Five talking points from Tottenham's crushing London derby defeat to West Ham

1. Kyle Walker returns

It came as something as a surprise when Kieran Trippier – supposedly the reserve right-back – was selected for both the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and the north London derby.

Meanwhile, England international Kyle Walker was selected for the trip to 16^th-placed Crystal Palace on the Wednesday in between.

It seemed there had been an element of role reversal and, since Sunday’s clash against Arsenal, Walker’s situation and future has been the subject of intense speculation, amid interest from Manchester City.

Pochettino declined to offer much clarity on Thursday, sticking to his policy of avoiding discussions about rumours and saying he “cannot confirm” whether the 26-year-old is happy at White Hart Lane.

But actions speak louder than words and Walker was selected in Friday’s line-up against West Ham, while Trippier dropped to the bench.

Has that underlined his status as Spurs’ senior right-back, or is this simply an ongoing period of rotation and alternation? Is the idea of a first and second-choice player in the position unhelpful and misleading in the first place?

We may learn more when Tottenham’s schedule intensifies in the final week of the season – they finish their campaign with three matches in the space of eight days against Manchester United, Leicester and Hull City.

But, for now, it is clear at least that Walker remains a trusted member of the squad and that Pochettino is happy to pick him.

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2. Mousa Dembele is overlooked and introduced too late

Having limped off half way through the 1-0 victory at Palace, the masterful Belgian had to make do with a place on the bench against Arsenal last weekend, and a 10-minute cameo at the end.

That involvement against the Gunners, when he was not really needed, suggested he was fit enough to play tonight, and most supporters probably expected him to walk straight back into the side, such is his importance.

However, that would have involved dropping either Eric Dier or Heung-Min Son, who were both strong performers in the 2-0 victory over Arsenal.

Pochettino was seemingly loath to do so and therefore stuck with both players, leaving Dembele among the substitutes again – Walker’s inclusion was the only change to the line-up.

However, Tottenham struggled without him. While Victor Wanyama and Dier gave the visitors a combative pairing for a second consecutive London derby, they became caught up in a frenetic clash which suited their hosts, and failed to exert their usual control.

As the first half wore on, Christian Eriksen began to drop deeper to get involved and try to improve Spurs’ use of possession – a sure sign that Dembele was needed.

In the end Pochettino waited until the 67th minute to make the necessary change – and by that time his side were behind.

3. Spurs’ defensive difficulties

Tottenham have the best defensive record in the Premier League and had kept clean sheets in their previous four top-flight fixtures, but they looked vulnerable throughout against West Ham.

While Spurs’ creative players struggled to get into the game and make an impact, the Hammers repeatedly found space behind their visitors’ defenders, cleverly attacking the space behind Walker in particular.

Manuel Lanzini wasted an early chance after the home side found themselves two v one, and Hugo Lloris then had to rush from his goal to make an important challenge on the Argentinian.

Spurs’ defending left a lot to be desired when the goal arrived too, failing to stop Aaron Cresswell’s cross and then allowing the ball to reach Lanzini five yards out.

The scoreline have been far worse in the end. Lloris made a fine save to deny Jonathan Calleri after the usually reliable Alderweireld lost the ball inside his own box, and the Hammers were also denied a second strike moments before the final whistle.

4. Déjà vu in east London

Spurs suffered a heavy blow in their title bid away against West Ham last season, when a six-match winning run in the Premier League was ended by a 1-0 defeat at Upton Park.

Fifteen months later, Tottenham arrived at the London Stadium on the back of a nine-match streak of top-flight victories. By contrast, the Hammers had emerged victorious in only one of their previous 11 matches.

However, that old cliché about derbies, form books and windows rang true again. The venue may have been different but history repeated itself as Spurs suffered another 1-0 loss, to the delight of the Hammers fans, who had previously endured a disappointing first season at their new home.

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5. Game over in the title race?

A victory tonight would have taken Spurs one point behind Chelsea and given the leaders a long weekend as they await their meeting with Middlesbrough on Monday night.

Instead, the champions elect only need to win two of their remaining four games to claim the crown. Since those come against Boro, West Brom, Watford and already-relegated Sunderland, it is hard to see them collapsing now.

Tottenham were already up against it and they should still claim second place – their highest ever finish in the Premier League – but they will rue the fact that they have not taken the fight to the end, and have probably allowed Chelsea to walk over the finish line.

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