Graham Potter's West Ham fell to another heavy defeat on Saturday, as Tottenham ran out 3-0 victors at the London Stadium.
The game began positively for West Ham, who looked bright and improved - but it wasn't to last long. Spurs skipper Cristian Romero saw a goal dubiously ruled out for a foul in the first half, but it was in the second period where Thomas Frank's side really saw their dominance prevail.
Pape Matar Sarr put Spurs ahead just moments after the restart before Tomas Soucek received his marching orders for a high tackle on Joao Palhinha.
A brilliant header from Lucas Bergvall and a tidy Micky van de Ven finish completed the rout, as Frank condemned his counterpart Potter to yet another defeat as Hammers boss.
With that being said, here are three things we learnt from the game.
Spurs continue to demonstrate vast improvements and squad depth
Graham Potter's West Ham fell to another heavy defeat on Saturday, as Tottenham ran out 3-0 victors at the London Stadium
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Spurs’ victory on Saturday means they have won three of their opening four games and Thomas Frank continues to impress.
Their performance at the London Stadium was not a masterclass; rather they took advantage of West Ham’s clear weaknesses, but it was another commanding victory that they saw so few of last campaign.
Impressive performances once more from Bergvall, Mohammed Kudus and van de Ven should be noted.
Their squad depth was also showcased for all to see. After falling short in the pursuits of Morgan Gibbs-White and Eberechi Eze in the summer, Spurs managed to come out of the window having added genuine quality.
Spurs’ victory on Saturday means they have won three of their opening four games
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With Xavi Simons making his debut and Kudus on the other flank, Frank could look to a bench that consisted of Rodrigo Bentancour, Brennan Johnson, Randal Kolo Muani, Richarlison and Destiny Udogie.
With the club back in the Champions League this year, the quality of depth should help them in their pursuits to match last season’s achievement by winning a trophy - they have started this year how they mean to go on.
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The same woes for West Ham
Graham Potter cut a frustrated figure on the West Ham touchline
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West Ham’s start to the game showed promise.
The return of Crysencio Summerville to the Hammers starting side added quality and pace, but it wasn’t enough. He put a strong stake for a consistent spot on the left wing and demonstrated an exciting connection with full-back El Hadji Malick Diouf, who joined the club from Slavia Prague this summer.
But while the opening 30 minutes were promising for Potter’s team, the second-half capitulation was telling, once more. A red card and three goals in the first 20 minutes of the second period proved that the Hammers’ heads went down quickly.
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The mood around the club is far from good off the pitch, as are the performances on it. It isn't the first time that the London Stadium has looked almost empty long before the full time whistle.
It leaves Potter in a dire scenario. The former Chelsea boss has never been comfortable at the London Stadium, and this season could not have started much worse.
A victory before the international break against Nottingham Forest could well have kept him in a job, but another heavy home defeat will not do him any favours if he wants to remain in the West Ham dugout.
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VAR talking point once more
Cristian Romero saw his goal dubiously disallowed in the first half
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To conclude, yet again, a light has to be shone on VAR.
Midway through the first half, Cristian Romero headed home from close range in what appeared to be the opening goal of the game.
The Argentine was denied this due to pushing in the area, a decision given by on field referee Jarred Gillett. Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith, on commentary for Sky Sports, informed viewers that it was van de Ven who committed the foul on Hammers midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Despite Spurs protests, VAR upheld the decision to disallow the goal
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James Maddison, who is currently injured after rupturing his ACL during pre-season, made his feelings clear with a post on X: “Honestly, the referees & VAR have had an absolute shocker of a start to the season.
“If that goal is disallowed for a foul you will never ever see a corner be taken without referee blowing for something ever again.”
While less VAR intervention is most likely a positive thing for the Premier League, at the London Stadium on Saturday, a foul was difficult to spot at all and VAR could have made advised Gillet to review the footage.
Fans were left unimpressed by the decision, too. “It's actually at the point it's ridiculous now,” one fan wrote.
Another simply said: “Joke of a decision.”
Spurs would end the game victorious anyway, but VAR’s lack of intervention can be considered another mistake in the growing catalogue this year alone.