Three things we learned from Tottenham win as set-piece change pays off and Xavi Simons shows signs on debut | OneFootball

A third clean sheet of the season also highlights the massive improvement from Tottenham under Thomas Frank

Your matchday briefing on Tottenham, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Tottenham’s owners launched a new era at the club over the international break and it began in perfect fashion.

All the action came in a 20-minute spell at the start of the second half, during which Tomas Soucek was shown a straight red card for a dreadful challenge on Joao Palhinha and West Ham collapsed.

Set-piece threat

There was little to be excited about from a Spurs perspective from open play in the opening 45 minutes, but they did carry a real threat from set-pieces.

The visitors won eight corners in the first half and looked dangerous from nearly all of them. It felt like a matter of time before a goal came from one.

Mohammed Kudus was tasked with providing the in-swingers from the right, to a growing chorus of boos on each occasion, while it was notable that Xavi Simons was the taker on the other flank, taking on that responsibility from Pedro Porro.

Spurs should have taken the lead from a set-piece, when Cristian Romero powered home a header. The referee ruled it out for a foul from Van de Ven and VAR confirmed that decision, but it was the wrong one. The contact was minimal and the Dutchman had been shoved himself by Mateus Fernandes.

Controversy: Cristian Romero’s goal was disallowed in the first half

AFP via Getty Images

Van de Ven went close himself from a subsequent corner, when Mads Hermansen smothered his effort after a scramble in the box.

It was no surprise, therefore, when Spurs took the lead within two minutes of the restart from a corner. Sarr was left completely free and he nodded in at the back post.

Spurs mixed up their deliveries, some whipped to the near post and others floated deep. The work on the training ground is paying off in a big change from last season.

Simons needs time

Frank handed Simons a full debut at the first possible opportunity. Spurs' new No7 showed some positive signs but much more can be expected in the weeks ahead.

Starting out on the left, the Dutchman struggled to get involved in the early stages beyond the occasional dart inside.

His deflected shot earned the corner that Romero headed in from, but it was otherwise a slow start from Simons.

He will need time to get on the same wavelength as his team-mates, as seen when he disguised a reverse pass to his outside where there was nobody in a white shirt. Simons then ran the ball out of play late in the half to sum up a frustrating first 45 minutes for the club.

Debutant: Xavi Simons

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He did, though, get his first Spurs assist after the break, whipping in the corner for Sarr’s header and swivelling to face the West Ham fans and pump his fists.

That was an insight into his confident character and there were some other lovely touches, including a great flick to cut inside past Lucas Paqueta.

Simons does feel better suited to the No10 role and he will surely start there before long, when Spurs will be hoping he can become more influential.

Defence delivers again

Spurs kept five Premier League clean sheets in the entirety of last season - that tally already stands at three this term.

There has been rotation in midfield and attack from Frank but has stuck with the same back four and goalkeeper for all four league matches, even with Destiny Udogie now fit again.

Cristian Romero is seemingly relishing life as the club captain, producing his best on a far more consistent basis.

Platform for success: Tottenham have kept three clean sheets this season

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Spurs’ pressing has not always been perfect and, as in other matches this season, there were times when they looked somewhat vulnerable on the break, but Van de Ven’s pace regularly gets them out of trouble. He mopped up here again on more than one occasion.

Frank does not have his full-backs quite so advanced or inverted as Ange Postecoglou did and, combined with Joao Palhinha’s introduction, Spurs have a far more solid base from which to pick up results.