Ange Postecoglou praised for ‘big’ James Maddison call in Tottenham victory

Ange Postecoglou has been praised by the TNT Sports panel for making a “big” decision involving James Maddison during Tottenham Hotspur’s 4-1 victory over West Ham United on Saturday.

West Ham opened the scoring in the opening 20 minutes with Mohammed Kudus striking the visitors ahead in north London - but his goal was cancelled out by Dejan Kulusevski’s scrappy equaliser before the break.

The momentum stuck with Spurs in the second half, as it was the hosts who dealt the hammer blow to claim all three points, following a flurry of quickfire goals through Yves Bissouma, Heung-min Son and an own goal from Alphonse Areola.

Premier League 2024-2025

Villa and Brighton earn key away wins, Leicester stun Southampton with last-gasp comeback

an hour ago

Tottenham looked back to their free-flowing best in the second period, without Maddison after his substitution at half-time for Pape Sarr.

After the game, Peter Crouch credited Spurs boss Postecoglou for his decision, which ultimately played a role in his side claiming what turned out to be a comfortable victory.

“It was a big call,” the former Tottenham striker said on TNT Sports. “James Maddison is a fantastic player, as we well know, but I think the balance wasn’t quite right [in the first half].

'One of the best' - Managers react to Tuchel becoming new England boss

“I think it’s better with Bissouma and Sarr in there, and maybe one of Kulusevski or Maddison. It’s difficult to get them all in.”

Another former Tottenham player, Les Ferdinand, also agreed with Postecoglou’s decision to withdraw Maddison at the break.

“It allowed Kulusevski to push further forward, knowing that you’ve still got the legs of Bissouma and Sarr in the middle of the park that can stretch forward,” Ferdinand said.

“Although West Ham defended deep, Tottenham, perhaps, didn’t move the ball quickly enough and get behind enough, so I think with just that change, Tottenham were allowed to change their shape a little bit and get further and further in behind. [Dominic] Solanke came into the game even more.

“It was a tactical change you’ve got to give him [Postecoglou] credit for, for what he did. It changed the face of how Tottenham were playing.”

Crouch: ‘Absolute superstar’ Son is a ‘manager’s dream’

'Excited' Tuchel aims to 'build' on Southgate's work as he takes over England

Spurs captain Son returned from injury with a bang to score his third goal of the season, capping off a resurgent performance with Tottenham’s fourth.

Crouch was full of praise for the Spurs player, and labelled him a “dream” player for managers.

“A manager’s dream, right?” Crouch said on TNT Sports. “Someone like that who speaks as well [as he does].

“He’s an absolute superstar as well as we can see behind us here, the amount of people [who have stayed for him]. I thought it was for me, Glenn [Hoddle] and Les, but apparently they’re for him.

“And what a player, just devastating when he gets in those positions one-on-one, you just know he’s going to score, he’s clinical.

“He’s great to have around the place, he’s got a great attitude and he plays with a smile on his face. Even speaking to him there, he makes everyone smile, the manner and the way he is.”

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024/25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

Premier League 2024-2025

Watch the moment Kudus 'lost his head' by lashing out at Spurs players - 'He had to go!'

Premier League 2024-2025

Son on goalscoring return after injury: I treat every game like the last of my career