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West Ham 2 Tottenham 3: match report – Gareth Bale scores winner

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West Ham 2 Tottenham 3: Brilliant Bale hits last-gasp stunner to hand Spurs all three points

PUBLISHED:

21:54 GMT, 25 February 2013

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UPDATED:

22:16 GMT, 25 February 2013

Gareth Bale scored another stunning goal to ensure Tottenham left Upton Park with all three points.

Jussi Jaaskelainen appeared to have kept the Hammers on terms after some remarkable second-half saves, but the Welshman carried the ball to the edge of the box in the 90th minute before letting fly with an unstoppable curling shot, notching up his ninth goal in seven games for club and country.

Bale had opened the scoring before Andy Carroll equalised from the spot. Joe Cole put the hosts ahead, but Gylfi Sigurdsson put Andre Villas-Boas' side back in the game, making things 2-2 with his close-range effort 14 minutes from time.

Unbelievable: Gareth Bale rushes to the bench after scoring his stunning match-winning goal

Unbelievable: Gareth Bale rushes to the bench after scoring his stunning match-winning goal

Unstoppable: Gareth Bale lets fly late in the day to clinch the match for Tottenham

Unstoppable: Gareth Bale lets fly late in the day to clinch the match for Tottenham


No chance: Bale's strike flew over West Ham's defenders before hitting the back of the net

No chance: Bale's strike flew over West Ham's defenders before hitting the back of the net

Too much space Hammers defenders stood off the Welshman, allowing him to aim his killer blow

Too much space Hammers defenders stood off the Welshman, allowing him to aim his killer blow

MATCH FACTS

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Reid, O'Brien, Collins, Demel (Pogatetz 72), Nolan (Taylor 35), Jarvis, Diame, J Cole, O'Neil, Carroll

Subs not used: Spiegel, Collison, Taylor, C Cole, Vaz Te, Chamakh

Goals: Carroll 25 (pen), J Cole 58

Booked: Diame, J Cole, O'Neill, Collins

Tottenham: Lloris, Vertonghen, Dawson, Walker, Caulker, Lennon, Parker (Livermore 88), Bale, Holtby (Sigurdsson 56), Adebayor, Dembele (Carroll 75)

Subs not used: Friedel, Gallas, Naughton, Assou-Ekotto, Sigurdsson

Goal: Bale 13, 90 Sigurdsson 76

Booked: Dembele

Referee: Howard Webb

Attendance: 35,005

More to follow…

Come here you! Bale hugged his manager Andre Villas-Boas (right) after scoring his second goal

Come here you! Bale hugged his manager Andre Villas-Boas (right) after scoring his second goal

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Carnage: Gylfi Sigurdsson popped up in the box to score Tottenham's equaliser against West Ham

Carnage: Gylfi Sigurdsson popped up in the box to score Tottenham's equaliser against West Ham

Main man: Gareth Bale scored Tottenham's first goal after just 13 minutes

Main man: Gareth Bale scored Tottenham's first goal after just 13 minutes

In front: Joe Cole put West Ham in the lead after latching on to a long ball

In front: Joe Cole put West Ham in the lead after latching on to a long ball

Just about: Cole hit his shot into the floor as Hugo Lloris (right) was wrong-footed

Just about: Cole hit his shot into the floor as Hugo Lloris (right) was wrong-footed

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In it goes: Gareth Bale opened the scoring for the visitors

In it goes: Gareth Bale opened the scoring for the visitors

No mistake: Andy Carroll fired his shot home from the spot to equalise

No mistake: Andy Carroll fired his shot home from the spot to equalise

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Putting the boot in: Carroll was brought down by Scott Parker (left)

Putting the boot in: Carroll was brought down by Scott Parker (left)

On fire: Jussi Jaaskelainen (centre) made a number of saves to keep West Ham in the game

On fire: Jussi Jaaskelainen (centre) made a number of saves to keep West Ham in the game

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Nice try: Bale tries a bicycle kick, to no avail

Nice try: Bale tries a bicycle kick, to no avail

Game for a laugh: Sam Allardyce (left) and Andre Villas-Boas embrace before the match

Game for a laugh: Sam Allardyce (left) and Andre Villas-Boas embrace before the match

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Tussle: Aaron Lennon (right) tries to resist the challenge of Matt Jarvis

Tussle: Aaron Lennon (right) tries to resist the challenge of Matt Jarvis

Flying the flag: Moore's Poppy (left) Freddie (centre) and Ava (right) led the two teams out

Flying the flag: Moore's Poppy (left) Freddie (centre) and Ava (right) led the two teams out

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Appreciation: The players gathered round the centre circle to mark the 20th anniversary of Bobby Moore's death

Appreciation: The players gathered round the centre circle to mark the 20th anniversary of Bobby Moore's death

Icon: Fans held up posters to make a mosaic which read: MOORE 6

Icon: Fans held up posters to make a mosaic which read: MOORE 6

In memory: Posters were stuck to fans' seats for supporters to lift to pay their respects

In memory: Posters were stuck to fans' seats for supporters to lift to pay their respects

Respect: Tributes to West Ham legend Moore were pinned to the gate outside Upton Park

Respect: Tributes to West Ham legend Moore were pinned to the gate outside Upton Park

Reading 1 West Ham 0 – match report

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Reading 1 West Ham 0: Pogrebnyak's early strike is enough as Royals earn three crucial points in relegation battle

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UPDATED:

17:04 GMT, 29 December 2012

Pavel Pogrebnyak struck his third league goal for Reading to give Brian McDermott's side their second Barclays Premier League win of the season at the expense of West Ham.

The Royals had halted a run of seven defeats with a draw at home to Swansea on Boxing Day and went one better against a poor Hammers side, moving three points clear of bottom club QPR in the process.

McDermott had said before the game that his players would do whatever they had to do to start picking up victories.

Celebration time: Pavel Pogrebnyak marks his goal after five minutes which gave Reading the lead at the Madejski Stadium

Celebration time: Pavel Pogrebnyak marks his goal after five minutes which gave Reading the lead at the Madejski Stadium

MATCH FACTS

Reading: Federici, Gunter, Pearce, Mariappa, Harte, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Kebe (Robson-Kanu 74), Guthrie (Hunt 64), Pogrebnyak

Subs not used: Taylor, Morrison, Cummings, Tabb, Le Fondre

Goal: Pogrebnyak 5

Bookings: Pogrebnyak, Pearce, Harte

West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Reid, Tomkins, O'Brien, Collins, Nolan, Jarvis, Taylor (Collison 53), Noble (Maiga 78), O'Neil (Vaz Te 66), Cole

Subs not used: Spiegel, Demel, Spence, Diarra

Bookings: Collins, Noble, Nolan, Tomkins

Referee: Michael Oliver

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As it turns out they had to do almost
nothing to beat a lacklustre West Ham as James Collins presented
Pogrebnyak with a late Christmas gift.

The Hammers defender looked to play a
simple ball back to goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen and Pogrebnyak stole
in to slot past the Finn and put Reading ahead with just five minutes on
the clock.

Royals' winger Jimmy Kebe was causing
problems down the right flank early on and a 14th minute cut-back almost
found Pogrebnyak but was well cleared.

Two minutes later the same duo combined well on the edge of the area but Kebe's final ball drifted behind for a goal-kick.

West Ham struggled to make an
impression in attack but skipper Kevin Nolan released Matt Taylor just
before the half-hour mark, but his cross was collected by Reading
goalkeeper Adam Federici.

A few tough tackles started flying in
as the first half progressed with Pogrebnyak joining West Ham's Mark
Noble in referee Michael Oliver's notebook for a foul on Winston Reid.

The hosts then gifted West Ham a
half-chance in the final seconds of the first half as they dallied on
the ball outside their own penalty area.

Nolan pounced and found Gary O'Neil, but he appeared to be caught in two minds and his final ball was neither a shot or a cross.

Cool finish: Pavel Pogrebnyak opens the scoring for Reading following a poor back pass by West Ham's James Collins

Cool finish: Pavel Pogrebnyak opens the scoring for Reading following a poor back pass by West Ham's James Collins

Dejection: West Ham defender James Collins after his weak backpass gifted Reading's Pogrebnyak the opening goal on five minutes

Dejection: West Ham defender James Collins after his weak backpass gifted Reading's Pogrebnyak the opening goal on five minutes

Pogrebnyak had the ball in the back of
the net again five minutes after the restart but was flagged offside
after latching onto a through ball from Mikele Leigertwood.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce introduced
Jack Collison in place of the ineffectual Taylor with 54 minutes gone
with the Wales international making only his second appearance since
returning from a career-threatening knee injury.

The 24-year-old almost drew the
visitors level 10 minutes later but his low shot was parried by Federici
with no West Ham player able to tap home the rebound.

Although the Hammers were starting to
finally find their feet in the game they almost fell further behind when
Jem Karacan's thunderous effort was tipped onto the bar by Jaaskelainen
with Kebe firing the rebound into the crowd.

Scrap: West Ham's Winston Reid (left) and Reading's Pavel Pogrebnyak battle for the ball

Scrap: West Ham's Winston Reid (left) and Reading's Pavel Pogrebnyak battle for the ball

Eyes on the ball: Gary O'Neill (right) and Danny Guthrie keep a close watch

Eyes on the ball: Gary O'Neill (right) and Danny Guthrie keep a close watch

Ricardo Vaz Te was the next player to
be thrown on by Allardyce with the Portuguese returning to first-team
action for the first time since dislocating a shoulder in early October.

The winger had impressed earlier in
the campaign and flashed a cross in with 10 minutes remaining that was
hacked clear by Chris Gunter in front of the sliding Modibo Maiga.

Vaz Te was involved again moments
later as he missed West Ham's best opening of the game, inexplicably
heading Matt Jarvis' cross wide of the goal from four yards out.

How did he miss West Ham's Ricardo Vaz Te (bottom left) reacts with incredulity after missing an easy header

How did he miss West Ham's Ricardo Vaz Te (bottom left) reacts with incredulity after missing an easy header

Firm grip: Winston Reid with his arm around Reading's Jimmy Kebe

Firm grip: Winston Reid with his arm around Reading's Jimmy Kebe

Touchline battle: Sam Allardyce implores his West Ham players on, while Brian McDermott keeps a close check on proceedings

Touchline battle: Sam Allardyce implores his West Ham players on, while Brian McDermott keeps a close check on proceedings

Reading managed to see out the closing
stages to claim what could be a vital three points while West Ham's
lack of away goals again proved their undoing.

The Hammers have only scored five
goals on their travels in the league so far this season and the defeat
leaves them only six points off the bottom three.

Sam Allardyce and David Moyes both set to appeal red cards from referee Taylor

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Allardyce and Moyes both set to appeal red cards from pantomime villain Taylor

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UPDATED:

19:32 GMT, 22 December 2012

Sam Allardyce and David Moyes were
united in their condemnation of referee Anthony Taylor after he
controversially sent off one player from both sides in Everton's 2-1
Barclays Premier League win at West Ham.

Taylor was the pantomime villain at
Upton Park in each club's final game before Christmas, showing needless
red cards to both Hammers striker Carlton Cole and Toffees midfielder
Darron Gibson.

Controversy: West Ham's Carlton Cole (L) was sent off for this challenge on Everton's Leighton Baines

Controversy: West Ham's Carlton Cole (L) was sent off for this challenge on Everton's Leighton Baines

Controversy: West Ham captain Kevin Nolan (C) appeals to match referee Anthony Taylor as he sends off Carlton Cole

Match facts

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Tomkins, Collins, Reid, O'Brien (Spence 81), Noble, O'Neil (Maiga 58), Taylor, Nolan, Jarvis (Collison 88), Cole.Subs Not Used: Spiegel, Diarra, Moncur, Lletget.

Sent Off: Cole (67).

Booked: Maiga.

Goals: Cole 14.

Everton: Howard, Heitinga, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Osman, Gibson, Neville (Naismith 85), Pienaar (Oviedo 88), Jelavic, Anichebe (Duffy 90). Subs Not Used: Mucha, Hitzlsperger, Barkley, Vellios.

Sent Off: Gibson (90).

Goals: Anichebe 64, Pienaar 73.

Att: 35,005

Ref: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire).

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Both were sent off for dangerous play after catching opponents while raising their legs in respective attempts to control and win the ball.
West Ham boss Allardyce and opposite number Moyes each confronted Taylor after the final whistle, confirming they would appeal the dismissals.

Allardyce accused Taylor of being trigger-happy, saying: 'It is how quickly the referee got the red card out, he couldn't wait, he didn't deliberate over the decision or anything.

'There is nothing much we can do about the result but we can appeal the decision and hopefully we can get Carlton down to a yellow card and get him off.'

Moyes added: 'I will appeal it.

'I'll have a word with Sam as well, because I don't think you could put the word frivolous next to that appeal.

'Because I think you would say there was genuine reason why maybe you could appeal that.

'Now, you don't want to go and appeal and find out that maybe you get an extra game on it. That's what you don't want to do.'

Allardyce was planning more than an appeal, however.

'I spoke to the ref but that is between me and him,' he said.

'We will go through the channels of 'reporting' that the system has in place and I will take that up and pursue it quite vigorously.

'If he is not getting the right feedback or coaching and is told it was okay and 'Carry on' then we have got a big problem.'

Off you go: Everton's Darron Gibson was sent off for fouling West Ham's Mark Noble

Off you go: Everton's Darron Gibson was sent off for fouling West Ham's Mark Noble

Fuming: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce sees red after Carlton Cole is sent off

Fuming: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce sees red after Carlton Cole is sent off

West Brom 0 West Ham 0: Match report

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West Brom 0 West Ham 0: Baggies and Hammers serve up laborious bore draw

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UPDATED:

18:21 GMT, 16 December 2012

James Morrison was twice denied by the woodwork but West Brom failed to score for a third successive game in a dire stalemate with West Ham.

The Baggies at least had the consolation of ending a run of three successive defeats and maintained their place in the top six.

But Sam Allardyce's side were worth a share of the spoils in a game which seldom moved out of second gear.

Tussle: Mark Noble (right) vies for the ball with West Bromwich Albion's Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Gera

Tussle: Mark Noble (right) vies for the ball with West Bromwich Albion's Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Gera

Match facts

West Brom: Myhill, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Popov, Brunt, Morrison, Mulumbu, Gera (Lukaku 75), Odemwingie, Long (Rosenberg 83).

Subs: Daniels, Dorrans, Lukaku, Dawson, Tamas, Fortune.

Booked: Jones, Mulumbu, Olsson.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel (Tomkins 81), Reid, Collins, O'Brien, Noble, O'Neil, Jarvis (Maiga 76), Nolan, Taylor, Cole.

Subs: Spiegel, Spence, Moncur, Lletget.

Booked: O'Brien, Tomkins, Nolan.

Attendance: 24,186.

Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).

Morrison posed Albion's most creative threat despite operating in a deeper role in the absence of the injured Claudio Yacob.

But the Hammers showed plenty of resilience with central defender James Collins a rock solid performer.

The home players wore black armbands in tribute to long-serving club masseur Derrick Jones who died earlier this week.

West Ham were only able to field six
substitutes due to their current injury crisis after Mohamed Diame was
ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Albion made a promising start but the
first semblance of a chance fell to the visitors with Mark Noble
heading a deep cross from Carlton Cole over the bar.

West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie
was on target with a low 25-yard drive although Jussi Jaaskelainen got
his body behind the ball.

Hotly contested: Billy Jones (left) tries to beat Matt Jarvis to the ball

Hotly contested: Billy Jones (left) tries to beat Matt Jarvis to the ball

A rare attempt: Cole tries to find the net but his effort is snuffled out

A rare attempt: Cole tries to find the net but his effort is snuffled out

Pile up: Carlton Cole tries to keep the ball away from Jonas Olsson (behind) and Gareth McAuley

Pile up: Carlton Cole tries to keep the ball away from Jonas Olsson (behind) and Gareth McAuley

But there was little goalmouth action
in the opening quarter of the game as both sides struggled to find a
creative spark although Morrison ventured forward to fire a low shot
past the post.

Shane Long created space for himself
on the edge of the Hammers' box after turning past Noble but dragged his
drive into the side-netting.

Joey O'Brien became the first player
to be yellow carded after half an hour for a touch-line challenge on
Baggies midfielder Zoltan Gera.

Chris Brunt drilled a long-range
attempt into the hands of Jaaskelainen before Winston Reid spurned a
gilt-edged chance for West Ham.

Collins headed a Noble corner back into the danger area and Reid volleyed over the bar.

Carlton Cole stung the palms of
Albion keeper Boaz Myhill with a 30-yard drive but it was Albion who
started the second period on the offensive and Morrison's hooked volley
struck the top of the bar.

Then the Scottish international
sliced his shot wide after Gareth McAuley had headed a fourth successive
corner from Brunt into his path.

High flying: Steve Clarke's West Brom have performed well this season

High flying: Steve Clarke's West Brom have performed well this season

Tracking: Shane Long tries to escape the attention of Noble

Tracking: Shane Long tries to escape the attention of Noble

Reid got into another good position to attack an inswinging corner from Noble but could not keep down his near-post header.

Jaaskelainen failed to hold onto a powerful attempt from Gera but Long could not take advantage of the rebound.

Reid produced a vital clearance to turn a low Odemwingie centre over his own bar under pressure from Long.

But West Ham looked dangerous on the counter-attack and Joey O'Brien volleyed over at full stretch from a deep Noble free-kick.

Morrison struck the bar for the second time with 17 minutes remaining with a header from Brunt's corner.

Youssouf Mulumbu, Kevin Nolan and
Hammers substitute James Tomkins were all booked in quick succession by
referee Phil Dowd in the final stages of the game.

Cole nearly made the breakthrough in
the final seconds when his snap shot had Myhill scrambling across his
line to save at the foot of a post but a draw was a fair outcome.

Sam Allardyce

Gera challenges O'Brien

Waiting for action: Sam Allardyce (left) oversaw a very tight first half in which neither side made many openings

West Ham fan in a Santa beard

West Brom fan in a chicken hat

Bored This West Ham fan made his own fun by wearing a Santa beard, while he found a rival in this West Brom fan (right), who decided to wear a less seasonal piece of headwear

Paul Robinson to reunite with Sam Allardyce at Upton Park

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Keeper Robinson set to reunite with Allardyce at Upton Park

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UPDATED:

23:07 GMT, 1 December 2012

Former England goalkeeper Paul
Robinson is set for a reunion with Sam Allardyce by returning to the
Premier League with West Ham in January.

Hammers boss Allardyce, who worked
with Robinson when he was manager at Blackburn Rovers, is set to beat
off competition from Fulham to land 33-year-old Robinson who will be
allowed to leave Ewood Park once Rovers tie up a 500,000 deal for
Tottenham's Brad Friedel.

Robinson, England's first-choice
goalkeeper at the 2006 World Cup goalkeeper in Germany, will provide
competition at Upton Park for Jussi Jaaskelainen, 37, who has shown
recent signs of fallability.

Bad times: Paul Robinson after relegation was confirmed for Blackburn

Bad times: Paul Robinson after relegation was confirmed for Blackburn

Robinson has been waiting for a chance to return to the Premier League after being relegated with Rovers last season.

Fulham are seeking a replacement for veteran Mark Schwarzer but Allardyce is firmly in pole position having worked well with Robinson in the past.

Tottenham knocked back a request from Blackburn to sign Friedel on loan last week but the veteran American is likely to push for a move in January as his first-team opportunities at White Hart Lane get harder following the arrival of French No1 Hugo Lloris.

Blackburn will give 41-year-old Friedel a coaching role at the club in addition to regular first-team football until their England under-20 international Jake Kean is ready to take the step up.

Robinson has been at the top of English football for nearly 15 years after coming to prominence at Leeds United where he faced Barcelona in the Champions League as a tenager.

Looking for cover: West Ham boss Sam Allardyce

Looking for cover: West Ham boss Sam Allardyce

He went on to play for Spurs and Blackburn and won 41 England caps, keeping David James out of the side when Sven Goran Eriksson was manager.

Two other international goalkeepers could also be on the move next month. Norway No1 Rune Jarstein, who could be in goal for his country at the next World Cup in Brazil, is close to securing a deal with Steve Bruce to join Hull City.

And Aston Villa's Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given is on a list of players that manager Paul Lambert is willing to sell to reduce the wage bill at Villa Park.

Given retired from international football after Euro 2012 to concentrate on his club football but has since been replaced in the Villa team by Brad Guzan.

Lambert is looking to rebuild Villa and will also listen to offers for Richard Dunne, Stephen Warnock, Darren Bent and Charles N'Zogbia.

West Ham 3 Chelsea 1 match report: Carlton Cole, Mohamed Diame and Modibo Maiga heap pressure on Rafa Benitez

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West Ham 3 Chelsea 1: Rafa's revolution in tatters as Blues' winless steak extends to seven games

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UPDATED:

15:09 GMT, 1 December 2012

Rafael Benitez's Chelsea nightmare continued as West Ham hit back to inflict his first defeat in charge and extend his winless start as interim manager.

Already the first boss of the Roman Abramovich era not to oversee a victory in his opening two games under the Russian, it got worse for Benitez at Upton Park this afternoon as the Blues made it seven Barclays Premier League games without maximum points.

Juan Mata appeared to ease the pressure on the former Liverpool boss by ending the European champions' five-hour, 34-minute goal drought after 13 minutes.

Sealing the deal: Modibo Maiga ensures the three points for West Ham

Sealing the deal: Modibo Maiga ensures the three points for West Ham

At full stretch: Rafa Benitez has claimed just two points from a possible nine

At full stretch: Rafa Benitez has claimed just two points from a possible nine

Match facts

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien, Tomkins (Taylor, 46), Noble, O'Neil (Diame 46), Nolan, Jarvis, Cole (Maiga 87). Subs not used: Spiegel, Spence, Fanimo, Moncur.

Booked: Noble.

Goal: Cole 63, Diame 86, Maiga 90+1.

Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Moses (Marin 78), Hazard (Oscar 73), Mata, Torres. Subs not used: Turnbull, Ferreira, Bertrand, Romeu, Piazon.

Booked: Cech, Mikel.

Goal: Mata 13.

Referee: Martin Atkinson.

Attendance: 35,005.

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But the visitors squandered several
chances to score again and were deservedly made to pay through a
controversial Carlton Cole equaliser and goals from substitutes Mohamed
Diame and Modibo Maiga.

West Ham fans taunted Benitez with,
'You're getting sacked in the morning', while the torrent of abuse from
Chelsea supporters also continued.

There were early warning signs for
Chelsea today, with a defence reshaped by David Luiz's suspension
failing its first real test in the 10th minute when a straight free-kick
from James Collins sailed over everyone to Winston Reid, whose header
across goal was scrambled to safety by Cesar Azpilicueta.

Fernando Torres was dropping into
midfield to get involved with mixed results but it was the return of his
striking instincts that helped Chelsea end their longest goal drought
of the Abramovich era.
The Spaniard burst in behind onto Victor Moses' 13th-minute through ball
and coolly cut it back for Mata to sidefoot home easily,

Benitez kept his promise not to
celebrate the first goal of his reign, which did not spare him chants of
'One Di Matteo' and 'You're not welcome here' from the visiting fans,
along with the ubiquitous 'Rafa Out' banner.

On a run: West Ham won against Chelsea for the first time since 2003

On a run: West Ham won against Chelsea for the first time in the Premier League since 2003

In the ascendancy: Mohamed Diame blasts West Ham's second of the game

In the ascendancy: Mohamed Diame blasts West Ham's second of the game

Chelsea should have given their
supporters something else to cheer about, Moses horribly mis-hitting his
20th-minute finish from Ramires' pass.

And after Carlton Cole – in for the
injured Andy Carroll – saw a shot blocked, Ramires and Torres blew a
four-on-two break, the latter skying his finish to spark the inevitable
“What a waste of money” chants.

West Ham were also causing problems
and thought they had equalised in the 33rd minute through Kevin Nolan's
close-range overhead kick but referee Martin Atkinson controversially
chalked it off for a push.

Happy Hammers: Players mob Carlton Cole after he came back to haunt his former club

Happy Hammers: Players mob Carlton Cole after he came back to haunt his former club

Lean on me: Carlton Cole fends off Branislav Ivanovic to nod West Ham level

Lean on me: Carlton Cole fends off Branislav Ivanovic to nod West Ham level

Mata could have made it 2-0 in the
40th minute when he fired Moses' cutback too close to Jussi Jaaskelainen
and saw his follow-up blocked by Joey O'Brien.

The home side had the final attempt
of the first half when Petr Cech was booked for punching the ball clear
outside his area the goalkeeper redeeming himself by tipping Nolan's
header over the bar from the resultant free-kick.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce had seen
enough by the break, sending on Matt Taylor and Diame for James Tomkins
and Gary O'Neil after what could only have been a half-time roasting.

No mistake: Juan Mata beats Jussi Jaaskelainen from close range to put the visitors ahead

No mistake: Juan Mata beats Jussi Jaaskelainen from close range to put the visitors ahead

Pointing the way: Juan Mata fired Chelsea ahead after 13 minutes

Pointing the way: Juan Mata fired Chelsea ahead after 13 minutes

Both had the desired effect, Carlton
Cole's header from just inside the box sailing over before he got in the
way of Diame's effort.

Chelsea's defending became more
desperate, Branislav Ivanovic getting a vital touch to prevent Carlton
Cole turning in Nolan's pass after Cech went AWOL.

An equaliser looked only a matter of time and it arrived in the 63rd minute in controversial fashion.
Matt Jarvis' cross looped up off Azpilicueta and Carlton Cole climbed
all over Ivanovic to nod it in, Chelsea's protests only resulting in a
booking for John Mikel Obi.

Celebration time: Victor Moses joins Fernando Torres and Juan Mata after the latter's goa

Celebration time: Victor Moses joins Fernando Torres and Juan Mata after the latter's goa

Mayhem ensued and Jarvis tested Cech
before the visitors surged down the other end, Torres scuffing a
glorious rebound chance straight at Jaaskelainen after the keeper saved
from Eden Hazard.

Mark Noble was booked for clattering
into Ramires and Mata almost added further punishment when he hit the
inside of the post with a brilliant free-kick.

Moses appealed in vain for a penalty
under Taylor's challenge and Hazard failed to chip Jaaskelainen after
the keeper threw the ball straight to him.

The drought goes on: Fernando Torres was once again a shadow of his former self

The drought goes on: Fernando Torres was once again a shadow of his former self

Oscar immediately replaced the Belgian but West Ham were still on top and Moses soon departed for Marko Marin.

Although Chelsea enjoyed some pressure, they were almost undone when Noble sent Jarvis clear and Cech came to the rescue again.

Ashley Cole did likewise from the resultant corner, nodding Reid's header off the line but West Ham were not to be denied.

Caught out: Petr Cech reacts to his yellow card after handling outside the area

Caught out: Petr Cech reacts to his yellow card after handling outside the area

With four minutes remaining, a
throw-in found its way to Carlton Cole, who laid the ball off to Diame
to drill home and it got worse in stoppage time when fellow substitute
Maiga followed up after Taylor's shot was parried.

Torres had the final say with a header that was saved but it was already too late.

Watching brief: Sam Allardyce and Rafa Benitez look on as Cesar Azpilicueta tackles Joey O'Brien

Watching brief: Sam Allardyce and Rafa Benitez look on as Cesar Azpilicueta tackles Joey O'Brien

Tottenham 3 West Ham 1: match report

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Tottenham 3 West Ham 1: Defoe hits back with double to defeat the boo boys

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UPDATED:

00:00 GMT, 26 November 2012

It is almost nine years since Jermain Defoe left West Ham United, but football fans do not forget. The Tottenham striker was taunted mercilessly by those in claret and blue. His response was emphatic.

Defoe scored two goals — the first a quite superb individual effort — and was booked, then flirted with a second yellow card in a 3-1 win Tottenham so desperately needed. It was impossible to ignore him, never mind forget him.

In the absence of Emmanuel Adebayor, suspended after being sent off against Arsenal last weekend, and against the team with which the self-described ‘East End boy’ grew up, Defoe scored the opening goal and Spurs never looked back.

Scores when he wants: Jermain Defoe celebrates helping Tottenham to victory

Scores when he wants: Jermain Defoe celebrates helping Tottenham to victory

Match facts

Tottenham: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Vertonghen, Huddlestone, Sandro (Livermore 86), Lennon (Dembele 79), Dempsey, Bale, Defoe (Sigurdsson 90).

Subs Not Used: Friedel, Gallas, Naughton, Carroll.

Booked: Defoe.

Goals: Defoe 44, Bale 58, Defoe 64.

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Tomkins, Reid, McCartney, Maiga (Jarvis 31), Diame, O'Neil (Taylor 55), Noble, Nolan (Cole 68),Carroll.

Subs Not Used: Spiegel, Collins, Demel, Moncur.

Booked: O'Brien, Noble.

Goals: Carroll 82.

Att: 36,043

Ref: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

They were as dominant as West Ham were poor, with Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, Clint Dempsey and, of course, Defoe exposing the visitors’ surprising defensive fragility.

Sam Allardyce’s side were the third stingiest team in the Barclays Premier League before this game, but the manager’s ploy to defend deep and try to nick a goal was ruined by Defoe’s stunning 44th-minute strike.

Bale then added a second after a delicious chipped ball from Dempsey before Defoe scored the third, profiting from an explosive run from Lennon.

Andy Carroll opened his West Ham account late on — the striker’s first goal in 15 games — but it was nothing more than a consolation; an aside to mar the exuberant, and somewhat relieved, celebrations of the Tottenham bench.

Assistant coach Steffen Freund’s ecstasy was perhaps a little much — ‘Sometimes we ask him if he’s taken the pill to calm down, but, when he forgets, he’s very energetic,’ joked Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas — but the hosts needed this victory.

Bullet: Jermaine Defoe rifles Tottenham in front against West Ham

Bullet: Jermaine Defoe rifles Tottenham in front against West Ham

Losing three consecutive matches invited pressure; four defeats in a row would have represented a very serious problem.

Instead, this victory moved them above West Ham into seventh place, five points shy of fourth-placed Chelsea.

‘It was extremely important to get
back to winning ways in a London derby,’ said Villas-Boas. ‘We don’t
jump a lot in terms of the table but we narrow the gap.

‘It puts third place in a better perspective and, hopefully, we can continue this run of form.’

In front: Defoe is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring Tottenham's opening goal

In front: Defoe is mobbed by his team-mates after scoring Tottenham's opening goal

Defoe, too, will hope to continue an impressive start to the season which has seen him notch 12 goals already.

He had a look of determination when he chested the ball down with seconds of the first half remaining, turning and skipping past Winston Reid and George McCartney before sending Mark Noble the wrong way and unleashing a powerful 25-yard shot into the top right-hand corner.

Defoe spun off as if to celebrate in front of the West Ham fans but was then, wisely, shepherded away. Villas-Boas said: ‘In one-on-one situations he is immense and it was decisive because it unlocked the game.

Easy does it: Gareth Bale added a second for Tottenham as they saw off West Ham

Easy does it: Gareth Bale added a second for Tottenham as they saw off West Ham

Here we go: Bale celebrates with Clint Dempsey as Tottenham climb the table

Here we go: Bale celebrates with Clint Dempsey as Tottenham climb the table

‘He’s an incredible striker. His moment of form is absolutely immense. He’s enjoying his football.

‘When we see strikers of this nature, their hunger for goals is exactly what you want and request from a striker. I couldn’t ask for any more.’

Defoe’s strike ignited a poor first half that was more notable for the disgraceful chanting in the stands than the action on the pitch. Bale had looked the most likely architect of a Tottenham goal and Lennon sent a right-foot shot wide but West Ham offered little apart from a wayward Carroll header from a Reid free-kick.

The visitors looked surprisingly off the pace, something they must now try to correct at Manchester United on Wednesday without the influential Noble, who received his fifth caution of the season and will be suspended.

Return: Fourth official Mark Clattenburg (centre) as at White Hart Lane

Return: Fourth official Mark Clattenburg (centre) as at White Hart Lane

Fourth official Mark Clattenburg

Allardyce said: ‘We were very poor, unfortunately. It looked like we were a bit overawed and I don’t know why. I didn’t expect that.

‘It shocked me, to be honest, but I’ve just got to accept it and we’ve got to get over it very, very quickly.’

Substitute Matt Jarvis brought a good save from Hugo Lloris just after the restart and the Tottenham goalkeeper, starting his third consecutive match ahead of Brad Friedel, was alert to stop the winger again after a pass from Kevin Nolan in the 56th minute. Carroll scored his goal eight minutes from time and there were late efforts from Joey O’Brien and Reid, but the visitors offered little.

At last! Andy Carroll scores his first goal for West Ham United

At last! Andy Carroll scores his first goal for West Ham United

Spurs, by contrast, were lively and energetic. Dempsey hit the bar from the edge of the box before setting up Bale, whose left-foot shot went in off the far post.

Sandro, who later left the field for Jake Livermore after suffering pain in his abdomen, then won possession on the halfway line and fed Lennon, who sprinted forward and passed Nolan before picking out Defoe to his left.

The England striker does not miss chances like those — as West Ham know all too well.

It’s now six goals for him in seven starts against the Hammers in a Tottenham shirt. Maybe he doesn’t forget, either.

Stoke"s smart corner routine took three days to perfect, reveals Tony Pulis

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Pulis reveals Stoke's smart corner routine took three days to perfect (but it was first time Walters had found the net)

|

UPDATED:

07:38 GMT, 20 November 2012

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was delighted a pre-planned set-piece paid dividends in their 1-1 draw at West Ham.

Pulis has yet to see his team win on
the road this campaign but they held high-flying West Ham after taking
the lead through Jonathan Walters in the 13th minute.

Video: watch the match highlights

Planned attack: : Six West Ham players are unable to stop Jonathan Walters scoring

Planned attack: : Six West Ham players are unable to stop Jonathan Walters scoring

Match facts

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien (Demel 77), Reid, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble, Nolan, Diame, O'Neil, Carroll (Cole 85), Maiga (Taylor 85).

Subs not used: Spiegel, Collins, Spence, Hall.

Booked: Noble.

Goal: O'Brien 48.

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson (Shotton 32), Whelan (Palacios 62), Adam, Nzonzi, Walters, Crouch, Etherington (Kightly 74).

Subs not used: Sorensen, Jones, Upson, Jerome.

Goal: Walters 13.

Att: 35,005

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Click here for the live Premier league table, stats and more

The goal came from a well-worked corner routine that saw Glenn Whelan roll the set-piece into the path of Walters' run inside the box, with the Republic of Ireland striker firing past Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Pulis revealed he had been practising the routine to catch West Ham off guard and was pleased to see it make an impact.

'We have worked on it for the past three days,' he said. 'We tried it five or six times and Jonathan Walters has never scored from it so I'm glad he saved it for today.

'I spend a lot of time watching videos and watching teams and I felt if we could do this it would come off. You work on it millions and millions of times – it is lovely when it comes off.'

Pulis has not seen his side win away in the Barclays Premier League since a 2-1 victory over Blackburn on January 2 but was pleased with his players' application.

'First half I thought we played well and created the better opportunities and really we needed that second goal. The worst thing that happened to us was half-time, that took the momentum away from us,' he said.

Opener: Jonathan Walters struck from a cleverly worked corner

Opener: Jonathan Walters struck from a cleverly worked corner

'We started very sloppy in the second
half, we invited West Ham onto us and they scored a goal and from that
point onwards we need to show a lot of resilience and determination as a
group not to concede a second.'

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce felt his side were unlucky not to secure a
victory that would have seen the Hammers move up to fifth in the table.

'I think in the end we were disappointed we didn't win it, given our second-half performance,” he said.

'I think that when you put that much pressure on the opposition second
half you have got to try and a be a bit more ruthless in front of goal, a
little bit more quality and composure needed and we probably would have
won it, but at the end of the day it is another point.'

Good job: Peter Crouch celebrates the strike which put Tony Pulis' side ahead

Good job: Peter Crouch celebrates the strike which put Tony Pulis' side ahead

Shocking: West Ham had a less than impressive first half

Shocking: West Ham had a less than impressive first half

Allardyce was without injured duo Yossi Benayoun and Matt Jarvis for the
game but praised his players and reckons quality, rather than quantity,
is the key.

'I was very pleased with the second-half performance and the fact the squad has performed very well yet again,' he said.

'I think that while our numbers are not great our quality seems to be
very good and our defensive unit was very good apart, from that corner.'

That'll do: O'Brien struck just after the interval

That'll do: O'Brien struck just after the interval

Come on: Pulis' side faded as the match went on

Master stroke: Stoke boss Tony Pulis

West Ham 1 Stoke 1 – match report

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West Ham 1 Stoke 1: O'Brien strike earns Allardyce a point against resilient Potters

Press Association

PUBLISHED:

21:51 GMT, 19 November 2012

|

UPDATED:

21:58 GMT, 19 November 2012

Joey O'Brien struck early in the second half to earn a point for West Ham against a tough-to-beat Stoke City.

The Potters had led after a well-worked corner routine saw Jon Walters smash home.

After the equaliser West Ham pushed to win the game but could not breach Tony Pulis' mean defence for a second time.

Andy Carroll was substituted with five minutes remaining and was clearly annoyed at the decision by Sam Allardyce.

More to follow.

Back on track: Joey O'Brien (right) is congratulated by Kevin Nolan after scoring the equaliser

Back on track: Joey O'Brien (right) is congratulated by Kevin Nolan after scoring the equaliser

Match facts

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien (Demel 77), Reid, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble, Nolan, Diame, O'Neil, Carroll (Cole 85), Maiga (Taylor 85).

Subs not used: Spiegel, Collins, Spence, Hall.

Booked: Noble.

Goal: O'Brien 48.

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson (Shotton 32), Whelan (Palacios 62), Adam, Nzonzi, Walters, Crouch, Etherington (Kightly 74).

Subs not used: Sorensen, Jones, Upson, Jerome.

Goal: Walters 13.

Att: 35,005

Ref: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Click here for the live Premier league table, stats and more


Opener: Jonathan Walters struck from a cleverly worked corner

Opener: Jonathan Walters struck from a cleverly worked corner

Good job: Peter Crouch celebrates the strike which put Tony Pulis' side ahead

Good job: Peter Crouch celebrates the strike which put Tony Pulis' side ahead

Shocking: West Ham had a less than impressive first half

Shocking: West Ham had a less than impressive first half

That'll do: O'Brien struck just after the interval

That'll do: O'Brien struck just after the interval

Scrappy: Glenn Whelan and Mohamed Diame get tangled up

Scrappy: Glenn Whelan and Mohamed Diame get tangled up

Come on: Pulis' side faded as the match went on

Come on: Pulis' side faded as the match went on

No impact: Crouch could not help his side as the game petered out

No impact: Crouch could not help his side as the game petered out

Off form: Andy Carroll was not at his best and was substituted late on

Off form: Andy Carroll was not at his best and was substituted late on

Thump: Matthew Etherington and O'Brien fight for the ball

Thump: Matthew Etherington and O'Brien fight for the ball

West Ham v Stoke live

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PREMIER LEAGUE LIVE: West Ham v Stoke – all the action as it happens at Upton Park

|

UPDATED:

20:10 GMT, 19 November 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the Barclays Premier League as West Ham host Stoke at Upton Park to conclude the weekend's fixtures.

The Hammers are aiming for three points that would take them into fifth while the Potters will target a win that will drag them into the comforts of mid-table.

Send me your thoughts on the action at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

West Ham 0-0 Stoke (8pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

West Ham: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien,
Reid, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble, Nolan, Diame, O'Neil, Carroll, Maiga.
Subs: Spiegel, Cole, Taylor, Collins, Demel, Spence, Hall.

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Huth,
Shawcross, Wilkinson, Whelan, Adam, Nzonzi, Walters, Crouch,
Etherington.
Subs: Sorensen, Palacios, Jones, Upson, Kightly, Shotton,
Jerome.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

Click here for the live Premier league table

7min: It's died down since that open start with both sides struggling to keep the ball. I do hope it's not going to be one of those nights…

4min: Straight up the other end and Stoke have a reasonable chance themselves. The ball drops for Charlie Adam inside the box, but the Scot fails to read the bounce and volleys over.

3min: An early corner for the hosts after Modibo Maiga's dangerous cross is headed over by a Stoke defender. The Potters easily clear the set-piece though.

Kick-off: The home side to a backdrop of bubbles get us going in front of a lively crowd.

19.57: So we do have an even contest after all as out come the players on a chilly night in east London.

19.53: Well that looked a bit worrying from a West Ham perspective.

As the Stoke players lined up in the tunnel, on the opposite side were the Hammers mascots who are a good couple of feet shorter.

Even I would have to play a long ball game if I was Tony Pulis and had seen Big Sam was giving the kids a run out.

Kevin Nolan soon appears with the real West Ham side though.

Drought: Andy Carroll is still searching for his first league goal since joining on loan from Liverpool

Drought: Andy Carroll is still searching for his first league goal since joining on loan from Liverpool

19.48: Stoke however are not in that mix right now. Sitting 14th they are three points above the relegation zone.

That's more due to to the fact they have proved a tough nut to crack though.

No side has had more than their six draws and no side has conceded fewer than their 10 goals this term.

Then again no team has scored fewer than their nine goals either so plenty for the Potters to build on the attacking front.

19.45: Not that I expect Big Sam and friends to feature in the Champions League next season but it shows how tight the battle to reach Europe is right now.

19.43: Even if West Ham do lose this evening – it's still been a highly respectful start from the east London side.

They are seventh and a place above Tottenham but the win would put them just two points off a Champions League spot – a sign of how good their start has been since returning to the top flight.

19.38: It's not often we have a chance to have a detailed flick through the archives of a particular fixture – especially to the 1970s.

But here Sportsmail's Jeff Powell has done exactly that to remind us why this fixture can deliver the goods. Recommended reading this one.

19.33: Full line-ups from Upton Park:

West Ham v Stoke
West Ham: Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, Reid, Tomkins, McCartney, Noble, Nolan, Diame, O'Neil, Carroll, Maiga. Subs: Spiegel, Cole, Taylor, Collins, Demel, Spence, Hall.

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Whelan, Adam, Nzonzi, Walters, Crouch, Etherington. Subs: Sorensen, Palacios, Jones, Upson, Kightly, Shotton, Jerome.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside)

19.28: From OptaJoe:

49 – Mark Noble has made more tackles than any other player in the Premier League this season. Snappy.

19.25: As a slight bonus, below I have attached a video of Sam Allardyce's press conference from earlier today, enjoy.

19.20: West Ham boss Sam Allardyce spoke to Sky Sports before the game:

'Stoke are extremely good at defending, breaking them down is very important tonight.

'Succeeding in this division requires good defending and we have done that this season but we will be tested by Stoke’s attacking system tonight

'At some stage we may have have to change it around but I hope we don’t. It’s a big task for us tonight. We can go fifth but the pressure is on us as everyone expects us to win.

'Not only do they play off Peter Crouch exceptionally well but they play around him as well too.'

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19.15: West Ham manager Sam Allardyce makes two enforced changes to his starting line-up for the Barclays Premier League visit of Stoke.

Both Yossi Benayoun and Matt Jarvis failed to recover from injuries suffered in last weekend's 1-0 win at Newcastle with Modibo Maiga and Gary O'Neil replacing them for the Hammers.

Stoke name an unchanged side following last weekend's victory over QPR with midfielder Glenn Whelan overcoming a hamstring complaint.

19.10: West Ham staring XI:

Jaaskelainen, O'Brien, McCartney, Reid, Tomkins, Noble, Diame, Nolan, O'Neil, Maiga, Carroll.

19.05: Stoke starting XI:

Begovic, Cameron, Huth, Shawcross, Wilkinson, Walters, Whelan, Nzonzi, Etherington; Adam, Crouch.

19.00: You only have to go back to Saturday and see QPR v Southampton to see how much of a battle staying in the Premier League can be as two of the three promoted sides slugged it out in a bottom of the table clash.

The third however, West Ham, seem to be loving life back in the top flight. Tonight the Hammers take on Stoke and given the look of the table may adjust their sights on a battle for a European spot if they win this evening. Team news on the way.

West Ham v Stoke