The game against Tottenham Hotspur was a tipping point for a frustrated Mohammed Kudus at West Ham this season.
Mohammed Kudus enjoyed a scintillating first season at West Ham.
But the Hammers star boy has – by his own admission – failed to hit the same heights this season.
West Ham’s struggles in the most wide open Premier League season for 12 years have been less headline-grabbing given that rivals Tottenham Hotspur are struggling too.
Not to mention the likes of Manchester United.
West Ham have little but pride and league position to play for in the last 12 games of the campaign.
Victory at Arsenal has given West Ham’s season some semblance of meaning, stopping their London rivals winning the title – again.
There is no love lost between the Hammers and Spurs. But make no mistake that win would have gone down well among Tottenham fans.
Another carrot dangling for Graham Potter’s side is to finish above Tottenham.
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Beating Leicester will see West Ham draw level on 33 points with Spurs with 11 games left.
Kudus responds when asked cheeky Spurs question
With the likes of Kudus finally showing some form, hopes will be high for a positive end to the season.
In many ways Kudus has been indicative of his team’s form and performances this term.
The Ghanaian was dismissed after the red mist descended in the Premier League defeat to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur back in October.
Kudus gave the Hammers the lead in that game.
But West Ham, as they did all too often under Julen Lopetegui, capitulated to lose 4-1.
It was during that collapse that a ruckus ignited when Kudus kicked the ball against Tottenham defender Mickey van de Ven while he was on the floor as he tried to tackle the Hammers man.
Van de Ven jumped up, pushed Kudus and called him ‘crazy’. Kudus then shoved the Dutchman in the face and he went to ground.
Pape Matar Sarr joined him there when he confronted Kudus, who retaliated by shoving him in the face too.
Kudus was initially booked but had his yellow upgraded to red after the intervention of VAR.
When giving testimony to the FA as they considered what ban to dish out, Kudus said he had been provoked by Tottenham players.
He also argued he was stressed from the backlash he and the Ghana national team were facing at the time.
So it is fair to say Tottenham might not be the West Ham star’s favourite club.
Smiling Kudus can have the last laugh over Tottenham
Now Kudus has responded when asked a cheeky Spurs question after West Ham training.
The 24-year-old stopped to sign autographs for fans on his way out of West Ham’s Rush Green training ground.
Winding the window down on his Mercedes ALM, Kudus was asked his thoughts on Tottenham by a Hammers supporter.
“One question, what do you think of Tottenham?” the fan asks Kudus while laughing.
Kudus pauses for a moment then just laughs with a knowing smile – much to the amusement of the gathered fans.
@all_london_memorabilia
Top bloke 👍🏼😂 #fyp #alllondonmembroblilia #viral #cars #whatdoyouthinkoftottenham @H̷S @Kuku Moh
♬ original sound – London_Memorabilia
West Ham’s most individually talented player was back to something like his best at Arsenal.
The Hammers welcome Tottenham to the London Stadium in May.
So they will be hoping he keeps that up to exact some revenge on Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Kudus has an £85m release clause in his West Ham contract, active this summer.
The Hammers have conceded they will have to ‘be creative’ with a ‘minimal’ transfer budget in the next window.
So they may be forced to sell Kudus to raise funds.
Although it is highly unlikely anyone will activate his release clause after a quiet season, West Ham will still hope to fetch around £60m for the attacker if he does depart.
An eye-catching end to the season certainly won’t hurt his or West Ham’s cause if his stay is to last just two seasons.
And if he helps the Irons finish above Tottenham, then Kudus will have the last laugh.