Watch Tottenham vs West Ham on Tuesday from 8pm live on Sky Sports Premier League; kick-off 8.15pm
Tuesday 23 June 2020 21:49, UK
Michail Antonio says West Ham do not fear Tottenham who no longer look like a ‘free-flowing, attacking team.’
After Saturday's 2-0 loss to Wolves, West Ham need points as they travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday night, live on Sky Sports, with just goal difference separating them from a place in the drop zone.
The Hammers are unbeaten in their last three matches away to their London rivals, with Antonio scoring the game's only goal in the same fixture last season to become the first away team player to score at Tottenham's new stadium.
Tottenham welcomed back Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son for their 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Friday night but Antonio says he will not be paying any special attention to the pair on Tuesday night.
"It's a fresh start again for us, we go again and Tottenham are a team we normally get some good results against," the West Ham forward told Sky Sports News.
"One thing I noticed [from their draw against United] is that they are not that free-flowing, attacking team they used to be. They sat back quite a bit and played more on the counter.
"And the next thing is that as much as Harry Kane and Son are quality players - I feel like every team has got those quality players.
"So, we can't really concentrate on them being back, or anything like that, we have just got to be able to deal with it on the day.
"We've played there [at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium] once and we've got a 100 per cent record, so hopefully we can keep that 100 per cent record going."
Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, responded with an impassioned defence of his influence on strikers amid criticism that his playing style will not bring out the best of Harry Kane at Tottenham.
Paul Merson told Soccer Saturday he does not see Kane getting "25-30 goals next season" under Mourinho's stewardship.
"I feel a bit strange about some analysis and some comments. The beginning of some comments and analysis started from Paul [Merson]," said Mourinho ahead of the visit of West Ham.
"First of all, Harry played his first game for six months and if you watch the game and you analyse the game, compare Harry Kane with Anthony Martial.
"Was it a game of many chances? Was it a game where the two strikers had a lot of chances? Do you give credit to my defence for Martial's game? Do you give credit to United's defence and for the occasions we created or we didn't create?
"I think you have to look at it in a balanced approach."
Mourinho also insisted Kane, who scored seven goals in 10 appearances prior to suffering a torn hamstring on New Year's Day, would have "no problems" to be effective, listing the scoring records of his previous strikers - including Didier Drogba and Karim Benzema - during his managerial career.
David Moyes feels Declan Rice is not only West Ham's best midfielder - he is probably their best centre-half as well.
England international Rice began his career in defence but has been a mainstay of the Hammers' midfield since breaking into the team two seasons ago.
The 21-year-old had to slot back into his old position against Wolves on Saturday following an injury to Angelo Ogbonna, and his composed display was one of very few bright spots in the 2-0 defeat.
Ogbonna is battling to be fit for the London derby against Tottenham, but Moyes may be tempted to stick with Rice regardless.
"Declan could arguably be my best centre-half and best midfielder so we have to try and see what we have got, who is fit and available and use him the best we can," said the Hammers boss.
"We know he can give us something else in midfield, but he showed he is also defensively sound when he goes into the backline.
"He has improved so much, so going forward for himself and for us it is a great thing to have."
Sky Sports are broadcasting 64 live Premier League games for the 2019/20 season resumption. In addition to the 39 matches already scheduled to be broadcast exclusively live on Sky Sports before the coronavirus interruption, 25 more matches are being broadcast on both Sky Sports Premier League and Sky's free-to-air Pick channel, allowing the whole nation to be part of the return of live sport.
To celebrate the return of the Premier League, Sky Sports have also launched a host of innovative new features and updates to give fans an even more immersive experience and share the moments live with family and friends on virtual platforms.
