EPL: West Ham vs Tottenham (11.25.07)

[bandini]

West Ham host London rivals Tottenham in far better shape than the corresponding fixture last season, when an agonising 4-3 defeat looked to have all but condemned them to relegation.

But the result somehow galvanised Alan Curbishley's side, who went on to win seven of their remaining nine games to pull off one of the greatest of great escapes.

This season, despite a crippling injury list, the Hammers know victory over Spurs would cement their position in the top 10, while the club also have a Carling Cup quarter-final to look forward to.

And a meeting with the north Londoners has a little more spice for former Tottenham player Matthew Etherington, who admits he will always have a point to prove whenever he runs out against his old employers.

``It's a massive game, it doesn't need any hyping up. The fans and the players will all be up for it,'' he said.

``For me personally it's a big game. It's my former club, I didn't have the best of times there and it's always a big game against Tottenham.

``Deep down there is a niggling feeling, whenever I play them I want to do well and to prove a point.''

West Ham have suffered horrendously with injuries this season with new signings Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy, Freddie Ljungberg, Julien Faubert and Kieron Dyer all falling victim to the Upton Park curse.

Parker, Dean Ashton, Mark Noble and Hayden Mullins could all return against Spurs but Bellamy is still struggling with a groin problem which may require surgery, while Lee Bowyer - who would have been suspended anyway - had a hernia operation over the international break.

Bobby Zamora (knee) and Anton Ferdinand (hamstring) are still out but George McCartney has shrugged off an ankle injury and should be available.

The trip to West Ham offers a chance to get further away from the relegation zone for Tottenham and boss Juande Ramos is hopeful of maintaining his unbeaten record so far at Spurs.

The win against Wigan last time out was the first league victory in almost three months.

``It was a big win and we have to build on it,'' said centre-back Michael Dawson.

``Hopefully we can go into the West Ham game full of confidence.''

Steed Malbranque has an ankle injury and the game may come too soon for Gareth Bale even though he has been back in training from a foot injury.

It means Kevin-Prince Boateng could be given a chance in midfield in what would be his fourth appearance since arriving from German club Hertha Berlin.

source: ESPNsoccernet - England - West Ham v Tottenham Preview

[Huckerbys right foot]

Green saves a injury time Penalty


he wasn't exactly the best penalty saver in the world when he was with us

i think hes only ever saved 2 in his career?


Full Time 1-1 it was by the way

[bandini]

Damn it. Would have been nice to get the 3 points, but at least the results have turned around. I think Ramos is also still getting a feel for the boys and what they have to offer.

[kyan]

The ref was terrible but the Spurs defence was worse...

Ramos has had a very easy run of fixures so far in his tenure so he shouldn't really have lost any games but it's only gonna get harder for him.

Although the injury problems are beginning to clear up it seems.

[Super Pibe #7]

Originally Posted by kyan

The ref was terrible but the Spurs defence was worse...

haha yep kaboul thought he had all the time in the world lol. He is great young defender, but he stalls on the ball a bit too much.

Ref was pretty bad. How was the robbie keane foul not a penalty ? I couldn't really see the contact, but who on earth would fall down in that position.