There has been talk of Callum Wilson wanting his West Ham contract ripped up this month. He came from the bench here to tear up the script and leave Thomas Frank’s future even more uncertain than his own.
For all Tottenham’s hierarchy insist the Dane will not be dismissed, that was not the grim forecast of their supporters in the wake of Wilson’s 93rd-minute winner. ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ chorused the Wall of Sound. It felt like an instruction as much as a prediction.
While the Dane will likely survive this defeat, the writing is on that South Stand wall when it comes to his longer-term prospects. They don’t like the football and they don’t like the manager. The boos that chased him down the tunnel on full-time told you that much, a tide of toxicity that will not wash away any time soon.
‘I’ve had better times,’ said Frank. ‘Yeah, that was not the best time. But I understand I’m the man in charge. The blame goes to me. As long as they’re backing the players.’
Frank could have done with a striker like Wilson in a frenzied match of 38 shots. Of Tottenham’s 21, not one of them came from his striker, Randal Kolo Muani. Wilson, by contrast, needed only two minutes on the pitch to twice find the target, and the second was the winning goal.
The 33-year-old is frustrated by Nuno Espirito Santo’s preference for others, especially given a contract that is incentivised in a pay-as-you-play-type manner. Here, for the first time in a fortnight, Wilson played – and it was Frank who paid.
Thomas Frank’s Tottenham side lost at home against lowly West Ham on Saturday
Spurs’ hierarchy insist the Dane won’t lose his job but the writing is on the wall
‘Every player in the building needs to help us and we need to support them,’ said Nuno, side-stepping the question on Wilson’s future. ‘I’m so happy for him.’
This Desperation Derby had looked like ending in the one outcome that both teams could live with but neither would enjoy, entering stoppage-time at 1-1. But West Ham, sensing that Tottenham’s race was run, mounted one last charge.
Wilson, only just on as a substitute, had the chance to win it when Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross dropped kindly inside the area. He thought that chance had gone when his low blast was blocked in the goalmouth by a sliding Pedro Porro. It felt like an intervention to save his team a point and Frank the home scorn.
Not so. From the resulting corner, and amid the panic of a crowded six-yard area, Wilson pounced to poke in. He and 3,000 happy Hammers celebrated with relief and great relish, but it wast the aggravation of the home crowd most audible of all.
The frustration had been simmering all afternoon. It was to their credit that, during a woeful first half, they waited until the 27th minute before the booing began.
There was ample opportunity to hiss their discontent before Xavi Simons passed the ball straight out of play, but that was the moment their restraint was broken.
Moments earlier, Conor Gallagher had played a short free-kick to the feet of a West Ham player. It being the midfielder’s debut saved him the ignominy of the opening jeers.
Come half-time, and with West Ham deservedly in front thanks to the outstanding Crysencio Summerville’s 15th-minute effort, none of those in white were spared. They were groaning again just after the hour when Frank replaced Mathys Tel with Dominic Solanke.
Callum Wilson scored a late winner for the Hammers on a miserable day for Spurs
Tottenham fans are seen protesting the owners of the club prior to kick-off
The irritation was not because of the player introduced, but the withdrawal of one who had shown some attacking purpose. Within two minutes, and with Frank having reshaped his forward unit, Spurs were level, even if it was two defenders who combined. Pedro Porro crossed from the right and centre back Cristian Romero climbed to score a captain’s goal, a header of ferocity and authority.
Suddenly, from anxiety, there was belief. Yves Bissouma, on at half-time for his first appearance under Frank, offered bite and energy from midfield, and Gallagher belatedly showed the same.
When, in the 84th minute, he bustled into the area, it looked as if his endeavour would be rewarded with a penalty after the ball brushed the hand of defender Oliver Scarles. A VAR review deemed it accidental.
There was a VAR check after Wilson’s goal, too, but that would have been a get-out-of-jail that Spurs and Frank did not warrant. Their unhappy season continues, and the morning will not bring the change supporters wants. For now, at Tottenham, all remains the same.
