Tottenham edge past West Ham to keep top four hopes alive

Tottenham Hotspur returned to winning ways as they saw off West Ham 2-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

An own goal from Tomas Soucek and a late strike from Harry Kane sent Spurs on their way to a crucial three points.

The first opening of the game came for the visitors, a brilliant knock down from Michail Antonio played Hammers’ skipper Mark Noble towards goal but the midfielder failed to control it properly meaning Hugo Lloris was able to gather easily.

Spurs dominated much of the early possession, although struggled to do much with it as West Ham’s defence held strong in the opening moments of the game.

Moments later, Pablo Fornals was the first player to go into the book for a late challenge on Spurs right back Serge Aurier, who fortunately escaped unscathed.

A double save from Lloris kept the visitors at bay, firstly Antonio was denied from close-range before January signing Jarrod Bowen saw his effort saved by the French stopper.

Lucas Moura found space 30 yards out before firing a fizzing effort on goal, Lukasz Fabianski was equal to it and sent it over the top for a Spurs corner.

Shortly after the drinks break, Kane had his first sighter of the evening, sending an effort straight down Fabianski’s throat to keep the scores level.

On the half hour mark, Kane was once more involved, connecting a head from Aurier’s cross but the England captain failed to make proper contact, leaving the ball to drift over the bar.

On the stroke of half time, Son Heung-min saw a strike disallowed for offside after narrowly moving into an offside position. Moura also had an opportunity before the break, hitting an effort wide of the post after being picked out well by Ben Davies from the left flank as the sides went into the break goalless.

The first opportunity of the second half came for Eric Dier, who bursted through from defence but the Englishman’s effort was well off target in the end.

Spurs continued to pile on the pressure, this time Aurier found Kane in the box but a flick from Spurs’ number ten was dealt with by Fabianski to leave the sides level.

Fornals had West Ham’s best chance but failed to strike his effort on target after being brilliantly found by Bowen from the right side.

The hosts almost took the lead almost straight away, Kane being found by the returning Dele Alli, but the Spurs strikers effort was narrowly over the top.

Tottenham produced a brilliant counter-attack following a West Ham corner, Son started it all off, playing Giovani Lo Celso through down the left, before he found an unmarked Kane in the box but the England man failed to direct his effort beyond Fabianski.

Moments later, Declan Rice played Antonio over the top but the Hammers’ man was unable to send it goalwards with his effort going well over the top.

The home side finally made their dominance pay just past the hour mark, after Souček turned the ball into his own net to send Spurs in front following a flick on from a Lo Celso corner.

Substitute Felipe Anderson worked a great opportunity from a corner but the Brazilian’s strike went just wide of the post, although Lloris did have it covered.

Bowen came close to finding an equaliser for West Ham after the ball fell to him in the box, his effort struck the post and went out for a Spurs goal kick.

Kane completed the job on the counter-attack after being played through by Son before unleashing a calm finish beyond Fabianski to send Spurs on their way to a much needed three points – their first in seven games in all competitions.