Speaking on a recent episode of the Football Writers Podcast, Jonathan Northcroft discussed Tottenham Hotspur’s recent draw with West Ham United, and what he feels would have denied the Hammers the opportunity to come back in the match.
Having raced into a three-goal lead inside just 16 minutes in the London derby, thanks to two goals from Harry Kane and one from Son Heung-min, Spurs appeared to be cruising to three points in the fixture until as late on as 81 minutes.
However, a Fabian Balbuena header in the 82nd minute, shortly before a Davinson Sanchez own goal in the 85th minute, ensured it would be a nervy finish for Jose Mourinho’s side.
And, just as it appeared as if Spurs had seen the game out, Manuel Lanzini unleashed a thunderous 94th-minute long-range strike with what was practically the last kick of the game, completing the West Ham comeback and leaving Tottenham dumbstruck.
The match was one topic of conversation on a recent episode of the Football Writers Podcast, in which Northcroft claimed the absence of the Spurs fans in the stadium allowed West Ham back into the game.
He said: “I think everything is more open than usual, we’re seeing that in the Premier League. We can look at all the different factors. I mean, the lack of crowds seems to me to be a huge leveller in games. We saw [on Sunday], for example, West Ham come back from three goals down against Spurs – I think if there’s a home crowd roaring the home team on, [then] West Ham probably don’t do that.”
Do you blame Mourinho for Tottenham's capitulation against West Ham?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Jonathan Northcroft’s comments regarding the absence of Spurs fans…
From Northcroft’s comments, it is clear the journalist is of the belief that if a home crowd had been present at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, then West Ham’s chances of coming back into the match would have been significantly reduced.
However, there are plenty of examples in football of an away side coming back to draw, or even win, a match having been behind.
In fact, West Ham did so against Tottenham as recently as 2017, when Spurs had led 2-0 at half time before the Hammers scored three second-half goals to turn the match on its head, going on to win the game 3-2.
So, while home fans may reduce the likelihood of an away side coming back into a match, it is, as West Ham have shown before, by no means impossible.