WATCH | Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur suffer crushing title blow with defeat at West Ham

Tottenham Hotspur’s exhilarating Premier League title surge came to a shuddering halt as they lost 1-0 at West Ham United on Friday to leave Chelsea needing six points from four games to be crowned champions. At the former London Olympic Stadium made famous by the likes of Mo Farah and Usain Bolt, a 10th successive league win for Tottenham would have put them one point behind Chelsea but they stumbled over one of their final hurdles.

Manuel Lanzini’s scruffy 65th-minute goal sparked an East End party, and celebrations over in west London too, as West Ham guaranteed survival with only a second win in 12 games. Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham dominated possession for long periods but never reached the levels that had raised hopes of a first title since 1961. Chelsea can open up a seven-point lead with victory over relegation-threatened Middlesbrough on Monday and would then clinch the title before Tottenham play again if they win at West Bromwich Albion next Friday.

“It is not over. It is true that it will be difficult… to catch Chelsea,” Pochettino told reporters. “Maybe we were a little desperate tonight after they scored. “Today was a key moment and one of those moments where if …read more