Jose Mourinho picked his first victory in his first game upon return to Premier League after Tottenham survived late West Ham rally to win 3-2.
First-half goals from Son Heung-min and Lucas Moura and a third from Harry Kane four minutes after the break gave Tottenham their first Premier League away win since 20 January.
It was about as comfortable as Mourinho could have hoped for after a tumultuous week, in which he replaced Mauricio Pochettino, who was sacked by Daniel Levy less than six months after guiding the club to the first Champions League final in their history.
West Ham reduced the deficit through substitute Michail Antonio (73) and Angelo Ogbonna headed in a second late on (90+6), but Spurs held on to move up to sixth place ahead of the remaining weekend fixtures.
The game was over as a contest, or so it seemed, but Antonio began the unlikeliest of comebacks when he allowed Mark Noble’s pass to run across his body, losing Toby Alderweireld to strike beyond Paulo Gazzaniga.
West Ham were denied a second when Declan Rice’s close-range finish from Sebastien Haller’s knock-down was ruled out by VAR Andre Marriner.
But the Hammers did find a second in the final minute of stoppage time when Ogbonna headed in Robert Snodgrass’ corner – but it would not deny Mourinho victory on his return to management.
The pressure increases on Hammers manager Manuel Pellegrini, whose side have taken just two points from their last 21 available, and sit 16th.
Mourinho’s Spurs host Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday before his first home league game in charge against Bournemouth four days later. Next Saturday sees West Ham play another London derby when they travel across the capital to Chelsea.
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