Callum Wilson's Last-Gasp Strike Sinks Tottenham's Crisis For Thomas Frank.
The cry that had been brewing for some time inevitably was belted out among the Spurs fans at the death. "Sacked in the morning," they chanted at Thomas Frank, their frustration finally uncontainable. To them, the time has arrived for him to go.
If the board are of that view is unknown. They understand about the issues Frank has encountered throughout a difficult campaign of transition. A crucial judgment of nerve lies ahead.
The match-winning moment belonged to West Ham replacement Callum Wilson during dying moments. The attacker, linked with a move away, had just been kept out by a last-ditch challenge from Pedro Porro. However, as the young full-back delivered a corner and Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario struggled to clear his area, a scramble followed. After the delivery bounced and fell kindly to Wilson, he converted inside the six-yard box.
A Beacon of Hope for West Ham's Survivors
This result was monumental to Nuno Espírito Santo and his West Ham side. Snapping an 11-game drought in the top flight felt fully deserved, particularly following a dominant opening 45-minute performance. The highlight was Crysencio Summerville's goal, marking the best spell played under Nuno so far.
The match had been labelled 'El Dissatisfactico' and the bulk of the angst was reserved for the hosts. When Porro's cross was headed home by Cristian Romero for the equaliser, the defender's reaction was telling: a cupped ear towards the home fans and a primal scream.
A Volatile Home Crowd
The mood among the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a battle all night. Encouragement and vitriol fought for supremacy. In the end, the boos prevailed, ringing out with venom at the final whistle. Frank has managed just two Premier League victories at home this term. Spurs have only three wins in 15 outings. The most glaring issue is attack. As the supporters having turned so vocally, the path back seems doubtful.
The visitors' resurgence was surprising after a demoralising loss last time out and an embarrassing loss at Wolves. Nuno pointed to last Sunday's FA Cup triumph against QPR for the lift, and there was disbelief and joy in the away end when Summerville opened the scoring.
Opening Dominance plus a Serious Injury
Summerville was lively early on, running at the backline. The opener originated from a well-executed break, started when Jarrod Bowen evaded a challenge which resulted in the Spurs left-back badly hurt. Davies was given medical attention before being carried off. The winger created space before his effort flicked off Micky Van de Ven past Vicario.
Tottenham spurned a big chance earlier as Mathys Tel shot over, setting the tone shifted to the struggle within the stadium. They grew increasingly edgy as Vicario persisted with short passes from goal.
Initial boos were heard when Taty Castellanos headed wide a great chance at the far post. They continued for misplaced passes, culminating in the half-time whistle. West Ham could have extended their lead, with a fistful of good chances that went begging.
A Fraught Second Half
Spurs' sole first-half response came from Odobert's effort which Alphonse Areola kept out. The manager brought on Yves Bissouma at halftime—his first game this campaign—and the edginess remained. The primary source of frustration remained Vicario on the ball, drawing further ire greeting his play as the game wore on.
The game grew feisty, featuring some heavy challenges. The captain's thumping equaliser midway through the half swung momentum, a real leader's goal. It appeared as though Spurs might steal all three points.
The visitors enjoyed a huge slice of luck as Oliver Scarles handled a cross in the box and no penalty was given following a review. Xavi Simons was also denied by a superb save from Areola. Before Wilson's late winner, sealing agony for Spurs while elation for West Ham.
