Ferdinand sinks Hammers

Ferdinand proved a handful for the Hammers' defence

West Ham 0-1 Tottenham

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Tottenham striker Les Ferdinand scored the only goal in what proved to be a frustrating afternoon for West Ham at Upton Park.

Ferdinand reacted quickest in the Hammers' penalty area after David James had tipped Gustavo Poyet's header onto the post.

And it was only thanks to the intervention of the woodwork that Spurs were denied further goals, with Teddy Sheringham seeing two efforts rebound to safety.

The home side's misery was compounded when Steve Lomas, back in action for the first time in nine months, suffered a broken toe which keep him out for six weeks.

  Goal

50 mins: Les Ferdinand scores from close range

West Ham boss Glenn Roeder was forced to reshuffle his pack, with Paolo di Canio, Michael Carrick and Frederic Kanoute all missing through injury.

Their absence meant Jermain Defoe was given his first Premiership start alongside Monday's hat-trick hero Paul Kitson.

And keeper James, injured playing for England in August, made his long-awaited debut for the Hammers following his summer move from Aston Villa.

It was a good performance without being anything special

Spurs boss Glenn Hoddle

The game started at a frenetic pace, and West Ham's new-look attack - Defoe and Kitson - combined well after five minutes to create the first real shooting opportunity.

Both sides were keen to play good football, sometimes at the expense of any real penetration up front.

Joe Cole, visibly enjoying his return to action, was West Ham's creative force, while Spurs' Ferdinand and Sheringham proved a handful for the Hammers defence.

Poyet bravery

As the first half progressed, neither side could claim to be in charge of proceedings, with chances few and far between.

I knew we faced a very good Tottenham team in full flow

Hammers boss Glenn Roeder

Defoe thought he should have had a penalty when he went down under a Darren Anderton challenge after 38 minutes, but referee David Elleray waved play on.

The dying seconds featured the highlight of the first 45 minutes when Sheringham suddenly found himself in space in the Hammers box.

But his fierce shot from 14 yards crashed against the crossbar.

Defoe felt he should have had a penalty

That let-off should have served as a warning for the home side as Spurs finished the half in the ascendancy.

However, the Hammers' defence was quickly breached after the restart - thanks in no small part to the bravery of Poyet.

Ferdinand scored with an easy tap-in after James had tipped the Uruguayan's brave header onto the post.

Poyet was left dazed following an accidental collision with Trevor Sinclair in the area and had to leave the pitch suffering from concussion.

His replacement, Oyvind Leonhardsen, almost doubled Spurs' advantage within minutes of coming on.

But his shot struck the post to the relief of the Upton Park faithful.

Sheringham was denied once again by the woodwork as Spurs exerted almost total authority for the remainder of the game.

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West Ham: James, Schemmel, Repka, Dailly, Minto, Sinclair, Lomas, Hutchison, Cole, Kitson, Defoe. Subs: Hislop, Foxe, Courtois, Moncur, Todorov.

Tottenham: Sullivan, Perry, King, Richards, Ziege, Poyet, Anderton, Freund, Davies, Ferdinand, Sheringham. Subs: Beasant, Bunjevcevic, Rebrov, Leonhardsen, Thelwell.

Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).