Mohammed Kudus madness piles pressure on Julen Lopetegui after Tottenham thrashing

A big win over Ipswich Town saw Julen Lopetegui safely through the international break just passed, but the next one is already looming large for the West Ham United manager.
Lopetegui will be without one of his best players, Mohammed Kudus, between now and the next international window, and could find himself sweating over his future by the time the Premier League stops again.
Kudus was sent off for a late moment of madness in which he floored Micky van de Ven and Richarlison, and shoved Pape Sarr in the face, in scenes more akin to WWE wrestling than a London derby.
That red card for violent conduct will earn Kudus a minimum three-game ban and those matches, against Manchester United, Nottingham Forest and Everton before the break, suddenly look pretty important for Lopetegui.
“We are going to talk,” said Lopetegui. “Not today. It’s not the day to talk but he [Kudus] will be aware he can improve his actions in these moments because it is not good for him or the team.”
It goes from bad to worse for West Ham as Mohammed Kudus is sent off 🟥📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Z8TLFQJVAG
Kudus had put West Ham ahead in the first half, but Dejan Kulusevski equalised before half-time and the visitors collapsed after the interval, conceding three goals in eight minutes.
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady may have stayed until the bitter end, but most of the visiting fans had given up on Lopetegui and his team long before the final whistle.
Asked if he had a message for worried supporters, Lopetegui said: “No message, but we are sure we are going to have better moments. The Premier League is very long for all the teams. 
“We knew it was a hard start, but we are able to improve and win matches, I am sure. The end of the season is the moment to see where we are. At the moment, we are very frustrated, so sorry for the results but we will work very hard for the next challenge.”
Technical director Tim Steidten was not shy in claiming responsibility for West Ham’s big summer spend, but some of those signings are a long way from proving their worth.
Defender Jean-Clair Todibo suffered a miserable game, contributing to an own-goal, credited to goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, and being turned inside out by Son Heung-min before the Tottenham captain scored a comeback goal.
Guido Rodriguez was dragged off with just under 20 minutes remaining as Lopetegui moved to a back three, and where is striker Niclas Fullkrug, who is injured and still yet to score for the club?
Whereas Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou made a change at half-time, sending on Sarr in place of James Maddison, to give his midfield more energy and physicality, Lopetegui was slow to react – only making changes after his team had conceded three goals in a crazy second-half spell.
“We needed more running power in midfield and Pape [Sarr] has lots of that, bags of energy and running,” said Postecoglou. “He really helped us to get control of the midfield and that gave us a good platform to go forward. Our general play improved from there and we looked dangerous going forward.”
For all the excitement of the Postecoglou era, Spurs had been without a win against Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham with the Australian in charge before today.
It looked like it could be another difficult derby day for Tottenham and Postecoglou when Kudus put West Ham ahead after Jarrod Bowen had beaten Destiny Udogie. But Kulusevski levelled for the hosts before Spurs ran riot after the restart.
Yves Bissouma shot through the legs of Max Kilman in the 52nd minute before Todibo helped to deflect the ball off Areola into his own net and the returning Son netted on the hour mark.
Kudus thought he had got away with a yellow card for his WWE-style one-man assault on Van de Ven and Sarr, with Richarlison also grounded after running into him. But VAR sent referee Andrew Madley to the monitor and his booking was immediately cancelled in favour of a red card.
Postecoglou has previously claimed that derby games are no more important than regular matches. But, following his first win against a big London rival, the Australian acknowledged the importance of it to the Spurs supporters.
“It’s important for our fans, for sure, because these are the games they want to feel good about and win,” said Postecoglou. “Personally, any game we win I get equal joy out of, as I’ve always said. But part of the momentum we built in that second half came from the energy the supporters gave us, especially after we got the second goal. 
“You could really feel the atmosphere in the stadium lift and that pushed us along. We need the support, especially at home, but for them to provide that we’ve got to give them something in return. So today’s hopefully a little bit of a reward for our fans.”
To be back on the pitch is a joy, playing with my team-mates in a beautiful stadium is one of my favourite things – especially when you get the result.
When we conceded the first goal he [Postecoglou] wasn’t very happy. He talked about protecting our goal like a home. But generally altogether with the performance I am very happy.
When I get the ball I try and find the best solution. In a one-on-one situation I’m very on it and most like to be in this situation.
[The support is] incredible, I have been missing this support for three weeks and I didn’t go to the national team. Playing in front of these fans is a huge honour and I want to give them something back.
I thought we were good today. Had to work pretty hard in the first half but we got back into it. Second half was outstanding from the lads, great energy, some good football and probably should have had a couple more.
It was tactical [subbing Maddison at half time]. Just felt we needed some more running power in the midfield area.
I thought the crowd played their part. We’ve had periods like that this season where we haven’t capitalised, but today we did. If we can play like that, we’ll be hard to stop.
Son is a quality player and when we have him out there we are a better team.
8 – Most Premier League home wins after conceding first since the start of last season:8 – Tottenham4 – Aston Villa, Man City, Man Utd3 – Arsenal, Brighton, LiverpoolGap. pic.twitter.com/9JQEekE4FA
First half was tough honestly, because you cannot always be at your best physically. They were good and we have to defend much better when
When I scored 1-1 I knew we were going to win. When we play well, we are unbelievable. 
I think the balance was off, we were a little bit too offensive. Pape changed the game for us.
After some chastening London derbies in the recent past, that was much more like it for Spurs and Postecoglou. It lifts the mood after the second-half collapse at Brighton, and this time it was West Ham who caved in. They lost all structure in eight second-half minutes when they conceded three goals, and then Mohammed Kudus lost his head and got sent off. Problems for Lopetegui. West Ham cannot seem to find a balance between feeding their attacking talent and defensive solidity. Spurs back in touch with the Champions League places.
West Ham have at least limited the damage in the closing stages, things looked messy when Son hit the post moments after scoring the fourth with half hour or so on the clock. Spurs can see the finish line now.
Alan Sugar shakes his head in the crowd after Timo Werner lets the ball run under his foot and out for a throw. If there’s a Spurs player who needs a goal, it is him.
What a terrible 45 minutes for West Ham, and their fans have headed for the exits and the long walk back to Seven Sisters tube station. There will be seven minutes of stoppage time to play. Ample time for Spurs to add another goal or two.
Kudus has been sent off for pushing Sarr in the face. He also did the same to Van de Ven but I think it is the offence against Sarr that has done for him. The initial yellow card is chalked off, and Kudus is shown a straight red. This game has gone but West Ham will now miss one of their best players for the next three games.
It goes from bad to worse for West Ham as Mohammed Kudus is sent off 🟥📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Z8TLFQJVAG
This game was drifting towards its conclusion but a fracas between Kudus and Van de Ven has kicked things off! All 22 players involved. The two players had a good scrap for the ball, with the Spurs defender coming out on top. Kudus had a couple of kicks at him on the floor, and then pushed an open hand into Van de Ven’s face. Richarlison then runs into Kudus’ shoulder and goes down holding his face.
The referee books both players, but VAR is checking whether Kudus should be sent off. He raised his hand, he can have no complaints.
Spurs making another sub: Richarlison returns, replacing Solanke. Fairly quiet game from the Spurs centre-forward, but Son and Kulusevski did the business. Bentancur is also on for Bissouma, who started the flurry of Spurs goals at the start of the second half.
Spurs doing something they are urged to do more often: slowing the game down and just controlling the contest, keeping the ball away from West Ham without flying forward. Kilman fouls Solanke.
Werner goes close to adding Spurs’ fifth with a header at the back post. Areola pushed it away from danger. Neat hold-up play from Bowen but the move then slows down with Kudus.
Kudus continues to be a thorn in Tottenham’s side, first beating Van de Ven to a loose ball and then testing Vicario with a whipped shot from 25 yards. West Ham then win a corner after Romero defends against Summerville.
Spurs just need to stay professional and ensure this game does not become too see-saw, but I’m not sure that is their style. Postecoglou is making another change: Werner on for Son, who has only just returned from injury.
Michail Antonio spoke before the game about West Ham trying to play a more expansive game, but when they started chasing this game at 2-1 Spurs could counter on them at will. The home team have had another couple of attempts: Kulusevski curling a shot wide and then Johnson drawing a fine save from Areola.
This game has gone haywire. Seconds after kick-off, the ball ran for Son at the edge of the box and he hit the foot of the post with a first-time effort! Almost five for Spurs. Then West Ham attack and Kudus sees a shot blocked on the line by Udogie. West Ham appeal for a handball, penalty and red card but Udogie’s arm was tucked in close to his body.
West Ham have finally made the triple change they were preparing a 2-1 down. Instead now it is 4-1.
West Ham have fallen apart here. Just like Kulusevski’s goal, they are punished for turning the ball over with numbers pushed up the pitch. Sarr releases Son into space down the left with Wan-Bissaka pushed on and out of the picture. Son went on the outside with his left foot and his shot had enough power to squeeze beyond Areola.
Heung-min Son makes it 4⃣ and Spurs are running away with it 🤍📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/wMKOWRcX5J
West Ham are going ahead with that triple change, but they now find themselves 3-1 down. For the time being they have a corner, but Spurs defend.
Another sweeping Spurs move, with Son playing another pass with the outside of his foot. Son continues his run and is fed by Kulusevski, and Son’s shot bounced back off the unfortunate Todibo into his own net after Areola made the save. Postecoglou’s bold half-time alteration has paid dividends.
A mix up at the back for West Ham and Tottenham have a two-goal cushion in the blink of an eye 💥📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/pelvQupiFO
West Ham are preparing a triple change: Alvarez, Soler and Summerville getting ready to come on.
That was a very well-worked goal, created by Son slipping in Udogie on the underlap with an outside of the foot pass. Udogie picked out Bissouma with a cut-back and the midfielder passed the ball between West Ham legs and beyond Areola. From one down, Spurs are now 2-1 up.
Bowen with an overhit pass intended for Soucek, when West Ham had the ball in a promising position. The visitors then thought they had pinched the ball of Spurs 25 yards from goal but a foul is given against them. Spurs then go up the other end, and Udogie sees a shot deflected behind for a corner. Son taking them from the left now with Maddison off, but West Ham defend another set-piece well.
It will be interesting to hear Postecoglou post-match on that half-time change. As ever, the decision will be coloured by the result. A slightly sleepy start to the half compared to the tempo of the first. West Ham send a free-kick into the mixer but Spurs deal with it.
West Ham get the half started. TNT Sports are saying that the Maddison substitution is purely tactical, which is certainly an interesting one.
Sarr is on for Maddison, which we can only assume is an injury problem given Spurs are going to be camped in West Ham’s half for most of this half. Postecoglou has not been shy about hooking Maddison though, so it could be tactical.
An entertaining first half finishes with the scores level. Tottenham have had the vast majority of the ball and chances, but, unsurprisingly, they are vulnerable at the back. Mohammed Kudus, who opened the scoring for West Ham, was a threat for the entire first 45 minutes, drifting in from the left and beating players. Similarly, Dejan Kulusevski is giving the visiting team a hard time and it was the Swede who equalised. There was one amusing moment when Michail Antonio looked like he was going to try to out-run Micky van de Ven, but put the brakes on when he saw who he was up against. Van de Ven then casually barged him off the ball before taking it away. Watch for Antonio to try to get some sort of revenge in the second half.
An absorbing first 45 minutes. Spurs have been charge for long stretches and started to look more dangerous as the half progressed, but West Ham have carried a threat. Kulusevski and Kudus deserved their goals, they have been their teams’ best performers.
Wan-Bissaka defends up against Udogie. With the last act of the first half, Areola makes a smart save to deny Son from a tigh angle. No Spurs player was there in the six-yard box to convert the rebound.
Paqueta booked for pulling back Brennan Johnson and stopping a Spurs counter-attack. Porro delivers a threatening cross from the right that bounces across the box. 
Then the Spurs right-back goes close with a Di Canio style kung fu volley that whistles over the bar. Cracking effort.
Delightful piece of skill from Antonio to beat Van de Ven, but he then made the mistake of trying to take the Spurs centre-back for a run and he was never going to win the race. Van de Ven shoulders Antonio off the pitch which gets a cheer from the home crowd.
Spurs trying to move in for the kill, and it is a vital clearance from Wan-Bissaka at the back post with Son lurking behind him. It was Johnson who got in behind West Ham and delivered the low cross.
West Ham punished for losing the ball in Tottenham’s half when they were exposed. There was space for Spurs to break into, and Kulusevski cut inside from the right to shoot. His effort struck the near post, then hit the other post, before spinning back over the line with Areola beaten.
Dejan Kulusevski squeezes one in and it’s 1-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 💥📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/XktML0fRPD
This is a familiar sight for Spurs fans: their team seeing all of the ball and enjoying all of the territory at home, but making hard work of breaking down a deep defence.
It might take a shot from distance, and Areola produces a superb save after Porro’s effort from range was deflected. The West Ham goalkeeper had started to dive right and had to change direction.
Spurs have yet another corner, their 11th of the game. They are not really threatening though, and then Kudus holds off Maddison to win a foul and relieve the pressure.
A few groans from the Spurs fans. Johnson had the chance to slip Kulusevski in on the overlap but misplaced a simple pass. Kudus proving to be a fantastic outlet for West Ham, Spurs struggling to get near him. Maddison now down after a hand in the face.
Enterprising play from Kudus again, this time drifting inside from the right. That creates the space for Wan-Bissaka to arrive and his cross deflects behind for a corner. Antonio is making a nuisance of himself in front of Vicario. Just like Maddison at the other end, Bowen’s deliver is too deep.
Spurs fans might be having flashbacks to the Arsenal game, very similar approach and problem to solve. 
Big chance misses from Johnson! He looked certain to bury a header from six yards out or so, but failed to make clean contact and the ball deflected behind for a corner off Paqueta. Spurs then sustain the pressure and win their ninth corner of the game. Solanke tries a scissor kick but miscues.
Better shape about West Ham out of possession, certainly compared with their efforts against Chelsea last month. Kulusevski looks the most likely to make something happen for Spurs, a shot deflects behind for a corner. Son tries to shift and shoot in the box again, but Kilman makes a solid block. Another Spurs corner. Far too much air on it again from Maddison. Surely they have to think about letting Son or Porro take one.
Spurs searching for an immediate response, and Emerson produces an excellent defensive header under pressure at the back post after Maddison’s teasing cross. Then Paqueta recovers well defensively after Maddison got away from him. Then West Ham produce some neat two-touch play to move up the pitch. Udogie is struggling up against Bowen.
Well the pattern of the game is set now: West Ham will sit in and try to hit Spurs on the counter-attack. Spurs had started the game quite well in general play, but have conceded the game’s two best chances. Which rather sums them up just now.
Spurs did not heed the warning: Bowen creates almost an exact replica of the earlier chance for Kudus, only this time he finishes. West Ham did well to keep the ball alive, it was a little too easy for Bowen to hold off Udogie and Porro was distracted by the run of Soucek. Kudus was free as a bird at the back post, and he bounced the ball into the turf and into the roof of the net.
Mohammed Kudus opens the scoring and West Ham lead in north London ⚒️📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/gBiKsCAZ5u
Rodrgiuez with a well-timed challenge for West Ham, at the expense of a Spurs corner. Van de Ven stepped in to intercept and start the attack. Maddison’s delivery is poor once again and Areola claims with ease.
Son curls a shot not far wide of the far post after selling Wan-Bissaka a dummy. That’s the closest Spurs have come, would have been a classic Son finish with his right foot. West Ham defending deep and in numbers but they could not prevent Son from finding a yard. Then Antonio wins West Ham a free-kick.
West Ham are buoyed after that chance, with Bowen very nearly barrelling his way into the penalty area with a foray off the right flank. Kulusevski with another nice piece of skill in a tight space to win a free-kick in midfield. Famous last words, but there are surely going to be goals in this.
Spurs with another corner, delivered to the back post by Maddison from the left but West Ham defend. A little loopy and lacking in pace from Maddison. Paqueta then leads West Ham forward on the break, but Spurs sprint back in numbers. 
But the first big chance of the game goes to West Ham! Bowen pulled a low cross behind the retreating Spurs back four, and Kudus had plenty of time to line the shot up. Connected well, but a little too close to Vicario who made an impressive stop. A warning for Spurs.
Tottenham stewards came prepared for the protests from West Ham fans, who let off black balloons during games to highlight their Save Our Concessions campaign. The stewards by the away supporters were armed with broomsticks with nails on the end to pop balloons as fast as possible. The Spurs and West Ham fans put on a rare show of solidarity before the game to campaign against their clubs’ ticket price policies.
Postecoglou said his team were too passive in the second half at Brighton, but there has been a pleasing intensity to Spurs so far. The man in form Brennan Johnson then sends a spectacular volley whistling wide of the far post from a tight angle. It was further wide of the post than it first appeared. Then Areola throws Solanke a dummy outside his penalty area, which will have made West Ham fans’ nervy. 
Lovely from Kulusevski to receive the ball on the turn in midfield and slip through a couple of West Ham challenges. The away team are struggling to get their foot on the ball currently, Spurs are smothering them and have them well penned in. West Ham might have to start trying to hit Antonio early.
Within seconds of the game starting, Lucas Paqueta landed awkwardly on his shoulder after going up for a header. He is now back on his feet, if a little gingerly. Spurs on the front foot out of possession, pressing Wan Bissaka and Soucek. Areola sweeps up and clears after a promising through ball in the direction of Solanke. Then Spurs win a corner after a Porro cross is turned behind. They try a short one but Bowen defends well against Kulusevski.
Spurs get the game started. Barely an empty seat in sight at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
There have been some grumbles among the Spurs home crowd lately, but there is nothing like a derby to concentrate minds. No fan likes airing dirty laundry in front of despised rivals. There is a lot of attacking talent on the pitch.
Each match is different. The past is the past and today is going to be very demanding because we are playing against a very big team away from home.
West Ham are looking to win away at Spurs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1966, when they also won the World Cup of course. Spurs have also lost four of their last six London derbies.
The proof will be in the pudding. It is important that we reflect on that game in the way we should. It is not like it’s out of our reach if we replicate what we did in the first half [against Brighton].
It is a great motivator as we know what a win will do four our fans. We need them behind us and we can get their energy going if we get a positive result today.
Brennan Johnson has been in fantastic goalscoring form and Dejan Kulusevsi might just be Tottenham’s best player, so the solution for getting both of them into the team is moving Kulusevski inside. It means Spurs have five true attackers in their team, but they rely on pressing and counter-pressing aggressively to win the ball high up. Break through that, and West Ham will find space.
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Mate, if I accepted that what am I doing here? Seriously. If I accept that this is somehow impossible to change I am really stealing a living.
I don’t believe that and I never have. And if I fail, the failure is on me. It’s nothing to do with the club. It’s on me because I know that coming into it that the club hasn’t won anything for X amount of time.
It’s not a secret. It was not like getting in here and going, ‘Jesus Christ, this club hasn’t won anything for 14 years – can you believe it?’ I accepted that challenge so I can’t sit here complaining that it’s harder.
It’s why I’m here and it’s up to me to change that. And if I don’t then the failure’s on me.
These matches are the past for us
Now the present is the more important thing and to be ready for the next challenge.
We were happy to have the victory, but now we are focused 100 per cent on the next challenge, which will be a very hard challenge against in my opinion one of the best teams in the Premier League.
East London’s XI ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/GmNbdOAkLn
COYS! 👊 pic.twitter.com/u8poufLTTZ
Ange Postecoglou and Totttenham had a fortnight to stew on their second-half capitulation at Brighton but are firm favourites to get back to winning ways against West Ham United this lunchtime.
After taking just four points from their first four Premier League games of the season, including a north London derby defeat against Arsenal, Spurs were enjoying a mini-revival until their optimism was punctured at Brighton. 
In their last game against Champions League contenders, West Ham were cut to ribbons by Chelsea but a 4-1 victory over Ipswich before the international break lifted some of the pressure on Julen Lopetegui. West Ham won at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last season and often save their best for this fixture. 
West Ham are without summer signing Niclas Fullkrug because of injury, but Spurs are hopeful that Son Heung-min and Richarlison will be available. Spurs’ underlying attacking metrics and general level of dominance in matches has been impressive, but there remains a sense they suffer from a glass chin. 
Speaking about the collapse at Brighton, Postecoglou said: “I mean you can’t just dismiss what happened in the first half and just focus on the second half. It would be different if it was a really poor performance all round.
“Then, it’s not easier, but the analysis can be straightforward. The question is, ‘why were we so good in the first half and so poor in the second?’.
“The second half was more around we just didn’t look anything like ourselves. We were really passive with and without the ball. We lacked real conviction and courage in everything we did. It was almost like we felt like we had done enough.
“I hadn’t seen that before in us and it is a good lesson for the whole group that you need to make sure, irrespective of how a game is going, you stick to the core principles of your football.”
Team news on the way shortly.