Tottenham produced a solid performance in their home match against West Ham on Sunday, securing three points from the London derby thanks to a 3-1 win. The victory has left Spurs fifth in the league as they enter the final international break of the season.
Antonio Conte was happy with his side's performance, but did also explain what they could've done better. "We played a really good game and as a coach I enjoyed to watch my team play this football today," he explained in his post match press conference.
"I think if I have to find a situation we can improve, it is to try to kill the game early also because otherwise a corner, a set piece, West Ham could draw a game that I think we dominated today." The win helped the Lilywhites continue their ongoing battle for a Champions League spot for next season, as they are now just three points behind fourth placed Arsenal, although their north London rivals do have a game in hand.
READ MORE: Every word Antonio Conte said on Son's best quality, Kane, 'brilliant' Dane Scarlett and Arsenal
Conte will now have to work with the players who have stayed in north London during the international break and prepare them for Spurs' final nine games of the season, when Premier League action resumes. After the crucial victory on Sunday, football.london took a look at what Antonio Conte did during the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Referee anger
There are always controversial refereeing decisions during games and the use of VAR has caused much debate amongst teams in recent times. Against West Ham, there were a number of moments where Conte seemed to believe a player of his had been fouled, but they weren't given.
The first instance was when Michail Antonio brought Eric Dier down inside Hugo Lloris' box, but no foul was given. The Italian put his hands out high and shouted, highlighting exactly what he thought about the incident. The next was when Craig Dawson brought Son Heung-min down as he was trying to push Tottenham forward after receiving the ball just inside his defensive half. Conte immediately began shouting and moved down the line towards the incident.
The Spurs boss seemed to be signalling as if he believed the foul deserved a booking, which did become the result and Dawson was shown West Ham's only yellow card of the game. Conte then seemed to have a slight VAR worry after Son's first goal, as he seemed to almost check with his players on the pitch that the goal would stand, making a gesture and with a slightly concerned expression. However, someone must've confirmed that the goal was fine as he then put his thumbs up and gave Dier a strong high five as he came to drink some water on the side of the pitch.
On a couple of other occasions during the match, Conte made his feelings known when he felt fouls for his side were not decided fairly, continuing to show the passion he always does on the sidelines.
Goal celebrations
The Italian's passion is always also shown with his celebrations for Tottenham's goals and Sunday was no different. However, after the home side's first goal, which ended up being a Kurt Zouma own goal, Conte remained expressionless on the side of the pitch. The goal was scored inside the opening ten minutes of the game and the Italian may have felt it was too early to celebrate, with more than 80 minutes still to play. Instead, he just walked towards the dugout, but did clap his players as the game restarted.
The second goal was when Conte's celebratory side came out. He went to celebrate with his coaching staff, giving Cristian Stellini a hug before going to Pierluigi Gollini and grabbing his outstretched hand. This was then continued after the third goal, which granted an even bigger celebration from the Tottenham boss. He again embraced his coaching staff before going over to Dane Scarlett and giving him a handshake, one of a number of players the Italian praised after the game.
Moment with Son
It was in the 92nd minute when Son, who scored a brace in the London derby, was replaced by Lucas Moura for the closing moments of the game. After a slight dip in form, the South Korean seemed back to his best and produced the two goals and a solid performance.
When the substitution was made, there was a great moment between the player and his manager. Both had big smiles on their faces and had a celebratory hug on the side-line. Conte then patted Son on the back before the 29-year-old walked over to the dugout, both still with big smiles on their faces. This reiterates the positive relationship the duo have, which can only help when working together off the pitch.
Son has been full of praise for Conte and the 52-year-old also praised the South Korean when speaking to the media after the game. "It is always very difficult when you have an important player and you know very well that during a season there are different periods and sometimes you have a lot of confidence and everything you try to do on the pitch you are able to do and sometimes the confidence can go down but the important player, the top player is good to manage this moment and Sonny you’re talking about a really, really, player who is really, really good, an important player but at the same time a good person," Conte explained.
The Italian will now be without the majority of his squad during the international break, but he will have to work hard with those he can so that when Tottenham come to play their final nine games of the season, they can finish the campaign in the strongest possible position.
