Wed 22 December 2021, 22:45
Tottenham HotspurAntonio Conte is hoping Steven Bergwijn’s Man of the Match display in our 2-1 win against West Ham in the Carabao Cup quarter-final proves a springboard for a player he believes can improve further in the second half of the season.
This was the Dutch forward’s seventh start of the campaign, and he provided the catalyst for a hard-earned victory as we took our place in the semi-finals. We were later drawn against Chelsea, with home and away ties to look forward to in January.
Stevie scored the first goal himself, exchanging passes with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg before slotting home from 10 yards. He then turned provider for what turned out to be the winner, Lucas Moura pouncing from close range just two minutes after Jarrod Bowen had levelled for the visitors.
He played a good game, scored and made an assist, he was good but I think he has the potential to improve and to be better
“He played a good game,” said Antonio. “I think he can do much better because he has good qualities, one against one, he’s very fast, but he has to give continuity and also to give me the possibility to be sure, to count on him.
“Tonight, he deserved this chance to play, he played a good game, scored and made an assist, he was good but I think he has the potential to improve and to be better.”
West Ham enjoyed spells of possession after the break but didn’t seriously test the outstanding Hugo Lloris after a fine save at the feet of Bowen on 58 minutes.
Antonio added: “It was a tough game, but we knew this very well, West Ham are a really good team, a strong team, physically. We had chances to score and go 3-1 up, but when you keep the result at 2-1 until the end, you have to be prepared to suffer. We know if we want something, we will have to work together and sometimes to suffer.”
