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EPL 2017/18: West Ham United 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur, 5 talking points

Tottenam Hotspur celebrate scoring against West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur celebrate scoring against West Ham United

West Ham United hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the lunchtime kickoff to start game week six and it turned out to be a rather frustrating afternoon for the Hammers. After a fairly good start to the game where Slaven Bilic's side kept Spurs quite, they were two goals behind in the span of four minutes as Harry Kane scored twice from a close range.

Though West Ham went into halftime with a two-goal deficit to overcome, they had given a good account of themselves. Spurs, on the other hand, could have had more if it wasn't for the post. Harry Kane was unlucky not to score a first-half hat-trick as the Hammers back three struggle to contain him.

The plan for the second half was clear as West Ham introduced Andy Carroll. However, the away side were in no mood to take the foot off the gas as Christian Eriksen calmy slotted a deflected cross by Serge Aurier to triple the North London side's lead.

West Ham were given a lifeline by Javier Hernandez's header and Spurs' edginess was compounded when Serge Aurier was sent off for two yellow cards.

The hosts peppered the box with crosses, one of which found Cheikhou Kouyate's head who buried it. With three minutes or so left in normal time, West Ham tried but failed to find the elusive equaliser. Here are the talking points from the game.

#5 Marko Arnautovic, an enigma unsolved

Marko Arnautovic
Marko Arnautovic

When Marko Arnautovic played under Mark Hughes, there was hope that Sparky could get the best out of him, something that Sir Alex Ferguson managed with Hughes more than two decades ago.

He was infuriating at times, but he still had moments of brilliance that could wow the fans. A record buy at West Ham, a lot more was expected and it's safe to say that he has failed to replicate any of the good stuff that he pulled off at Stoke.

Arnautovic's first touch was woeful at times and he was rightly taken off in the 66th minute for Andre Ayew. However, the latter didn't do anything worthy of note either.

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