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West Ham United pulled off a memorable victory against Tottenham Hotspur last season, ending a four-year wait for a win at their London rivals’ ground. Now, manager Julen Lopetegui could look to repeat the feat and secure back-to-back wins in N17 for the first time since 2013. One potential key to achieving that could be the utilisation of long-serving defender Aaron Cresswell, who could prove a crucial weapon in targeting Tottenham’s ongoing struggles with defending set-pieces.

The Hammers have endured a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign, sitting 12th after seven matches, with just two wins and a negative goal difference. Spurs, too, have experienced inconsistent form, and both teams find themselves in need of a result to get their seasons back on track. Given West Ham’s likely defensive stance, they could look to capitalise on Cresswell’s renowned set-piece delivery to cause problems for Tottenham, a side that has proven vulnerable in this department.

Cresswell has been a mainstay at West Ham since joining in 2014, becoming a reliable figure over the course of nearly a decade. The Liverpool-born full-back has made 283 Premier League appearances, contributing 30 assists and 10 goals. His steady performances have coincided with West Ham’s rise to Europa League regulars and their Europa Conference League triumph. However, since the arrival of Emerson Palmieri in 2022, Cresswell has found himself playing a reduced role, making just 11 league appearances last season and only three substitute outings so far this term.

Despite his limited minutes, Cresswell’s quality with the ball remains undeniable. His delivery from set-pieces is a particular strength, and this could prove invaluable against a Tottenham side that has struggled to defend such situations. Ange Postecoglou’s men conceded from a corner during the recent north London derby against Arsenal, with Gabriel Magalhaes heading home to secure a 1-0 win for the Gunners. This was not an isolated incident either, as Tottenham have repeatedly found themselves undone by crosses and corners in recent meetings.

Since Postecoglou’s arrival, Tottenham have conceded 18 goals from set-pieces, excluding penalties, with only Nottingham Forest having allowed more in the same period. According to WhoScored, Spurs’ vulnerability in this area remains unchanged, making them prime targets for West Ham’s aerial threats. The Hammers boast imposing figures like Tomas Soucek, Max Kilman, and Jean-Clair Todibo, all of whom could benefit from the kind of precision delivery Cresswell has provided throughout his career.

Though Emerson has established himself as Lopetegui’s preferred choice at left-back, Cresswell could offer something different against a Tottenham side that continues to falter in defending set-pieces. His experience and delivery from dead-ball situations could make all the difference in a tightly contested London derby, as West Ham look to climb the table and push for a top-half finish. With Cresswell’s ability to create opportunities from set-pieces, the Hammers may well have the key to taking advantage of Tottenham’s defensive frailties and securing a much-needed win.