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EFL Cup analysis: Fans spark West Ham revival as Tottenham caught cold at Wembley

AFP/Getty Images
AFP/Getty Images

Slaven Bilic will sleep well this evening after masterminding a remarkable West Ham comeback over Tottenham to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals.

Mousa Sissoko and Dele Alli saw Spurs stroll into a half-time lead and few - if any - saw a revitalised Hammers side appearing after the break.

But they did. Andre Ayew and Angelo Ogbonna shared three goals inside 15 minutes as the Hammers claim bragging rights at Wembley Stadium.

Tom Collomosse was at Wembley Stadium to assess the key talking points...

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Fans’ chant prompts Hammers revival

West Ham were dismal for the first 50 minutes of this game yet – curiously – their performance improved dramatically after their supporters called for the dismissal of the club’s board.

Having watched their team, showing nine changes from the home defeat by Brighton, looked disjointed for the entire first half, the travelling fans burst into a chant of “Sack the board”. There was nothing against manager Slaven Bilic or any of the players and their faith was justified in spectacular fashion. Andy Carroll started to dominate Juan Foyth.

After an irrelevant first-half display, Manuel Lanzini was suddenly the most influential player on the pitch, racing past opponents and creating chances for team-mates. Sure enough, Tottenham were caught cold when West Ham scored three times in 15 minutes, to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead. Extraordinary.

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

Rose makes impressive comeback

This was Danny Rose’s first start for Tottenham since January 31, when he sustained the knee injury at Sunderland that would keep him out for nearly nine months.

Although Rose looked understandably rusty, it was a reassuring performance – he used the ball sensibly, was solid in defence and attacked at the right times. Though he lacked the acceleration that makes him such a fearsome attacking prospect, this will surely come as he gains fitness.

It seems unlikely that Rose will start at Manchester United on Saturday but at this stage of the season, it is a huge benefit that he is back in the squad. Rose was replaced by Christian Eriksen in the 81st minute but could be happy with his night’s work.

(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
(Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)

No Kane, no gain

Before this game, Mauricio Pochettino hailed Fernando Llorente as the perfect deputy for Harry Kane – but the Spaniard, 32, has yet to justify the fee of close to £14million that persuaded Swansea to sell him in August.

With Kane rested, this was Llorente’s chance and though held the ball up well, he simply did not carry enough threat in front of goal.

Dele Alli and Heung-min Son tested the West Ham defence far more and though Llorente was involved in the move that led to Moussa Sissoko’s opening goal, he needed to do more to trouble the visitors.

Llorente was replaced by Mousa Dembele – his first appearance since September 19 – in the 71st minute and he will surely not be picked to face United this weekend.

(AFP/Getty Images)
(AFP/Getty Images)

Turning point for Bilic?

At 2-0 down and with his team struggling to do any damage to Tottenham, Slaven Bilic seemed powerless to turn around his West Ham fortunes.

Though defeat at Crystal Palace this weekend would again place his future in serious doubt, West Ham’s incredible second-half comeback suggested that a significant number of players are still fighting for him.

Considering the circumstances, Bilic was relatively subdued on the touchline, although he did punch the air and leap for joy when Andre Ayew scored his second to make it 2-2.

At full-time, Bilic embraced Pochettino and shook hands with Tottenham’s backroom staff before walking down the tunnel. It was a classy gesture: given the pressure he has been under, nobody could have blamed him for taking the applause of the away fans, but he opted to leave the stage to his players.