Tottenham Hotspur vs. West Ham United: The Premier League’s Disappointment Derby

The 2015-16 Premier League season was one of the best for a while for both Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

The north Londoners seriously challenged for the Premier League title for the first time in decades, in the process earning their much-desired return to the Champions League. Revitalised by the management of recent hiring Slaven Bilic and the contributions of new playmaker Dimitri Payet, their East End rivals were in contention for a while too. Ultimately qualifying for the Europa League instead, their final season at Upton Park was marked by some memorable moments.

Both will and should remember the campaign fondly. The disappointment felt at its conclusion, though—especially by Tottenham—was commensurate with the underachieving nature of this rivalry.

This has been brought to mind by the two sides’ latest meeting and how their current positions contrast.

Tottenham have started the season decently, keeping in touch with the top of the table despite failing to convert draws into wins since early October. The recent form of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool has, however, called into question if Mauricio Pochettino’s side can get back to the heights of last season’s unexpected championship chase.

Heading into the Saturday evening game, West Ham were still sitting just outside the relegation zone—a consequence of an inconsistent start to their campaign as they settled into their new London Stadium home. 

Could their fortunes be about to diverge again, reminiscent of much of the last decade? Or is it something akin to the shared (relative) mediocrity of much of the 1990s that lies ahead?

They will hope it is neither and they both end up back competing in the Premier League’s upper echelon. But amid all the capital enmity between these two (coming more acutely from West Ham’s direction, similar to Spurs’ inferiority-tinged hatred of Arsenal), it is hard to get away from this being the division’s most distinct disappointment derby.

The two have enjoyed considerable past successes that have shaped respective inclinations towards upholding tradition and certain playing ideals.

In the 1960s Tottenham were led by Bill Nicholson as Ron Greenwood managed West Ham. Each won trophies at home and abroad while coaching some of the defining players of the era, the likes of Danny Blanchflower, Jimmy Greaves, Geoff Hurst, Dave Mackay, Bobby Moore and Martin Peters.

With names so evocative of a golden era in British football it is no wonder why the clubs and their fans have been enthralled by notions of playing with with style and class ever since.

Honours lists of the 1970s and 1980s continued to be peppered by the achievements of two of London’s proudest. Except now the men in charge were changing to Keith Burkinshaw and John Lyall, while their squads featured Billy Bonds and Steve Perryman, Trevor …

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