Tottenham vs West Ham final score, highlights and analysis as Emerson Royal and Son send Spurs into top four

Dan Gibbs

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Tottenham vs West Ham final score, highlights and analysis as Emerson Royal and Son send Spurs into top four image

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR STADIUM, LONDON — Tottenham moved into the top four with a 2-0 win over London rivals West Ham as Emerson Royal and substitute Son Heung-min scored second-half goals.

Emerson notched on his 50th Premier League appearance while Son, who was benched ahead of Richarlison, is now two goals away from becoming the first Asian player to score 100 Premier League goals.

In truth, the opening 45 was pretty bleak. After Jarrod Bowen's half-volley went just wide in the first minute of play, we had to wait until the 34th for the first shot on target as Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg had his effort comfortably saved from distance.

It wasn't quite the fiery spectacle a London derby between these two clubs was supposed to be serving up. No handbags, no pushing and shoving, just an Oliver Skipp yellow card for a clumsy tackle on Michail Antonio. There wasn't much oomph or passion on show altogether from either side. 

It took until injury-time for the home crowd to genuinely get excited as Cristian Romero came closest to breaking the deadlock as he headed just over from a corner.

They didn't have Antonio Conte to click them into gear at half-time, the Italian boss absent as he recovers from gallbladder surgery, but assistant Cristian Stellini must have certainly given them a dressing down during the break.

Spurs came out the blocks quickest in the second half though and just like they seem to always do these days, played the second 45 with so much more intent. Richarlison and Kane both missed early opportunities before right-back Emerson Royal opened the scoring on 56 minutes.

A lovely through ball from Hojbjerg sent Ben Davies down the left wing and he played a neat pass to Emerson to slot home. Richarlison was taken off on 67 minutes for Son with the South Korean's arrival greeted to huge cheers.

Those cheers got even louder when Kane and Son combined for the fourth time in the league this season as the latter converted from close range to send Tottenham on their way to three points and back in the Champions League spots.

Up next for Tottenham is the visit of Chelsea while the Hammers, sat 18th in the table, host Nottingham Forest. 

The Sporting News was following the match live and providing live score updates and commentary below.

MORE: Updated EPL standings and race for title, Champions League places, and relegation survival

Tottenham vs West Ham final score

  1H 2H Final
Tottenham 0 2 2
West Ham 0 0 0

Goals:
TOT — Emerson Royal (56th min)

TOT — Son Leung-min (72nd min)

Will Richarlison start against Chelsea?

On today's showing it's hard to see him being given the nod. The Brazilian's inclusion to start ahead of Son Heung-min was the big talking point prior to kickoff and Spurs fans would have been hoping to see some inspiration up top. 

"We made this decision because we have a big squad...today we want to use energy," Cristian Stellini explained when discussing Richarlison's inclusion. Sure, the 25-year-old offered energy and plenty of legs in the final third but it was all a little too chaotic. A mis-placed pass here, a hesitant shot there, slow reactions too. This wasn't quite the player who scored three for Brazil at Qatar in last year's World Cup.

For Spurs, Richarlison's last goal came in the September in the Champions League and he's yet to score in the league this term. Granted, he's been starved of the minutes and starts he'd like but the key today was seeing his link-up play with Kane and Kulusevski not quite click in the final third. 

The collective sigh from the home crowd as Richarlison lacked any conviction with his shot at the start of the second half was also telling. While Son hasn't exactly pulled up trees himself this season, you feel right now he's still the safest option and Conte, or Stellini if he's still in the dugout, could well opt for Son to return to the starting XI next Sunday for Chelsea's visit. After all, Son responded in perfect fashion by combining with Kane just five minutes after coming on.

Can Tottenham finish in the top four?

If you take the Tottenham team that played the second half, then yes. If you're asking this question based on the Spurs team of the first half, then probably not. It's no secret the tale of Spurs' season so far has been slow starts followed by second half intensity and comebacks.

Sometimes that hasn't paid off as it's been a case of too little, too late for Spurs to mount comebacks but today a poor West Ham side allowed them to get away with it. Nothing really clicked in the first half for Spurs, it was all a bit too slow and no real sense of urgency. That changed at half-time with Kane and Richarlison both having early chances that lifted the crowd and got them going.

The introduction of Son and the return of Lucas Moura were also well received while Kulusevski also grew in confidence throughout the match, something the Swede has lacked in previous weeks. If Son and Kulusevski can rediscover the form that once made those two and Kane one of the most feared front-threes in the league, then any realistic challenge for the top four will surely stem from there.

That attacking intent needs to be there from the off though as they won't always get the luxury they had today of opponents barely threatening their goal. After today's result, Spurs sit fourth, one point above fifth-placed Newcastle having played a game more than the Magpies. Newcastle have already beaten Spurs this season and you already feel Conte's side can't afford to lose the return leg in April. Brighton, Fulham and Liverpool are among the chasing pack should Spurs slip up. If they want top four there really can be no more backpedaling for the north London side.

Tottenham vs West Ham live updates, highlights from Premier League 

FULL-TIME: TOTTENHAM 2-0 WEST HAM 

Tottenham are back into the top four while West Ham suffer a 13th league defeat of the season that leaves them in the relegation zone.

90th min: Four minutes added on.

88th min: Sarr and Moura are coming on for the final few minutes. Skipp and Kulusevski make way.

86th min: A few big tackles flying in now and the Spurs crowd are enjoying every bit. West Ham still struggling to create anything in the final third and Spurs seem happy to ride it out.

81st min: Emerson and Ogbonna are off. Johnson and Fornals come on to try and inject a bit of life and attacking threat into West Ham's play.

77th min: Lenglet is off for Perisic. The Frenchman hasn't really put a foot wrong today.

72nd min: GOAL! TOTTENHAM 2-0 WEST HAM

He's only been on the pitch a matter of minutes but Son has his goal! This guy does not like being benched. Kane plays him through and he keeps his cool to. slot past Fabianski. The crowd enjoyed that one.

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70th min: Ings and Benrahma are on for West Ham as Moyes rings the chances. Downes and Antonio come off. West Ham have created very little this second half.

67th min: Richarlison is replaced by Son to big cheers from the home crowd.

63rd min: West Ham just need to soak up the pressure a little as Tottenham are on the front foot. Can't afford to go two behind. They push forward to win a corner of their own but Spurs clear.

60th min: Antonio gets booked for a foul on Kane.

57th min: Bowen almost responds instantly after finding space in the box and it's a smart save from Forster down to his right.

56th min: GOAL! Tottenham 1-0 West Ham

Emerson Royal gives the home side the lead, rounding off a brilliant team goal. The wing-backs combine as Davies squares the ball to Royal having burst down the left and the Brazilian slots home comfortably. A brilliant through ball from Hojbjerg started the move.

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49th min: Spurs go close again! This time Kane is through on goal but at a tight angle he drags his shot wide.

47th min: Big chance for Spurs but Richarlison wastes it. Kulusevski robs the West Ham defender of possession to spark a quick counter attack and after a neat one-two with Kane the ball is put on a plate for the incoming Richarlison whose tame effort is straight at the keeper.

We're back underway!

HALF-TIME: TOTTENHAM 0-0 WEST HAM

45th min: Kane picks out Richalison with a lovely ball over the top and as Fabianksi comes out to narrow the angle the Brazilian gets a shot off from the left, but the keeper saves well with his legs. The resulting corner sees Romero head just over the bar. Probably Spurs' best chance of the half.

41st min: Rice is winning plenty of the battles in midfield, as you'd expect, but he's not got many options to play the ball to once he wins possession. Antonio is running hard but has had little success so far.

34th min: We have our first shot on target! Hojbjerg hits one from the edge of the box but it's an easy save for Fabianski. It feels like he hit it purely because the crowd were just urging someone to have a go. Not quite the end result the fans hoped for.

30th min: We've reached the half an hour mark and we're still yet to see a shot on target. To say it's been a scrappy game so far would be an understatement right now...

25th min: Ogbonna absolutely flattens Kane when attempting to win a header but Spurs don't make the most of the resulting free-kick. Kane then tries to feed the ball to Richarlison but it's just cut out. Not quite clicking up front just yet but the home side are growing into the match.

20th min: Richarlison gets the better of Kehrer on the edge of the box but gets his feet in a muddle after and is quickly dispossessed. Needed to get the shot away much quicker.

14th min: A quick VAR check after Richarlison's shot from close range appeared to strike Kehrer's arm but no penalty is given. Referee Michael Oliver waved the appeals away in real time too.

11th min: Kulusevski crosses into the box from the left flank but it's headed clear. The ball falls kindly for Skipp on the edge and his first time volley is on target but is deflected behind.

7th min: Finally a bit of attacking urgency from Spurs with Kane picking up the ball in the middle and trying to play in Richarlison. West Ham deal with the pressure though and clear their lines. Skipp is the first player booked for a late tackle on Antonio.

4th min: West Ham have certainly started the brighter with two corners already. Spurs looking a tad slow out the blocks.

2nd min: Big early chance for the visitors as Bowen hits a low effort first time from the edge of the box from Soucek's pass and it goes a couple of inches wide of Forster's post. Early wake up call for Spurs!

We're underway!

5 mins from kickoff: The atmosphere is building here and it looks to be a full house inside the stunning Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The teams will be making their way out shortly.

10 mins from kickoff: These two sides have already played each other twice this season. In August they shared the points in a 1-1 draw and then just before Christmas, Spurs edged a 2-1 win in an EFL Cup quarterfinal meeting. 

Kane fired blanks in both of those so he's due a goal today...

20 mins from kickoff: Conte won't be on the touchline today as his continues his recovery from gallbladder surgery. Rest assured he's still been in contact with Stellini ahead of today's match though.

Stellini said: "Since he came back he felt that maybe he underestimated the procedure after the surgery. Then coming closer to the game, the stress of it all, it created some problems. When he spoke to the doctor they said he needed to take it easy. He will be back soon but not as quickly as he would like.

"We have a call every day, maybe three times a day and every time he wants to come back. He repeats every day 'I want to come back Cristian, I'm sorry, how was the training? Tomorrow we have to organise this, we have to organise the team, what do you think?'. That is every time in his sentence.

"It's more important than football and this is the reason why the club, Antonio and the doctors made this decision. We don't know the time. The doctor has an idea but really it's a feeling from Antonio. That surgery was not easy, it was an emergency surgery and maybe he underestimated this. Antonio not 100% is not Antonio, and this creates stress."

45 mins from kickoff: Turns out that picture of Richarlison posted on the social media channels earlier was a big clue as to who was starting. The Brazilian gets the nod over Son Leung-min today. A big chance for him to prove himself.

As for West Ham, David Moyes makes two changes with Downes and Soucek coming into the side. Paqueta misses out through a shoulder injury.

60 mins from kickoff: The teams are in!

75 mins from kickoff: Team news to come in 15 mins. Here's Richarlison taking a stroll pitch side. The Brazilian hasn't scored a goal for Spurs since September.  He's not quite found the form he showed at the World Cup that's for sure...

In other news, the only other Premier League match today sees Manchester United leading Leicester 1-0 courtesy of Marcus Rashford's strike. The second half has just got underway and you can follow the updates here.

90 mins from kickoff: Here's a few interesting stats from our data expert to get your teeth into. Might help if you're thinking of putting a bet on too...

- Spurs are looking to avoid losing consecutive home Premier League London derbies for the first time since November 2004.

- Seven of Harry Kane’s 17 Premier League goals this season have come via his head - the most of any player across Europe’s top five leagues. 

- Even though he hasn’t scored across his last 12 Premier League outings, West Ham’s Michail Antonio, has scored more Premier League goals against Spurs (6) than he has against any other side. 

- No player has scored either the opening goal (7) or the winning goal (8) in more different Premier League games this season than Tottenham striker Harry Kane.

- Tottenham have scored more goals from corners than any other side in the Premier League this season (11) but West Ham are the only side yet to concede a goal from a corner this campaign.

120 mins from kickoff: Hello, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of today's London derby. It's the last match of what's been a thrilling Premier League game week and we're hoping for plenty of goals and drama to see us out. Let's get going!

Tottenham vs West Ham lineups

Tottenham starting XI (3-4-2-1): Forster (GK) — Romero, Dier, Lenglet,— Emerson Royal, Hojbjerg, Skipp, Davies  — Kulusevski, Richarlison — Kane

Tottenham subs: Austin (GK), Tanganga, Sanchez, Son, Perisic, Moura, Danjuma, Porro, Sarr

West Ham starting XI (3-4-2-1): Fabianski (GK) — Kehrer, Ogbonna, Aguerd — Coufal, Soucek, Rice, Emerson — Bowen, Downes — Antonio

West Ham subs: Areola (GK), Cresswell, Johnson, Lanzini, Scamacca, Fornals, Benrahma, Ings, Casey

MORE: Watch every Premier League match live with fuboTV in Canada

How to watch Tottenham vs West Ham

Here's how to watch all of the action from this match in some of the major territories:

  TV channel Streaming
USA NBC USA Network, Telemundo NBC app, fuboTV, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo
Canada — fuboTV Canada
UK Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League Sky GO
Australia — Optus Sport
New Zealand Sky Sport Premier League Sky Sport NOW
India Star Sports 3 Asia, Star Sports Select 1 Jio TV, Hotstar VIP
Hong Kong Now Premier League TV (Ch. 620-621) now TV
Malaysia Astro SuperSport 

Astro GO, sooka

Singapore 221 Hub Premier 1, 222 Hub Premier 2 StarHub TV+

UK: This match will be broadcast live in the UK via Sky Sports' TV and streaming services.

USA: This match streams on the NBC USA Network platform for subscribers in both English and Spanish.

Canada: Every Premier League game this season is live streaming exclusively via fuboTV in Canada.

Australia: Fans in Australia can stream every match live and on demand on Optus Sport. 

Dan Gibbs

Dan Gibbs Photo

Dan joined The Sporting News as a sub-editor in 2022, having previously been the deputy sports editor at the Daily Star and a sports journalist at The Metro, focusing on football and tennis. Often found following his team home and away, the most famous red and blue shirt in football ... Crystal Palace.