Ruthless and organised: Spurs stride through London Stadium in statement 3-0 win

Tottenham delivered a cool, clinical derby display to beat West Ham 3-0, a victory that showcased Thomas Frank’s fingerprints all over the team: set-piece clarity, defensive control, and incisive finishing once the door opened. Pape Matar Sarr headed in just after the interval, Tomas Soucek saw red for a reckless lunge on João Palhinha, and Lucas Bergvall and Micky van de Ven put the result beyond doubt.

It was the ideal first outing of the post‑Daniel Levy era, with influential figures in the stands and Spurs climbing to second in the table, level on points with the leaders. After a stumble before the international break, this was a strong response — and Tottenham’s first win at this ground in six years.

Control before the breakthrough, then a dead-ball dagger

Frank rotated with purpose: Rodrigo Bentancur and Richarlison were rested, Xavi Simons debuted on the left, and Mathys Tel led the line. Spurs settled faster, compressed the midfield, and imposed themselves on set-plays. They even had the ball in the net before half-time from a corner, only for Cristian Romero’s header to be ruled out after Van de Ven’s push on Kyle Walker‑Peters.

The pattern paid off straight after the restart. Simons arced a corner to the far post, Spurs flooded the zone, and Sarr was left unattended to nod in. It was a goal built on planning and precision — the kind of repeatable edge that wins tight derbies.

After the red, Spurs turned the screw

Soucek’s studs-up challenge on Palhinha brought a straight red and stripped the hosts of shape. From the next phase, Romero clipped a delicious ball over the top and Bergvall arrived late to loop a header beyond Mads Hermansen. West Ham scarcely recovered their bearings before the next blow landed.

Van de Ven’s third, drilled in amid hesitant defending just after the hour, underlined the visitors’ authority. Even with eight claret-and-blue shirts in the box, Spurs won the race to the decisive ball. From there it was about game management; the clean sheet never looked in doubt.

Bergvall blossoms, Kudus bristles, structure shines

Bergvall was outstanding: a clever late run and looping header for 2-0, then the composure to tee up Van de Ven for 3-0. Reintroduced in an advanced role, the 19‑year‑old stitched moves together and, by the numbers, barely misplaced a pass. It was a performance of calm authority and end product.

On the right, Mohammed Kudus relished his return, braving boos to repeatedly stretch West Ham. His assertiveness provided a persistent outlet and helped pin the hosts back as Tottenham controlled territory and tempo.

Markers, milestones, and what’s next

This was a clean, clear win in the first match since Levy’s removal as chair, and it continued Frank’s bright start on the road — he is now among a select few Spurs managers to win their first two away top-flight games in charge. The result also pushed Tottenham up to second and ended a six-year wait for a league win at this venue.

Frank called it a good, clear performance, and the tape backs him up: control before the interval, ruthlessness after it, and a defensive unit that looks drilled and decisive. Next up, Tottenham host Villarreal in the Champions League on Tuesday, 16 September before visiting Brighton on Saturday, 20 September (15:00 BST).