Football
Ben Pearce, Tottenham correspondent 5y

Tottenham rely on Hugo Lloris' 9/10 and Moussa Sissoko's 8/10 in West Ham win

Tottenham capitalised on the draw between Chelsea and Manchester United as they triumphed 1-0 away against London rivals West Ham, moving level with Maurizio Sarri's unbeaten Blues on points.

Erik Lamela headed home from Moussa Sissoko's cross at the end of the first half and Spurs saw out the game with their third successive Premier League clean sheet. The north Londoners remain just two points off the top of the table, with their next top-flight fixture coming at home against leaders Manchester City.

Positives

Tottenham won this derby duel with Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele and Son Heung-Min all starting on the bench, so the trio will be fresh for Wednesday's crucial trip to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. Lamela continued his fine goalscoring form, netting for the fifth time in seven games, while he has now scored or assisted 10 goals in his last nine matches in all competitions. Sissoko, a divisive figure among supporters, will have won over some fans with his excellent performance and Hugo Lloris also looks back to his best.

Negatives

Like the 1-0 victory over Cardiff before the international break, this was hardly Spurs in top gear and they were indebted to Lloris for their shutout. Their performances will need to improve if they are to stay among the leaders, and they will certainly need to raise their game against Man City a week on Monday.

Manager rating out of 10

7 -- Mauricio Pochettino's choice of personnel and 4-3-3 formation looked a little too reserved for most of the first half. With Sissoko playing in a three-man midfield, his side had plenty of solidity but not enough creativity. His decisions were justified in the end though. Sissoko created the decisive goal and the extra man in front of the defence helped Spurs to defend their lead throughout the second half.

Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating).

GK Hugo Lloris, 9 -- The Frenchman denied Marko Arnautovic with three excellent saves in the second half. Without his heroics the result would have been very different.

RB Kieran Trippier, 6 -- Reliable in his own half but his deliveries were below par at the other end.

CB Davinson Sanchez, 6 -- Generally solid, although he allowed Arnautovic to get through on goal in injury time. He could perhaps have done better with two chances in West Ham's penalty box too.

CB Toby Alderweireld, 7 -- Defended well, particularly when he threw himself in front of a Robert Snodgrass shot, diverting it wide six yards in front of his net.

LB Ben Davies, 6 -- Trustworthy in his own half but continues to look low on confidence in possession and offered very little going forward.

MF Eric Dier, 7 -- Quietly effective in front of his centre-backs.

MF Harry Winks, 7 -- Got on the ball and kept it moving with his customary poise, while fulfilling his defensive duties diligently. He could back himself more when space opens up and shooting opportunities arise 25 yards out.

MF Moussa Sissoko, 8 -- Made some surging runs through midfield and was rewarded for his efforts with a fine assist as his inch-perfect cross gifted Lamela his close-range winner. He worked hard defensively too. He continues to look most effective in this 4-3-3 system.

FW Erik Lamela, 8 -- Making his first Premier League start of the season, the Argentine added to his goal tally and nearly created another soon after when he wriggled free and forced Lukasz Fabianski to make a double intervention. 

FW Lucas Moura, 7 -- A willing runner in central and wide areas and he was quick to pounce on any loose balls in midfield. The Brazilian sometimes ran into traffic but he set up chances for Sissoko and Kane.

ST Harry Kane, 6 -- Had few sights of goal, with his only real chance coming in the first half when he burst through the left channel before having his shot well blocked by Issa Diop.

Substitutes:

MF Mousa Dembele, N/A -- Replaced Lamela with quarter of an hour remaining to beef up the midfield.

FW Fernando Llorente, N/A -- Entered the fray late on to help his side defend set pieces as West Ham launched their final aerial assaults.

MF Christian Eriksen, N/A - Made his return from injury in the final moments.

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