Lanzini sinks Spurs to put Chelsea on verge of title

WEST HAM 1 TOTTENHAM 0

Tottenham’s title hopes were dealt a decisive blow as Manuel Lanzini’s strike gave West Ham a memorable 1-0 win over their London rivals last night.

Spurs needed a victory to keep the pressure on leaders Chelsea but will now find themselves seven points adrift, with only three games to play, if the Blues beat Middlesbrough at home on Monday.

Such has been their impressive pursuit of Chelsea that Mauricio Pochettino’s side arrived at the London Stadium looking for a 10th straight Premier League win.

Few people in either camp would have foreseen any other outcome, either, with West Ham limping towards the finishing line of what has been a torrid season.

Yet it seems there is nothing like a home game against Tottenham to rouse the Hammers and their fans – just a year ago a 1-0 defeat at Upton Park put a major dent in Spurs’ eventually unsuccessful title bid.

For all the talk of the lack of atmosphere at West Ham’s new home, it crackled early on as some old-fashioned derby tackles went in.

And as Lanzini smashed home the second-half winner, a roar went up like nothing heard at the former Olympic Stadium since Mo Farah came down the final straight in 2012.

Meanwhile, Stoke boss Mark Hughes is not ruling out the club trying to sign John Terry this summer but has emphasised he expects there will be “a lot of interest” in the veteran defender.

The 36-year-old Chelsea captain is leaving the Blues when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Fourth-placed Manchester City host Crystal Palace today, while Everton visit Swansea.

Tomorrow Liverpool entertain Southampton and Manchester United travel to face Arsenal.

Manuel Lanzini celebrates his goal.