Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou praised his much changed side for earning a point at West Ham United while pulling 1-1.
Postecoglou made eight changes from the side that Bodo/Glimt 3-1 defeated in the first leg of their semi-final of the Europa League, with only Guglielmo Vicario, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison.
They took the lead early when Mathys Tel Wilson Odobert set up to score after a defensive decline of Max Kilman, but were linked to Jarrod Bowen's goal before the end of the first half.
Although Tottenham did not win again in the competition, Postecoglou praised his side because he was competitive despite the series of changes.
“It is not easy to make seven or eight changes,” the Australian told BBC Sport.
That will influence fluency and coherence. But for the most part, they really kept their task well.
“Away from home in a derby and I thought the boys were held on to their task. We did not win, but at least we have a result that rewards their efforts.
“I can only praise my boys' effort.”
Ange's response to this afternoon's 1-1 draw in East London pic.twitter.com/dcc7tfbaii
– Tottenham Hotspur (@spursofficial) 4 May 2025
Postecoglou underlined the need for wholescale changes with traces at a moving distance from a European final in the midst of their domestic battle.
“It is something we have been doing for a while because we have done it. We have had a miserable run with injuries – which has still not been taken, to be honest. But with the chance we have for us [in the Europa League]It was logical. “
West Ham head coach Graham Potter was satisfied with the display on his part despite the fact that he went eight games without a victory for the first time since the end of 2017.
Potter believed that West Ham was superior in all departments in the first half, but was disappointed that they could not keep that level for the entire 90 minutes.
He said to BBC Sport: “It was a considerable performance of us. The first half was particularly strong.
“We started on the front foot and were very positive, well printed, printed high. It was a derby, so we wanted to make it that way. Much of what did in the first half was positive.
“I am disappointed in the second half because we could not keep that level of performance.”