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The Jesse Lingard winner put further pressure on his former boss José Mourinho as West Ham United secured a 2-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday.
Goals by Michail Antonio and Lingard in each half affected Spurs’ chances of finishing in the top four for the second consecutive season.
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Lingard spent two and a half years playing with Mourinho at Manchester United before the latter was fired.
Lucas Moura’s goal put Spurs back in the game, but the loss means they are now nine points behind West Ham fourth in the Premier League table.
“I’m really enjoying my football,” Lingard told the BBC after the game. “The boys have taken me very well. Today we had to get the three points and we have shown what we are capable of.
“I’ve been with a trophy winning team at Manchester United and I know about the winning mentality and what that can bring to the team. I came here to play football. Football makes me happy and when we win.”
The hosts opened the scoring in four minutes when the Spurs could not cope with a Jarrod Bowen cross and Antonio was the quickest to react.
The Spurs almost responded immediately after Erik Lamela produced a wonderful solo run to set up Harry Kane, who threw the ball wide.
Spurs’ best equalizing chances came late in the first half, but Lukasz Fabianski denied Lamela and Kane with good saves.
Mourinho brought in Gareth Bale at half-time, but West Ham doubled their lead two minutes after the break when Lingard grabbed onto Pablo Fornals’ pass and crashed the ball into the top corner.
There was a long delay due to a VAR control for offside, but the goal was kept as Lingard celebrated his third goal for the club since his loan out at Old Trafford.
The Spurs returned to the game just after the hour, when Moura scored with a great header from Bale’s corner.
Bale came close to scoring a sensational draw, but his long-range effort rattled the crossbar.
Son Heung-Min almost scored the equalizer in injury time, but his attempt hit the post and West Ham managed to hold the victory.
“It’s disappointing because I think we played well and lost because of our mistakes,” Spurs forward Moura told Sky Sports.
“We worked hard and showed a good effort. We just have to think about the next game now. Something is missing. But we have to look forward. There are many games to play. We need to improve.”
