West Ham 1-1 Tottenham: Player ratings as Zouma cancels out Spurs opener

West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur played out a 1-1 draw in the Premier League on Tuesday night, in a game that promised plenty without ever really catching fire.

Brennan Johnson’s early goal was a dream start for Ange Postecoglou and Spurs, but Kurt Zouma’s headed equaliser levelled the score-line before the break and that was how it ultimately stayed.

How the game unfolded

The first big chance of the contest fell to West Ham just four minutes, with Mohammed Kudus winning possession and creating the opportunity for Jarrod Bowen. His effort from the middle of the penalty area missed the target, with the real kicker for the Hammers that Johnson then put Spurs into the lead instead only a moment later.

Timo Werner made it with pace to beat his marker on the left flank, cutting the ball back across the box and giving Johnson a chance that he could hardly miss.

As Spurs pressure continued, Pedro Porro’s long-range shot was only just wide, before Son Heung-min arguably should have done more with a chance just inside the box that was easily saved. Then it was the visitors’ turn to feel sick at not taking an opportunity, falling level as Zouma headed Bowen’s in-swinging corner from the left past the helpless Guglielmo Vicario from close-range.

The two sides proceeded to trade blows for the remainder of the first half without creating anything more in the way of clear-cut chances.

The energy was ramped back up as the second half began and the in-form Vicario was responsible for the Hammers not taking the lead for the first time. The Italian goalkeeper parried from Michail Antonio, before a stunning reaction save from Konstantinos Mavropanos – although an offside flag would have ruled a goal out for Antonio’s interference.

Vicario was at it again at the hour mark when Antonio chased a long punt over the Spurs defence. It was a top save but, one on one, West Ham’s No.9 was also guilty of a tame finish.

That intensity didn’t last. The tempo dropped and, despite a number of Spurs changes, there was no bringing it back. The visitors enjoyed more of the ball throughout the second half without ever being able to really test West Ham’s resistance. One final chance to win it at the death did come for Tottenham, with Destiny Udogie firing straight at Fabianski.

West Ham player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Lukasz Fabianski - 6/10 - Would have expected to be busier given the split in possession heavily favouring Spurs.

RB: Vladimir Coufal - 6/10 - Didn't look particularly comfortable against Werner's pace early on but probably wasn't tested enough in the end.

CB: Konstantinos Mavropanos - 7/10 - Looked well up for this one as a former Arsenal player.

CB: Kurt Zouma (c) - 7/10 - Took his headed goal well and led his team by example.

LB: Emerson - 6/10 - Had his work cut with the dual threat on Spurs' right flank.

CM: Lucas Paqueta - 7/10 - Missed the target with a couple of shots from distance early in the second half but largely occupied himself with defensive work.

CM: Tomas Soucek - 6/10 - Role was largely that of screening. Surprisingly weak in the air.

RM: Jarrod Bowen - 7/10 - Missed an early chance but made up for it with the corner that made the equaliser. Pace and movement always had the potential to threatnen.

AM: James Ward-Prowse - 5/10 - Largely handed the set-piece baton to Bowen for this one. Didn't see loads of the ball.

LM: Mohammed Kudus - 7/10 - Began well and also seemed there or thereabouts even if he ultimately didn't make a lot of attacking impact. Top work ethic though.

ST: Michail Antonio - 6/10 - Played well with his back to goal and occupied the Spurs centre-backs, although his finishing left plenty to be desired.

Substitutes

Subs not used: Joseph Anang (GK), Ben Johnson, Angelo Ogbonna, Aaron Cresswell, Kalvin Phillips, George Earthy, Maxwel Cornet, Divin Mubama, Danny Ings

Manager

David Moyes - 8/10 - Trusted his starters and opted not to use the bench. Tactics worked a treat.

Tottenham player ratings (4-2-3-1)

GK: Guglielmo Vicario - 8/10 - Kept his team in the game in the early stages of the second half. That might have been key to actually getting a point instead of none.

RB: Pedro Porro - 6/10 - Occupied a really high position when Spurs were on the ball in an attempt to create attacking overloads. Final ball lacking.

CB: Cristian Romero - 6/10 - Strong in the air.

CB: Micky van de Ven - 6/10 - Got away with one when he looked to have caught up with Antonio racing through and allowed the West Ham striker a second chance to shoot.

LB: Destiny Udogie - 7/10 - Played a similar role to Porro. Also deserves credit for his defensive work making it difficult for Bowen to operate in open play.

CM: Yves Bissouma - 6/10 - Impressive on the ball but didn't win enough of his tackles or duels.

CM: Rodrigo Bentancur - 7/10 - Shielded the back four well and help limit West Ham to predominantly counter attacks.

RM: Brennan Johnson - 7/10 - Exceptional delivery from the right made Spurs a threat on that side, notwithstanding his breakthrough goal.

AM: James Maddison - 6/10 - Saw plenty of the ball without having the incisive impact hoped. Didn't shy away from the physical battle of a derby.

LM: Timo Werner - 6/10 - Set up the opening goal marvellously well, but there were occasions when he lacked predatory instinct to get into the box. Faded oveall.

ST: Son Heung-min (c) - 5/10 - Not massively involved and lacked an edge when a chance came.

Substitutes

SUB: Dejan Kulusevski (70' for Maddison) - 7/10

SUB: Pape Sarr (70' for Bentancur) - 6/10

SUB: Richarlison (82' for Werner) - N/A

SUB: Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (82' for Bissouma) - N/A

SUB: Giovani Lo Celso (90' for Johnson) - N/A

Subs not used: Brandon Austin (GK), Ben Davies, Radu Dragusin, Emerson Royal.

Manager

Ange Postecoglou - 6/10 - Looked a good setup from the start but the parts weren't quite clicking. Made numerous changes to try and inject quality and it didn't happen.

Player of the match - Kurt Zouma (West Ham)

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