Tottenham’s top-four hopes suffered a blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham at the London Stadium.
Much has been made of Spurs’ slow starts in recent weeks, but they were in front inside five minutes here, as Timo Werner played the ball across the face of goal and Brennan Johnson, promoted into the starting lineup, provided the finishing touch.
West Ham responded well though and they looked a real threat from a succession of set-pieces, with that unsurprisingly their route back into the match.
Jarrod Bowen whipped in a superb delivery from the corner, and captain Kurt Zouma rose highest, turning the ball into the far corner off his back to get West Ham on terms 15 minutes after they had fallen behind.
After the sides went in level at the break, it was the Hammers who started the better after half-time. Michail Antonio forced Guglielmo Vicario into action and the striker then wasted a huge chance to put the home side in front, sending a tame effort straight at the goalkeeper when clean through on goal.
Spurs increasingly took control in the final 20 minutes but could not create a clear-cut chance, as they were forced to settle for a draw that leaves them two points behind Aston Villa, who travel to Manchester City on Wednesday night.
