Mohammed Kudus made a triumphant return to West Ham with Tottenham Hotspur, scoring no goals but playing a typical game with his usual dribbling skills. The Spurs winger was met with hostility from the home crowd, who booed and jeered him throughout the match. Kudus’ move to Tottenham from West Ham in the summer transfer window was seen as a betrayal by many West Ham fans, especially after he declared his love for Spurs during his unveiling.
The Match
- Tottenham’s Dominance: Spurs won the match 3-0, with West Ham struggling to cope with their opponents’ pace and skill. West Ham’s manager, Graham Potter, was criticized for his team’s lack of leadership and meek surrender.
- Kudus’ Performance: Despite being a key signing for Spurs, Kudus didn’t have a significant impact on the game. He was kept quiet by West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf and failed to score or assist.
Kudus’ Interactions
- Embracing Potter: Before the game, Kudus showed class by running over to Potter to embrace his former boss and salute the West Ham bench. He also shook hands with Lucas Paqueta on the pitch.
- Returning the Stool: After the game, Kudus was seen speaking to West Ham’s backroom staff and thanked them for returning his wooden elephant stool, which he used for celebrations after scoring in West Ham home games ¹.
Reactions
- West Ham Fans: The fans were furious with their team’s performance and Potter’s leadership. They also expressed their disappointment with Kudus’ move to Spurs and his comments about the club.
- Jermain Defoe: The former Tottenham player encouraged Kudus to embrace the hostility from West Ham fans, saying he enjoyed the experience when he returned to his former club ².
