Opinion from the stands

Collins: West Ham ‘thoroughly deserved’ win at Spurs

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Image for Collins: West Ham ‘thoroughly deserved’ win at Spurs

James Collins has praised his old side West Ham after they picked up a precious 1-0 victory over Spurs on Saturday.

West Ham secured the win after Michail Antonio scored a vicious volley midway through the second half.

The ex-Hammers defender speaking on Sky Sports, expressed his old team deserved the three points: “Second half West Ham were far the better team, and in the end probably could have got one or two more on the break in the second half.

“(Thoroughly deserved?) First half maybe not. Arnautovic came into the game a bit more and sort of made things happen. On the second half performance it was thoroughly deserved.”

The Welsh defender spent two spells at West Ham and was released at the beginning of the season.

OPINION

On the balance of the game, you have to agree with Collins. West Ham had a clear game plan and despite a slow start, they really started to get a grip of the game come the second half. Games away at the top four clubs come with an expectance, and that is that they will create some opportunities after opening up defences. West Ham coped with the pressure well and Lukas Fabianski and his back four were resolute throughout the first half especially. Combine this with the pace and skill the Hammers forward players possess and they have enough to beat any team, as Spurs found out today. Manuel Pellegrini played the game perfectly and took advantage of some tired Tottenham legs who looked like they had one eye on the Champions League already. Having said this, you still need to take advantage of it and one moment of class from Marko Arnautovic unlocked the Spurs back four and Michail Antonio smashed home to earn a deserved three points.

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