Tottenham Hotspur fans have had a lot to thank West Ham for in the last three years despite their intense rivalry.
There is little love lost between West Ham and Tottenham – on or off the pitch.
Frosty relations on the terraces are mirrored in the boardroom.
Both the Hammers and Spurs have bigger, fiercer rivals in the shape of Millwall and Arsenal.
Tottenham fans have found themselves in an awkward position in recent years when it comes to West Ham.
Last week Spurs were toasting a famous West Ham win against the Gunners at the Emirates.
The result is widely considered to have ended the Premier League title hopes of Tottenham’s arch rivals.
Not for the first time either.
Spurs found themselves grateful to the Hammers for a 2-0 victory over Arsenal which ended up costing them the title last season.
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And a 2-2 draw the season before derailed Arsenal’s hopes of a first title since 2004 too.
West Ham, the Premier League’s great party poopers
West Ham have always had a reputation for being one of English football’s great party poopers.
Whether it was stopping Man United winning the league, derailing Tottenham’s Champions League hopes with a side-serving of dodgy lasagne or their recent hat-trick of Arsenal title obstructions.
But one of the biggest and most significant victories West Ham have ever conjured against a rival is often understated or forgotten altogether.
In fact it was nine years ago this week a West Ham star did something that will haunt Spurs forever.
West Ham have plenty of bogey teams and bogeymen who are a thorn in their side.
But the Hammers also possess one of their own when it comes to Tottenham Hotspur.
Michail Antonio is a bona fide West Ham hero.
Unfortunately the striker has been out of action since his horrific car crash back in December.
Antonio is West Ham’s history maker. And he wants to make more as he targets a miraculous return before the end of the season.
Antonio scored the last ever goal at Upton Park and the first Premier League goal at the London Stadium.
He became the scorer of West Ham United’s first goal in European football proper in over 40 years away at Dinamo Zagreb in 2021 – not including the Intertoto Cup.
The Hammers’ all-time top Premier League scorer, who turns 35 this month, is also known for being the first visiting player to score at Tottenham’s new stadium, resulting in their first ever defeat there too.
But it was another of his goals against Spurs back in the first week of March 2016 which arguably had the biggest impact.
West Ham star did something that will haunt Spurs forever
Antonio likes scoring against Tottenham. He has six goals and an assist in matches against West Ham’s London rivals.
None more significant than his stooping header from an impossible angle on anther memorable night in the Farewell Boleyn campaign, though.
West Ham won 1-0.
The Mirror reported at the time the goal had ‘seismic ramifications’ for Tottenham’s bid for the Premier League title. They were right.
That goal and win denied Tottenham the chance to be in top spot in March for the first time in over 50 years.
Had Tottenham overcome West Ham that night, many feel they would have gone on to beat Leicester City to the title.
West Ham fans will shudder at the thought of Tottenham having a Premier League title to lord over them right now.
Nine years ago Antonio stopped Spurs winning the title
While West Ham ended their own 43-year major trophy drought in the summer of 2023, Spurs’ wait for silverware enters a 17th year.
Antonio’s goal that night actually put Slaven Bilic’s side just one point off fourth-placed Manchester City at the time.
Forget stopping Arsenal winning the league, Antonio’s diving header ultimately stopped Spurs doing the same.
It also ensured Leicester completed that unforgettable fairytale – one of the greatest sporting achievements in history.
Tottenham fans still look back with deep regret on that season, feeling that was the biggest chance they will ever get to lift the Premier League title.
It is a moment that will forever haunt Tottenham.
And one that West Ham will never forget for that very same reason.
You can relive the goal below, but while we’re talking about Antonio and Spurs it would be wrong not to pay West Ham’s rivals their due.
Because Tottenham showed true class to Antonio and West Ham when he was involved in his car crash.
They put rivalry aside to send their best wishes to West Ham and the striker, showing there really are some things more important than football.