So, Tottenham Hotspur wait 16 years for a trophy and then two come along in the space of a few weeks for West Ham United’s Premier League rivals.
Well, OK, not quite.
But with the admittedly less-than prestigious Herbalgy Trophy on the line, Pape Matar Sarr’s stunning lob secured a 1-0 victory for the suddenly silver-hoarding Spurs over their serial-bottlers from down the road in North London.
Just hours after Niclas Fullkrug’s ‘ridiculous’ winner saw West Ham past Everton in Chicago – a morale-boosting victory for Graham Potter’s side in the USA Premier League Summer Series – Sarr chipped a floundering Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in front of nearly 50,000 supporters in Hong Kong.
If that was the standout moment of a tight, one-goal game, though, the standout performance arguably came from the man who inherited the number 20 shirt most famously worn by Dele Alli at Tottenham Hotspur.
Daniel Levy convinced David Sullivan to accept a bid of £54.5 million for Mohammed Kudus earlier in July.
Now, whether that proves to be a good investment depends largely upon which version of the former West Ham United forward Tottenham are getting.
The claret-and-blue blur who earned a Puskas Award nomination while scoring 14 West Ham goals in 2023/24? Or the Kudus who appeared to lose his focus, his discipline, and his self-confidence under Julen Lopetegui?
Tottenham fans hail Mohammed Kudus as former West Ham star impresses in Arsenal win
The reaction from an impressed Tottenham fanbase certainly hints at the former.
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“It’s so refreshing to have an attacker like Kudus who’s actually a problem to defend against,” one fan writes on X after watching the Ghana international use his turn of pace and excellent close control to surge away from his Arsenal opponents.
About damn time!,” another agrees in response.
“Kudus is a cheat code.”
“Finally, the strength to not have the ball come straight back at us. Good times.”
Even during a difficult second season at West Ham, Kudus’ upper-body strength meant he was always a useful outlet for a team looking to drag themselves up the pitch. It appears that prizefighter build and his ability to spin away from even the tightest markers have added a different dimension to an occasionally lightweight Spurs attack.
“It’s actually quite hilarious how many times Kudus helps us retain the ball. Imagine [Brennan] Johnson in that possession.
“Absolutely loving Kudus’ work rate and tenacity.”
“Useful both ends of the field too, absolute work horse.”
“Kudus is a one man army. What a unit!”
Spurs supporters label Kudus a potential ‘superstar’ under Thomas Frank
The former Ajax ace lasted 60 minutes as Tottenham beat Arsenal in the first ever North London derby held outside of English soil.
Champions League football was ‘the biggest reason’ why Kudus opted to become the first player since Scott Parker in 2011 to leave West Ham for Spurs. Now under the stewardship of ex-Brentford coach Thomas Frank, Tottenham may fancy their chances of going deep in the competition too if they can land a couple more game-changing additions before the September deadline.
“What a brilliant signing,” another fan writes.
“This is really why you pay up for top talent like Kudus. They elevate and electrify the rest of the team and make them play better. Top players do that.
“Kudus is pure quality. How many times does he receive the ball in disadvantageous positions and still come away with it? His back-to-goal work is top class. Him and Sarr have looked quality during pre-season.”
“Kudus is so good man. A type of winger we’ve been crying out for. I was excited when we signed him, but he’s surpassed how good I thought he was. I can’t believe we had a free run at him.
“Mohammed Kudus is so obviously going to be a superstar for us. Not sure the last time I felt this way about an attacking signing.”