Published: 10:30, December 8, 2023 | Updated: 10:37, December 8, 2023
West Ham stun Tottenham with comeback win
By Reuters

West Ham United's Polish goalkeeper #01 Lukasz Fabianski (right) punches the ball away from the head of Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh defender #33 Ben Davies (center) but clashes with West Ham United's Czech midfielder #28 Tomas Soucek (second right) during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on Dec 7, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

LONDON - Tottenham Hotspur's inability to convert leads into Premier League points returned with a vengeance in a 2-1 home defeat by West Ham United as their winless run extended to five matches on Thursday.

A lacklustre West Ham were completely outplayed in the opening half in which the returning Cristian Romero's header was scant reward for Tottenham's domination.

But West Ham were much improved after the break and Jarrod Bowen's equalizer in the 52nd minute changed the complexion of the derby as Tottenham's early confidence ebbed away.

ALSO READ: Tottenham go top with 2-0 home victory over Fulham

Tottenham's Richarlison (center) fights for the ball with West Ham's Edson Alvarez during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on Dec 7, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

Tottenham then self-destructed in the 74th minute when Destiny Udogie's under-hit back pass caused chaos and James Ward-Prowse tucked in a rebound after his initial shot rebounded back to him off the post.

West Ham comfortably soaked up some late Tottenham pressure and held on for a victory that moved them within three points of their London rivals.

READ MORE: Tottenham hold Arsenal, Liverpool go 2nd, Newcastle hit 8

Tottenham remain in fifth place with 27 points but have picked up only one point from their last five games having led 1-0 in all of them. West Ham are ninth with 24 points.