When West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur play one another there is always plenty riding on the result.
The Premier League is back with a bang and Hammers fans probably wish it wasn’t.
Spurs and West Ham fans live and work amongst one another.
There are even families with divided loyalties when it comes this particular London rivalry.
West Ham have bigger rivals in the shape of Millwall and Tottenham have Arsenal.
But beyond that West Ham and Spurs is right up there.
There’s no love lost between the two clubs on or off the pitch.
From pitch to terraces to boardroom.
West Ham defeat to Spurs will sting more than most
That was evident as Mohammed Kudus was sent off for flooring three Tottenham players towards the end of a chastening 4-1 defeat.
The fact some of the Hammers fanbase have applauded Kudus’ actions tells you much about the strength of feeling in this particular fixture.
West Ham have enjoyed goading Tottenham in recent years, especially after their European trophy win.
So the Hammers have to suck this one up and take it on the chin.
While West Ham supporters openly admit they see Tottenham as their biggest Prem rivals in the absence of Millwall, there is an element of denial from north London.
Many Spurs fans patronisingly claim the rivalry is one-sided and that they don’t care about West Ham.
Chants of “4-1 in your cup final” from the home end providing evidence of that.
But videos have debunked the myth Spurs don’t care about the West Ham rivalry after the thrashing.
Videos debunk myth Spurs don’t care about West Ham rivalry
Social media has been awash with videos from Tottenham fans that disprove claims they don’t care about the Hammers.
Thousands stayed on the concourses after the game for a sing-song about the club that apparently aren’t their rivals.
‘West Ham get battered everywhere they go’ rang out as Tottenham rejoiced in the victory.
The scenes are reminiscent of a fanbase that had just watched their side win a trophy.
Anyone watching might have thought Ange Postecoglou had been true to his promise of delivering silverware in his second season.
Except no trophies are handed out for this particular cup final.
Tottenham have the latest bragging rights firmly in their grasp, though.
There’s not a lot the Hammers can do about that now until they meet again in the final month of the season.
Revenge will be on the cards at the London Stadium.
But make no mistake Spurs do care about West Ham and this proved it.
Comments in the videos from West Ham fans shared a common theme – asking ‘We thought you didn’t care about us’.
Credit where it is due, though, Spurs were and are the better side and have a better, braver manager in charge.
It is that kind of humility from the Hammers which sets them and Tottenham apart.
And one of the big reasons for the intense dislike between the two fanbases in the first place.
While West Ham fans sing about being massive with an element of self-deprecation, Spurs fans actually believe it.
West Ham fans didn’t stick around to be goaded with the 3,000 plus strong claret and blue army leaving long before the final whistle.
While Tottenham fans partied off the pitch, on it there a number of Hammers stars who didn’t deserve to be on the losing side.
Pathetic Lucas Paqueta and awful Alphonse Areola took the shine off their 8/10 quartet.
The result piles the pressure back on West Ham’s head coach.