Source: Telegraph
West Ham United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2: match report
Aaron Lennon’s angled shot settled a fiercely-contested London derby on an afternoon that had appeared to belong to Carlton Cole.
Lennon’s goal, following a mistake by Jonathan Spector, sent Spurs back to the top of the Premier League table.
With a goal of astonishing quality and a mistake that was equally breath-taking, it had appeared that Cole had provided the decisive moments of the match.
The West Ham striker scored with a thunderous half-volley from 30 yards, swivelling and crisply shooting with his left foot, with the ball tearing past a bemused Carlo Cudicini.
That was in the 49th minute but just five minutes later Cole, distracted as he beckoned for a drink, had the ball played to him. He took a touch and from inside his own half sent the ball back towards the West Ham penalty area. Unfortunately he played it straight to Jermain Defoe who turned and lashed his shot beyond an equally bemused Robert Green.
For West Ham it was a goal made all the more bitter because it was struck by their former striker, who left in acrimony, and who is still booed relentlessly when he returns to this ground. But also seems to score against West Ham.
It was Defoe’s sixth goal in four games but in the shoot-out of the would-be England strikers - manager Fabio Capello was in attendance - it was Cole who made the greater impact. And not just because of his blunder.
He led West Ham’s attack brilliantly, terrorising Sebastien Bassong while Spurs will be relieved that Ledley King was able to marshall their defence.
West Ham will also feel aggrieved in failing to be awarded a penalty when Benoit Assou-Ekotto appeared to clip the heels of Luis Jimenez, the Chilean on loan from Inter Milan. Referee Mark Clattenburg was close to the incident and waved play on.
Jimenez also forced a fine save from Cudicini with a header although, in truth, the former Chelsea goalkeeper appeared a hesitant presence for Spurs who are missing the injured Heurelho Gomes.
Spurs also went close in the first-half when King met Luka Modric’s free-kick, with the ball coming off the defender’s back, before smacking against the crossbar.
King had also saved Spurs by superbly blocking Jack Collison’s side-footed shot - and the young midfielder also went close in the final minute - after more fine play by Cole.
But it was Lennon whose fine finish, running in from the left wing, settled matters and that will, also, have pleased Capello as well as Spurs manager Harry Redknapp.
