There had already been one derby steamrollering in this Premier League weekend, and Matthew Upson saw West Ham United threaten another during an outstanding first-half performance away to Tottenham Hotspur.
After former Hammer Michael Carrick masterminded a 2-0 victory over Pep Guardiola – the scoreline far more flattering to Manchester City than it was a rip-roaring Man United – Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will have been disappointed to walk down the tunnel only one goal to the good away to their own arch rivals.
Crysencio Summerville ended his 25-match goal drought against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup six days prior. As he cut inside Pedro Porro and fired a deflected effort past Guglielmo Vicario in the 15th minute, West Ham United’s number seven found the net on the Premier League stage for the first time since the Julen Lopetegui era.
Describe that first-half masterclass in ONE word!
And how good has Summerville been…
But, as Matthew Upson said during the world feed’s live coverage, do not underestimate the role new boy Pablo Felipe played in the build-up.
Matt Upson hails West Ham United duo Crysencio Summerville and Pablo Felipe
Taty Castellanos used his physicality and back-to-goal awareness to help open up the space for Summerville to drive a dagger into QPR hearts. This time, it was the other of West Ham’s January recruits who played his part.
Nuno handed Pablo a full Premier League debut in place of the absent Lucas Paqueta. And as the Hammers cut a swathe through Spurs’ paper-thin midfield, Pablo popped a lovely first-time lay-off into Mateus Fernandes’ path.
Fernandes then rattled a wicked pass into Summerville’s path, and the Dutchman did the rest.
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“What fantastic football from West Ham! One-touch play, I really like the lay-off from Pablo,” said Upson, who spent four years at Upton Park from 2007 to 2011.
“Porro cannot allow him inside the pitch; the moment he steps inside, Summerville was always favourite – he was going to get that shot off. This is really difficult for Vicario. There’s bodies in the way and the deflection goes in West Ham’s favour, but lovely football to build the situation.
“Nuno will be delighted with that.
“It got popped around the corner into Pablo, two one-touch passes on the bounce. Really nice, simple, quality football from West Ham. Well played from Summerville.
“It looks like the goal has given them a little bit of confidence. Summerville is the key.”
Tottenham terrified as Summerville draws Cristian Romero booking
The former Leeds speedster would breeze through Thomas Frank’s side time and time again in the opening 45 minutes. He even drew a yellow card from the always-combustible Cristian Romero, with both Spurs’ players and their supporters looking terrified and traumatised every time Summerville received possession.
“There’s a feeling with the Spurs fans that, when he gets hold of the ball, there’s a bit of a gasp of ‘what’s going to happen’. They are not happy. He’s looked a real threat Summerville,” Upson adds. He’s played really well in this first half.
“Summerville has been outstanding. To the point where they don’t want to deal with him. Romero has gone straight through the back of him. Summerville has been the star of the first-half.”
How West Ham would love to REPEAT that famous 3-0 win…
But can you work out the four missing players from the 2013 victory?
Upson lauds brilliant Hammers first-half in London derby
Tottenham needed a couple of superb saves from Vicario to deny both Tomas Soucek and Konstantinos Mavropanos. Jarrod Bowen had a goal ruled out for offside while Castellanos failed to hit the target with a header from point-blank range.
“When they are pressed in, if West Ham get one or two passes off, there’s space on the flanks. [Tottenham] look a little bit exposed to me,” said Upson, feeling that the game may be there for the taking for the visitors.
“I’ve been impressed with West Ham on the ball. They’ve got out of tight areas, moved the ball well, and have had a fair chunk of possession as well.
“It is the best I’ve seen West Ham play for a while. They’ve set up nicely away from home. It should be two or three [nil] in this game.”