Frederic Piquionne scored the goal which saw Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp suffer his first defeat against former club West Ham as a manager.
Piquionne's first-half header also gave West Ham their first league win of the season in a thrilling London derby at Upton Park. It was no more than West Ham deserved as they showed the grit and determination which manager Avram Grant will need to see more of if they are to avoid relegation this season.
Goalkeeper Robert Green also made a string of athletic saves as he continued his rehabilitation following his World Cup howler for England, including one from Luka Modric in the first half which was a candidate for save of the season. West Ham were hoping to build on their midweek Carling Cup victory against Sunderland and the confidence oozed from them, especially in the first half.
They might have taken the lead inside the first minute when Victor Obinna dragged a left-foot shot wide when clean through, but that set the tone for a match which swung from end to end. A Kieron Dyer shot deflected just wide and a Manuel da Costa header also went close before the Hammers received their reward for their enterprising play in the 29th minute.
When it came, however, it had little to do with thrills. It was simple and direct, Mark Noble swinging across a swerving corner for Piquionne who rose above the rest to send a glancing header into the Tottenham net.
It was no more than West Ham deserved as they were playing football which belied their position in the relegation zone, one mazy Scott Parker dribble into the area typical of their increasing confidence.
But if the Hammers attacking play was impressive then it would have counted for nothing without Green. He has taken some fearful stick since his howler against USA at the World Cup, but there is no doubt that on his day he is a supreme shot-stopper. He needed to be, tipping away a thunderous drive from Jermaine Jenas and palming out a 20-yard left-foot shot from Van der Vaart.
But it was his save to deny Luka Modric which was world class. Brilliant work by Aaron Lennon down the right saw the ball arrive for Modric to swing his cultured left boot. It was the sweetest of strikes, which looked goalbound until somehow Green threw himself to his right to tip it onto the bar and away to safety.
Tottenham had their chances in the second half, Alan Hutton putting Tom Huddlestone clear with just Green to beat.
The Tottenham captain did the hard bit, rounding the goalkeeper, but then contrived to send his tame shot horribly wide of the post. Carlton Cole came on for the limping Piquionne but it was West Ham who should have extended their lead when Obinna got the better of the Spurs defence and fired in a left-foot shot which was brilliantly saved low down by Carlo Cudicini.
The Tottenham goalkeeper also denied Noble in the 73rd minute when he somehow managed to turn the midfielder's goalbound drive acrobatically around the post. Redknapp threw on Robbie Keane for the ineffective Lennon in a bid to supply more fire power but Keane could only shoot straight into the hands of Green when his clearest chance presented itself.
One sour note for the heavily-criticised Grant was seeing an injured Dyer leave the field after 41 minutes to be replaced by Pablo Barrera. But it was a match from which he will take great heart.West Ham manager Avram Grant insisted goalkeeper Robert Green had silenced his critics after seeing his side record their first league win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham in an entertaining London derby.
Grant said: "He is a good goalkeeper and it was a normal performance from him. It was a great save against Modric.'' When asked had Green been harshly treated, Grant replied: "This is the life of a sportsman.
"I haven't seen any footballer who is good all the season. It does not matter what is in the papers he showed on the pitch that he is a very good goalkeeper. His performance today was the best speech. I like emotion in the game. I don't want to be a cold fish.''
Redknapp also admitted Green made the difference. Redknapp said: "He has had a difficult time after his mistake at the World Cup but it looked like he was in great form again today. He made two world class saves.''
For Redknapp there was the taste of defeat at his old club for the first time as a manager, but he was in philosophical mood. "It is the first time I've been beaten by the Super Hammers,'' he said. "But I don't feel any worse losing to West Ham. I've had a great run coming back here.
"They started strong and their front two were a real handful. They worked their socks off. It was a great team effort from West Ham and it could have gone either way. It was an exciting game, end to end stuff. It was more of a basketball match. They attacked, we attacked and it could have gone either way.
"If Tom Huddlestone had scored when he was clean through in the second half it would have been different. They would have been on the floor and we would have been in the ascendancy.'' Redknapp has defensive problems for Wednesday when his side take on Dutch side FC Twente in the Champions League at White Hart Lane. He lost William Gallas on Friday when he tore a groin muscle in training, Ledley King has groin and knee problems, Younes Kaboul has a hamstring injury and Michael Dawson is a long-term casualty. Fullback Benoit Assou Ekotto also has a knee problem.
It leaves him likely to have to depend on Vedran Corluka and Sebastien Bassong in central defence after a shaky display at Upton Park. Redknapp admitted: "We looked a bit open at the back, didn't look solid but it was not our normal back four. The last 15 minutes we were all over the shop.''
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