Tottenham Hotspur’s new era under the leadership of Ange Postecoglou has begun with a disappointing loss against West Ham at Optus Stadium. In an entertaining pre-season friendly match in Perth, the Hammers came out on top with a 3-2 victory, thanks to a late goal from Gianluca Scamacca. Despite a strong fightback from Spurs, who were down by two goals, they were unable to secure a win.
Postecoglou’s attacking style of play showed early promise, with Spurs dominating most of the match. They had 31 shots compared to West Ham’s five, and enjoyed over 70 percent of possession. The game felt like it was being played solely in West Ham’s half during the second half, as Spurs continued to create chances and put the opposition under pressure. However, they struggled to convert their opportunities into goals, while West Ham capitalized on set pieces to take a commanding lead.
Despite the defeat, there were positive signs for Spurs under Postecoglou’s leadership. Their patient build-up in attack and fluid movement across the front line impressed the fans and bodes well for the upcoming Premier League campaign. The Aussie manager’s first match in charge may not have resulted in a victory, but the performance was encouraging.
West Ham, on the other hand, had a successful tour Down Under, securing two wins in two games. Prior to their victory over Spurs, they had defeated Perth Glory 6-2. However, their match against Tottenham proved to be more challenging, as they were forced to defend for most of the game and rely on their efficiency from set pieces to secure the win.
One of the standout players in the match was Harry Kane, who drew the biggest reaction from the crowd in Perth. However, the English international struggled to make an impact on the game, with West Ham’s defenders Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna marshaling him well. The speculation surrounding Kane’s future has been a subject of discussion since Postecoglou’s arrival, and the rumors are likely to continue as the pre-season progresses.
The final score of the match was 3-2 in favor of West Ham, with goals from Danny Ings, Divin Mubama, and Gianluca Scamacca for the Hammers, and Giovani Lo Celso and Destiny Udogie for the Spurs. Throughout the game, there were several chances for both teams, and the intensity remained high until the final whistle.
In the second half, Spurs mounted a comeback with goals from Lo Celso and Udogie, drawing the game level. However, their hopes of a win were dashed when Scamacca scored a late winner for West Ham. Despite the loss, Spurs can take away positives from their performance, particularly their resilience and determination to fight back.
Overall, the match showcased the potential of the new era under Postecoglou for Tottenham Hotspur. While the result may not have gone their way, the attacking style of play and dominance in possession were promising signs. As they continue their preparations for the Premier League, Spurs will look to build on these strengths and work on converting their chances into goals.
In conclusion, Tottenham Hotspur’s new era under Ange Postecoglou began with a loss against West Ham in a pre-season friendly. Despite dominating in possession and creating numerous chances, Spurs were unable to secure a victory. West Ham capitalized on set pieces to take a two-goal lead, but Spurs fought back to level the score. However, a late goal from Scamacca secured the win for the Hammers. Despite the loss, there were encouraging signs for Spurs under Postecoglou’s leadership, including their attacking style of play and dominance in possession. With the Premier League approaching, Spurs will aim to build on these positives and work on converting their chances into goals.