The London Stadium played host to a hard-fought battle between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur in Matchweek 35, ending in a 1-1 draw that left both sides reflecting on missed opportunities. With xG totals of 0.40 for West Ham and 0.79 for Spurs, the match followed a narrative of low chances but clinical moments.
Match Momentum: Spurs Early Spark, West Ham’s Push
Tottenham struck first, with W. Odobert finishing off a well-worked move in the 14th minute, a chance that carried an xG of 0.34. From there, Spurs enjoyed a slight edge in the attacking phases, as seen in the cumulative xG graph, steadily building chances but never fully pulling away. West Ham responded before the break, equalizing through J. Bowen in the 28th minute with a tight-angle finish (xG 0.07). The momentum graph showed Tottenham maintaining more consistent attacking waves but without finding the cutting edge to reclaim the lead.
Possession and Stats: Even on the Ball, Even on the Scoreboard
West Ham edged possession with 52%, while Tottenham’s 48% reflected a balanced midfield contest. The passing tempo was similar, both sides averaging 12 seconds per possession. Spurs generated slightly more quality in attack, but neither team could unlock defenses consistently enough to push for a winner.
Interestingly, West Ham attempted 30 dribbles to Spurs’ 20, suggesting more individual attempts to break lines compared to Spurs’ tighter passing network. Both sides suffered from a lack of final-third penetration, each reaching the opponent’s box fewer than 12 times.
A Tale of Limited Shots and Compact Defending
Neither side peppered the goal with efforts. Tottenham registered 8 total shots, with 2 on target. The shot maps tell the story: Spurs’ best looks came from the left side of the box, highlighted by Odobert’s opener
Expected goals data reflected the shot quality: Spurs’ 0.79 xG was largely front-loaded by Odobert’s strike, while West Ham’s 0.40 xG lacked any high-probability chances beyond Bowen’s equalizer.
West Ham had 10 shots, also landing 2 on frame. while West Ham’s key efforts were more central but largely restricted to speculative attempts outside the area.
Pass Maps: West Ham’s Width vs Tottenham’s Central Lanes
The pass maps highlighted distinct tactical approaches. Tottenham’s structure leaned heavily on Davies and Spence progressing down the left, while Kulusevski and Sarr drifted centrally to support Richarlison in buildup. The connectivity clustered around the left half-space but lacked progression into the final third.
West Ham, meanwhile, utilized both flanks through Cresswell and Emerson Palmieri, looking to Kudus and Bowen to stretch Spurs’ defense horizontally. Lucas Paquetá acted as the central fulcrum, linking midfield with the front line, but Tottenham’s defensive block limited the success of these wide deliveries.
Final Thoughts
A derby that promised fireworks instead delivered a cagey tactical battle, defined by early goals and midfield skirmishes rather than a flurry of chances. Both West Ham and Tottenham will rue their inability to carve open defenses late on, settling for a point apiece that keeps European qualification hopes finely balanced heading into the final weeks.