play on. Chadli loses the ball and West Ham clear desperately. Cole is still down, yet West Ham keep the ball in play.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
83' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 Only one West Ham player in the Spurs defensive half now, as Kane drives into the box and is tackled. Soldado slaps the ball goalwards, and Adrian makes a superb save!
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
81' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 Spurs now have 10 minutes to get an equaliser. West Ham have retreated back and are looking a little rattled. Sours prowl around outside the box, but Rose gives it away. Chadli then fouls a West Ham player trying to retrieve it.
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
80' SPURS – 1 WEST HAM – 2 GOAL FOR SPURS! After a short corner, Lamela whips it in. Adrian punches it out to Rose, who punches the ball straight into the ground, and it loops over the goalkeeper in the net! Strange scenes!
Evan Morgan Grahame
Expert
79' SPURS – 0 WEST HAM – 2 Lamela runs forward and is tackled, inevitably. Cresswell clears and a substitute is coming on... SUBSTITUTION SPURS OFF MASON ON CHADLI