Tottenham player ratings gallery against West Ham with four 6/10 and one 7/10

Going into the game, Spurs desperately needed a win, coming off the back of defeats to Leicester and AC Milan.

The three points put them ahead of Newcastle, although Manchester United’s earlier win means competition will be tight for the final Champions League spot.

Cristian Stillini is still standing in for manager Antonio Conte, following his gallbladder removal operation. The team selection featured a start for Richarlison, with Heung-Min Son dropped to the bench, and Oliver Skipp paired with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in midfield.

Although occasional gaps appeared at the back, Spurs enjoyed some sustained pressure in the first half, though chances were few.

Both goals came in the second half rewarding the home team’s dominance.

20 - Fraser Forster (5)

In captain Loris’s absence, Forster has big boots to fill, but then he has big boots. He looked composed in a comfortable game.

4 - Oliver Skipp (6)

Having started midweek against AC Milan, Skipp took another step on his long road back from injury, having played little football in 2022. . He is hard working and receives the ball well, and has a good understanding of where Kane will be, dropping into the hole.

5 - Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (5)

The Dane returned after suspension for the Milan game and proved to be a calming influence, helping control the midfield.

9 - Richarlison (4)

It was a big day for the Brazilian, finally getting a start, with the (seemingly) out-of-form Heung-Min Son dropped to the bench.

At the end of the first half he got a shot on target after being pushed wide in the box, but couldn’t get past the keeper.

A genuine chance came within minutes of the restart when Kulusevski laid it off, but the effort was tame.

He looked dejected, walking off for Son to come on after 67 minutes.

10 - Harry Kane (c) (7)

The captain orchestrated the attacks, often playing as a number 10, with Richarlison and Kulusevski pushing ahead into the box, and even the wing-backs further forward.

A shooting chance did not come until early in the second half but he pulled the volley wide.

He played Son through perfectly for the second goal after using his strength to hold of Ogbonna.

12 - Emerson Royal - (6)

It’s fair to say that Emerson Royal has not always been popular with the fans. Footage from the camp shows he is popular with his teammates, however, and when he calmly dispatched his goal, their joy was plain to see (mixed with relief).

15 - Eric Dier (5)

A solid performance from Dier, although West Ham only occasionally threatened the defence.

17 - Cristian Romero (5)

After a series of cards, the Argentinian bruiser’s first collision here was head to head with Brazilian teammate Richarlison. Thankfully he peeled himself off the turf. After 15 minutes he slid in and got away with it, only for Hojbjerg to be penalised for similar.

In the second half he recovered well to push Jared Bowen wide when he was played through on goal.

21 - Dejan Kulusevski (5)

His moment nearly came after the 50-minute mark when Richarlison spread the ball wide on the break. Kulusevski cut inside but his ball was somewhere between a shot and a cross for Kane. From an identical position he shot straight at the keeper 10 minutes later.

33 - Ben Davies (6)

The experienced Welshman enjoyed a rare chance at wing-back. He always pushes forward when playing in the three, but here he had the chance to get into the box more.

He’s not a striker though, and perhaps a natural attacker would have reacted quick enough to divert a chance after 32 minutes into the net. Instead it rebounded wide off him.

His endeavour paid off when he broke through and laid off for his counterpart on the right, Emerson Royal, to score.

34 - Clement Lenglet (5)

As with Dier, while you could not call the defence convincing, the Hammers offered relatively little threat.

7- Heung-Min Son (6)

Given 25 minutes off the bench, he found the net, as he did three times against Leicester. Is his pace best used late against tired legs this season?

14 - Ivan Perisic

He came on late for Lenglet, taking the left wing-back position, with Davies dropping into the three. He only really had the opportunity to mistime a challenge and go right into Bowen’s leg. And then do the same to Coufal.

29 - Pape Mater Sarr

After a starring role midweek, the young midfielder got just a few minutes to stretch his legs. He only had time to put a stooping header out for a goal kick.

27 - Lucas Moura

A very rare couple of minutes on the pitch for the Brazilian who many thought may never play for the team again.