Thursday 26 October 2017 13:10, UK
Toby Alderweireld admitted losing 3-2 to West Ham after being 2-0 in front was a reality check for Tottenham.
Spurs, who face Manchester United on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Premier League, were unbeaten in 11 games before the defeat.
They looked on course to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night at Wembley after goals from Moussa Sissoko and Dele Alli gave them a 2-0 lead at half-time.
However, three goals in 15 minutes in the second half for the Hammers, including two from Andre Ayew, sealed a win and quarter-final spot.
Alderweireld said: "We were not flying or anything in our heads, but I think it's a good reality check that you still need to work very hard, even if you're 2-0 up, to get results."
"You have to keep the level up because if you drop it a little bit you see what happens. It's a good thing to learn.
"Of course we'd love to have won, but we don't have to be too dramatic about it. Next time we have to do better, and we focus on Saturday."
Tottenham face Manchester United on Saturday at Old Trafford and both teams sit behind Premier League leaders Manchester City on equal points.
