West Ham United 0 Spurs 0

By Rich Sprent

at Upton Park

There may have been moans and groans beforehand at what looked a dreary line up but the Hammers boss Sam Allardyce looked to have got things spot on from early.

Spurs were nervous and running into blind alleys as Stewart Downing in particular linked well at the front when the Irons moved forward.

And after a fairly even first 25 minutes the Hammers won themselves a penalty when Naughton handled a Nolan shot and the usually totally reliable Mark Noble stepped up for the spot kick ….and missed for the first time since 2009.

Naughton also received red but Noble shot low and wide of Lloris right hand post.

Spurs looked pretty clueless after the penalty but the Hammers, whilst linking well, were without much guile.

Carlton Cole in the big striker role held the ball up well and new boy Aaron Cresswell looked comfortable as did Kouyate.

Ricardo Vaz Te had been a surprise inclusion and had one or two chances which came to nothing and was eventually substituted in the 70th minuted by Mohamed Diame.

Things were evened up in terms of numbers when James Collins received his marching orders for a blatant body check on Adebayor midway through the second half.

But a game of few chances was brightened briefly near the end by the appearance of Enner Valencia who showed frightening pace.

He looks a real class act who will scare Premier league defences half to death.

Man of the match: Stewart Downing – constantly probing