Obiang & Son trade sublime goal as West Ham hold Spurs

BBC
BBC
Son's shot rescued a point for Spurs

Son Heung-min and Pedro Obiang scored two stunning long-range strikes as Tottenham drew with West Ham.

Obiang’s 35-yard drive into the top corner was the first shot for David Moyes’ Hammers at Wembley, with Spurs having had 20 by that stage.

The hosts dominated the game – both sides’ second Premier League match in 48 hours – but were denied by a series of last-ditch blocks and saves.

But Son broke West Ham’s resistance with a 30-yard strike beyond Adrian.

West Ham were without the injured Andy Carroll – who was on the bench – and Marko Arnautovic, so Moyes set his side up not to lose, a target they accomplished and very nearly bettered.

Ogbonna was man of the match
Ogbonna was man of the match

By the 70th minute they still had not had a touch in Spurs’ penalty area, but then suddenly and entirely against the run of play they found themselves in front thanks to a goal-of-the-season contender.

Manuel Lanzini gave the ball to Obiang, who came in from the left channel and unleashed a thunderous effort past the helpless Hugo Lloris to register only his third goal for the club.

After Spurs levelled through Son’s equally sublime strike, West Ham’s defensive resolve was summed up in injury time when Victor Wanyama, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Son all had shots blocked in the space of 30 seconds.

Son said after the game that he thought “Obiang’s goal was better”.

“The strike was unbelievable,” he added. “We have the best goalkeeper in the world and he can’t do anything. It was a great strike.”

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will be disappointed with his side’s failure to unlock the Hammers’ defence and they now sit three points off fourth-placed Liverpool.

They had 31 shots – eight on target, 14 blocked – with their only successful effort bypassing West Ham’s resolute back five, which at times felt like a back 10.

Erik Lamela fed in-form Son to score a goal not too dissimilar to Obiang’s, the South Korean hitting a lovely effort that swerved and faded away from Adrian’s grasp.

Harry Kane, fit to start after only being a substitute as they beat Swansea 2-0 on Tuesday, had a disappointing night in front of goal. He had seven shots, three on target, although he could have had a penalty when Pablo Zabaleta appeared to pull his arm in the area.

This season has seen plenty of defensive performances and one-sided games in the Premier League, and Pochettino’s side will need to do better next time they face such a tactic.

Share This Article