James Maddison hauled off at half-time of Tottenham vs West Ham as Postecoglou ‘decides enough is enough’
JAMES MADDISON was hooked off at half-time in a bold tactical switch by Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham were drawing 1-1 with West Ham after the opening 45 minutes when the Spurs boss made the decision.
TNT Sports claimed the move was tactical and commentator Ally McCoist said Maddison had a quiet first-half and the gaffer may have decided “enough is enough”.
The substitution saw Dejan Kulusevski move higher up the pitch, with defensive midfielder Pape Sarr replacing the England star.
Maddison created five chances before the break – three more than the entire West Ham team managed – and he completed more passes than any other player.
He also got the assist for Kulusevski’s goal before he was taken off.
Maddison reappeared and looked glum with his hood up as he sat on the bench.
But the sub proved to be a stroke of genius by Postecoglou as Spurs scored three in the second-half.
They netted them in a rampant eight minutes to go 4-1 up.
Yves Bissoma put Tottenham ahead before Jean-Clair Todibo turned in an unfortunate own goal.
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Son Heung-min on his return from injury then grabbed the fourth.
Fans praised Postecoglou’s game-changing sub, with one saying: “Full credit to the gaffer. Sarr on for Maddison has worked wonders.”
Another added: “A genius substitution.”