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“With 95% pass accuracy, 2 tackles, and 28 touches,”—though he had fewer touches than Maddison, the 7/10 Spurs player emerged as Ange’s unsung hero.
Tottenham Hotspur made a strong return to Premier League action after a challenging match on the south coast, decisively beating West Ham United 4-1 on Saturday.
A dominant second half saw the Hammers leave N17 defeated, with the victory lifting Ange Postecoglou’s team to sixth place in the league. While the season has had its ups and downs, Spurs fans have found comfort in the exciting style of play. Now, however, it’s time for results to align with their attractive approach.
Postecoglou’s intense brand of football is impressive when executed well, and optimism is growing among supporters. Although many players stood out, James Maddison may feel disappointed with his own performance.
### James Maddison’s Performance vs. West Ham
Maddison provided an assist for Dejan Kulusevski’s first-half goal, but it was Kulusevski who did most of the work, curling in a shot to give Spurs a critical lead. Despite this, Maddison, who is eager to reclaim his spot on the England team, struggled to make a significant impact and was substituted at halftime as Postecoglou sought to regain control of the match.
Some may argue that Maddison’s substitution was unwarranted, especially given his attacking contributions in the first half. However, after he left the pitch, Tottenham asserted more authority, scoring three goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
His replacement, young Pape Matar Sarr, didn’t score but made a notable impact, earning praise for his composed display. Sarr has started only twice in the Premier League this season, with most of his appearances coming off the bench. He assisted Heung-min Son’s goal, adding to his tally of contributions this season.
### Pape Matar Sarr’s Impact
While Sarr had fewer touches than Maddison—28 to Maddison’s 50—he brought stability to midfield, allowing Spurs’ attacking players to exploit West Ham’s defense. Both players registered assists, but Sarr won four out of six duels, compared to Maddison’s three losses out of five.
Football.london reporter Alasdair Gold rated Sarr a 7/10, highlighting his crucial role in the fourth goal and his overall performance after coming on at halftime.
The depth in Postecoglou’s squad bodes well for Tottenham’s ambitions this season, as they aim for a top-four finish and seek to end their long trophy drought in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Europa League.
Sarr exemplifies this depth, demonstrating his ability to make a difference even without a regular starting position. According to FBref, the 22-year-old ranks in the top 9% of central midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for goals per 90 minutes and is notably compared to Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
Maddison may feel aggrieved by his substitution, particularly as Spurs were controlling the game, but Postecoglou’s tactical adjustments proved effective. Kulusevski’s new role has injected fresh energy into the team’s play, making Maddison’s exit at halftime even more intriguing.
Now, Sarr will aim to earn more starts and contribute to Postecoglou’s project. While Tottenham has faced challenges this season, the emergence of promising players like Sarr offers exciting prospects for the future.
