FA CARLING PREMIERSHIP

Teams:-

West Ham ( 1-4-3-2 / reverted to 4-4-2 when I. Pearce was replaced ):- Hislop; Ferdinand; Potts, I. Pearce ( sub Keller, 38), S. Pearce, Minto; Sinclair, Lampard, Foe; Di Canio ( sub Cole, 88 ), Wanchope

Subs not used:- Forrest; Carrick; Kitson

Booked:- Foe, Di Canio

Spurs ( 4-4-1-1 / reverted to 4-4-2 at half time ):- Walker; Carr, Perry, Campbell ( sub Scales, 25 ), Edinburgh; Anderton, Sherwood, Freund, Ginola ( sub, Leonhardsen, 36 ); Dominguez ( sub Ferdinand, 46 ); Iversen

Subs not used:- Baardsen; Taricco

Booked:- Campbell ( first in the book ), Freund ( fancy that ! ), Sherwood ( to be confirmed )

The last time that Spurs beat West Ham was 18 months ago at White Hart lane, and it was Jurgen Klinsmann that scored that goal. Anyone with an ounce of sense in them knows that Spurs are in dire need of such a master craftsman to give them finishing expertise. Most of the assembled talent in the middle of the park was too easily closed down, or harried off the ball in the first half, and whilst the names Minto, Ian Pearce, and Potts do not conjure up the smell of fear, West Ham's workmanlike men did frustrate the visitors. To increase the hurt, it was Frank Lampard who scored the winning goal on the stroke of half-time. Lampard, of course is just one of countless stars associated with transfer speculation to Tottenham over the past 6 months, but he kissed the shirt, and appears to be happy at Upton Park.

Freund, surprisingly made the start, and though he was as determined as ever, he looked stale in the first half, and didn't get rid of the ball early enough. As already suggested, though, Sherwood, and Anderton were also guilty of such errors. Leonhardsen ( wearing number 17 ) made his debut at the start of the second half, at the expense of fans' favourite, Ginola, but the Norwegian did make a good impression, and he and Ferdinand had an impact that could easily have led to an equaliser. Sol Campbell got an early booking for a rash tackle upon Foe, and made an early departure with a knock, possibly sustained in that challenge.

Spurs had a fright almost from the kick-off, when a ball from the left by Di Canio was headed onto the bar by Paulo Wanchope. Both of these players made a nuisance of themselves all afternoon. Spurs followed this with some good passing play featuring Sherwood, Freund, Carr, and Dominguez on the right. Jose's cross went into the danger area, but was not converted.

Di Canio was effective on the right against Edinburgh ( perhaps a surprise first choice today ), but also through the middle. When Spurs got their passes together they did look classy, but it was too little, too rarely. Ginola had one or two shots on goal, and was unlucky, in my view to be substituted. Dominguez worked mainly on the right, and gave Sherwood a chance in the box, but the ex-Blackburn captain could not get enough power into the shot, which was on target.

Sherwood probably had the best of Spurs chances today, with another shot in the first half, and a header in the second, which he scooped well over the target, when he should have scored, having been set up by Ferdinand.

Wanchope forced a good save from Ian Walker, following a Sinclair right wing cross. Freund was unlucky to get booked for handball, having been fouled, and picking up the ball as he tumbled to the ground. By this time, David Elleray was in charge, and he saw things differently. Lampard gave the Spurs defence an early warning of his ability, when he managed to get a shot on target from 20 yards, despite having 6 white shirts around him.

Ian Pearce suffered a nasty knee injury in a collision with his name-sake, and had to be carried off. He is likely to be out for 7 months.

Some of Spurs best chances were following the long cxlearances from Walker. One such ball was headed to Ginola from Iversen, and David beat Hislop, with a chipped cross/shot that fell on top of the net.

Another good break out of defence, led by Sherwood culminated in a chance for Anderton, but his shot was too weak. Then came the killer punch. Di Canio pierced the defence and found Lampard just inside the area. Lampard casually slid the ball past Walker into the left corner to take the lead.

Spurs looked fired up at the start of the second half, and Anderton found Leonhardsen, who pushed the ball back to Ferdinand for a tasty shot from 25 yards. The ball was low and went just wide. shortly, Sherwood provided the ball for Iversen to tee up Leonhardsen, but his shot was held. The game became more scrappy, and it looked like Sherwood got a booking for arguing about the lack of free kick when Leonhardsen was tumbled just outside the area.

Sherwood had to head a cross at full stretch to prevent a goal scoring chance for Wanchope at the other end. Iversen was in collision with Hislop, and may have suffered more than a knock. The TV pictures we received at the lane were appalling, and I heard that Spurs finished with 10 men. I suspect Iversen didn't make it to the finish.

With a quarter of an hour to go, Sherwood's heading chance came and went. Thereafter, Spurs huffed and puffed, but they couldn't blow the Hammer's house down.

Addendum:-

Subsequent newspaper reports confirm that in fact, it was Marc Vivian Foe who got the early header on Spurs' bar; confirm that Sherwood got booked; and indicate that Justin Edinburgh had to leave the field with 20 minutes left on the look. Which all goes to show that there's nothing like "being there"!