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| West Ham 1-1 Tottenham: 4 Talking Points from a Boring London Derby That Ends All Square |
LONDON STADIUM – Jarrod Bowen’s tenth Premier League goal of the season helped West Ham United hold Tottenham Hotspur to a 1-1 draw on Sunday in what turned out to be a pretty dull London derby.
Tottenham initially took the lead through Wilson Odobert in the 15th minute, capitalizing on a blunder by Max Kilman. But Graham Potter’s West Ham, still trying to find rhythm under their new coach, hit back with a quality finish from Bowen in the first half.
Despite the big names and a crowd of over 60,000 fans, the match never really took off. Here are four key takeaways from the game:
1. Spurs Have Bigger Things on Their Mind
Let’s be honest — Spurs didn’t look too bothered about this game. With a crucial Europa League semifinal second leg against Bodo/Glimt coming up this Thursday, Ange Postecoglou made it clear where his priorities lie. His starting XI featured a heavily rotated backline: Archie Gray, Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, and Djed Spence.
Sure, Postecoglou would’ve loved the win, but this match clearly wasn’t high on his list. Winning the Europa League is what really matters. That would book them a spot in next season’s Champions League and bring in serious cash — not to mention attract top talent.
But this game showed Tottenham still lack depth. Richarlison was almost invisible up front, and Yves Bissouma just doesn’t offer the control you need in midfield. If Spurs want to be serious contenders across competitions, they’ll need to invest in better squad depth this summer.
2. West Ham Just Want the Season to Be Over
This season has been a letdown for West Ham. Fans called for a new direction after getting tired of David Moyes’ playing style, but the arrival of Graham Potter hasn’t exactly sparked a revival.
They’ve been out of the FA Cup since January and have had nothing major to play for since. Even the usually electric atmosphere at London Stadium was flat — the Premier League anthem didn’t even play when the players walked out.
West Ham need a reset, big time. They’ve slipped while other mid-table teams like Fulham, Bournemouth, and Brentford have improved. Unless the Hammers get things sorted fast, they risk falling even further behind next season.
3. Mathys Tel: Promising, But Still Needs Time
Spurs made a late move to bring in Mathys Tel on loan from Bayern Munich — with an option to buy for around £50 million. That’s a lot of cash for a player who’s still finding his feet.
Tel played on the left with Son Heung-min sidelined. He did a good job pressing Kilman and forcing the error that led to Odobert’s goal, but beyond that, he didn’t pose much of a threat.
It’s clear Tel has talent, but is he really worth £50 million? And what’s his best position? These are the questions Tottenham will need to answer before deciding whether to make his move permanent.
4. West Ham Missing a Midfield Boss
Potter’s system has changed how West Ham play. Bowen and Kudus now operate more centrally, while the width comes from wing-backs like Wan-Bissaka and Emerson. Structurally, it looks decent.
But there’s a missing piece: someone who can control the tempo in midfield.
Lucas Paquetá is supposed to be that guy. He has the vision, the technique, and passing range. But he plays a little too slow for the fast-paced game Potter is trying to implement. He also gets caught on the ball too often, putting West Ham in risky spots.
James Ward-Prowse, who started on the bench, doesn’t seem to be the answer either. With Paquetá possibly leaving this summer, West Ham will need to find a new midfield leader — someone who can really dictate the game and bring energy to the center of the park.
This match felt more like a formality than a fierce London derby. West Ham fans are just counting down the days to the end of a forgettable season, while Spurs are focused on European glory. Both clubs clearly have big decisions to make in the summer — and they better get it right.
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