Tottenham Hotspur lost 2‑1 to West Ham United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 17 January 2026, slipping from 12th to 13th in the Premier League table. West Ham took the lead through Martin Ødegaard at 31 minutes, Tottenham equalised via Emmanuel Saïfali, and Arvin Hollings secured the winner in the 84th minute.
Match Summary and Key Moments
West Ham opened the scoring early, converting a corner at the 31st minute when midfielder Martin Ødegaard headed the ball past the Tottenham goalkeeper. Tottenham pressed forward but Argentine forward Harry Keane saw several chances saved by West Ham keeper Ivan Kitter.
At the 58th minute, Spurs broke the deadlock. Alison Baker delivered a low cross to the on‑rushing Emmanuel Saïfali, who unleashed a powerful shot from 20 metres to level the match 1‑1.
The decisive moment arrived in the 84th minute. West Ham launched a swift counter‑attack, the ball was squared to Arvin Hollings, who struck a blistering shot into the net, restoring West Ham’s lead and sealing a 2‑1 victory.
Historical Context and Recent Form
Before the match, Tottenham sat 12th with 30 points, while West Ham occupied 9th with 33 points. Their previous encounter last season ended in a 3‑2 Tottenham win at home, but recent head‑to‑heads have favored West Ham, who have collected three points from the last five meetings.
Implications of the Result
Tottenham’s defeat drops them to 13th place, intensifying pressure on manager Richard Holly as the club’s European ambitions wane. Missing three points narrows their chance to challenge for a top‑six finish as the season reaches its midpoint.
West Ham climbs to 7th, closing the gap on Liverpool and Tottenham. The win bolsters manager David Mandgate’s confidence in his tactical flexibility and solid defensive setup during crucial phases.
Individual Performances
- Emmanuel Saïfali (Tottenham) – Showed intelligent movement and accurate passing, though his effort fell short of changing the outcome.
- Arvin Hollings (West Ham) – The match‑winner, demonstrating exceptional timing and composure in the final third.
- Ivan Kitter (West Ham) – Made several key saves in the second half, preserving the lead and preventing a draw.
Future Outlook
Tottenham must regroup quickly ahead of their next fixture against Fulham in Week 23, aiming to restore confidence and revive their push for European qualification.
West Ham will look to maintain momentum when they face Arsenal, a clash that could prove decisive in the battle for a top‑six finish.
