Son’s double gives Pochettino hope of trophy
Mauricio Pochettino might give the impression of a man who cares little for such trifling matters as the Carabao Cup but, with Tottenham last night advancing to a mouthwatering quarter-final draw against Arsenal, this might well be the competition that defines their entire season. It is certainly the best immediate chance both of what would be the only trophy of Pochettino’s career and the club’s first silverware of what has been an otherwise positive decade.
Son Heung-min was the difference here, clinically scoring twice in the absence of Harry Kane to ensure Tottenham’s progress. It was also timely and will at least partially draw a line under a forgettable past eight days that had seen Spurs draw against PSV Eindhoven to threaten their Champions League progress and then lose 1-0 in the Premier League against Manchester City amid news that Wembley will remain an unwanted home until next year.
The importance of playing their biggest rivals in a domestic cup competition should not be underestimated by Pochettino. Talk of a power shift back to Arsenal in North London has been gathering volume in recent weeks and that debate will be heavily influenced by the outcome of a game he does certainly appear to be relishing.
“I am proud of my team and very excited and so happy to be facing Arsenal,” said Pochettino. “It is a bit ironic. West Ham and Arsenal are our enemies but I love Manuel [Pellegrini] and Unai [Emery] and their coaching staff. We are very good friends. I think Unai is one of the greatest managers but, during 90 minutes, we are going to fight.”
There was particular satisfaction at this victory only 48 hours after playing against Manchester City, even if the proximity to Monday’s defeat had guaranteed significant changes to Tottenham’s starting team. Only Davinson Sanchez remained and, while Pochettino was naturally unwilling to take further risks, he was still in the fortunate position of being able to start Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli. Both had only been substitutes against City following recent injury and, with Harry Winks and Victor Wanyama forming a midfield base of presence and quality, Spurs were hardly significantly weakened.
West Ham had more of a blend between youth and experience and, having scored twice in the previous round’s 8-0 win against Macclesfield, the threat of 20-year-old winger Grady Diangana was soon obvious. He broke into space down West Ham’s right and crossed well for Javier Hernandez, who opted to square the ball back along the sixyard box when a shot would have been a better option.
Tottenham struggled initially to match West Ham’s tempo but the added quality of their attacking midfield players became evident. Angelo Ogbonna had missed two opportunities to clear and was punished when Alli, fresh from extending his contract, released Son. He had not scored for 20 Spurs games but, just as he did last season, filled the goalscoring void left by Kane to cooly wrong-foot West Ham goalkeeper Adrian.
West Ham did then take the game to Tottenham with more urgency but Michail Antonio twice wasted good chances, first having his shot deflected wide of a post and then just hesitating long enough for Juan Foyth to recover when Arthy Masuaku had dissected Tottenham’s defence.
West Ham manager Pellegrini was decisive at half-time, replacing Felipe Anderson with Robert Snodgrass and his team resumed on the front foot only for another individual defensive error to prove costly. The visitors had launched a counter-attack but Alli’s attempted through-ball was misplaced until it somehow bounced off Masuaku and into the path of Son. He was again one-on-one with Adrian and, on what was his 150th club appearance, was again clinical in this time taking the ball around the goalie.
Pochettino later admitted that he was especially pleased to see Son scoring his first goals of the season. “It is important for an offensive player to feel the net – it will give him good confidence and trust,” he said.
Tottenham had relinquished a two-goal lead against West Ham at the exact same stage of last season’s Carabao Cup and did again wobble following the introductions of Marko Arnautovic and Lucas Perez.
Arnautovic had provoked two excellent defensive challenges by Foyth and, following the second, Snodgrass’s deep cross was headed past goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga by Perez. There was some delay as referee Stuart Attwell checked with video assistant referee Kevin Friend and, while an argument could be made for pushing inside the penalty area, the goal stood.
The whole London Stadium was briefly roused but another needless defensive error really did end West Ham’s hopes. Eriksen’s cross was missed by Ogbonna to gift Fernando Llorente a rare goal.
The sight of a pitch invader who Ogbonna had tried to restrain just before the corner was taken may well have been a distraction. “Not good for football,” said Pellegrini. The wider impact of the goal was less debatable. West Ham and their fans knew that they were beaten and, despite yet another pitch invader, the London Stadium was largely emptied several minutes before Attwell did signal the end.