Green stop denies Spurs

Green: Vital save

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• Carlton Cole

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Robert Green's brilliant injury-time penalty save ensured a fiercely competitive London derby between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur ended in a 1-1 draw.

Carlton Cole had put the home side ahead before Michael Dawson levelled in the second half.

Jermain Defoe was then presented with a golden opportunity to secure three points from the penalty spot as the match moved into added time, but Green saved expertly, tipping the ball onto the post.

Despite a bright start from Spurs, Alan Curbishley's men took the initiative on 20 minutes when Luis Boa Morte capitalised on a Younes Kaboul error to release Nolberto Solano who crossed for Cole tap home.

Minutes before half time referee Mike Riley chose to wave away strong penalty appeals when Green felled Robbie Keane in the box.

The visitors increased their tempo in the second period and were rewarded when Green was caught in no-mans land when he attempted to claim a free-kick, allowing Dawson to head into an empty net.

In the dying minutes Lucas Neill was adjudged to have fouled substitute Defoe in the area, however a stunning dive from Green denied the former West Ham striker.

Sharp

Tottenham began the game in sharp fashion and had a goal ruled out for offside as early as the fourth minute after goalkeeper Robert Green could only parry a Jermaine Jenas shot into the path of Aaron Lennon.

The England winger tucked the ball away from eight yards but was immediately flagged offside.

Tottenham had a penalty appeal waved away in the seventh minute when Dimitar Berbatov appeared to be tripped inside the penalty area but referee Mike Riley was unimpressed.

On 15 minutes George McCartney almost scored an own goal when he connected with a free-kick from Jenas but, much to his relief, the ball went inches wide.

But West Ham went in front in the 20th minute when they took full advantage of a dreadful defensive lapse by Tottenham's Younes Kaboul.

The Spurs centre-half tried to launch the ball upfield but his clearance hit Boa Morte who burst into the penalty area before finding Solano with a clever reverse pass.

Solano shaped to shoot home from an acute angle but instead smartly laid the ball across the six-yard-box for the unmarked Cole to place into an empty net.

In the 23rd minute Hayden Mullens tested goalkeeper Paul Robinson with an 18-yard drive which the England stopper had to collect at the second attempt.

West Ham were prevented from increasing their advantage in the 26th minute by a stunning save by Robinson.

The England international, axed by former boss Steve McClaren for the 3-2 Euro 2008 qualifying defeat by Croatia, saved at point-blank range from Boa Morte.

Misjudged

Moments later Berbatov should have done better for Spurs when a cross from Bale was misjudged by Mullins, but the Bulgarian failed to the hit the target from the edge of the six-yard-box.

West Ham carved open Tottenham again in the 38th minute when Solano burst into space inside the penalty area. He allowed Boa Morte to cross the ball for Matthew Etherington to try his luck with a header from six yards.

However, the former Tottenham winger's effort was dealt with comfortably by Robinson.

Referee Riley was at the centre of controversy five minutes before the break when he refused to award Spurs a penalty.

Tottenham midfielder Zokora had found the unmarked Keane with a delightful through ball and the Irishman only had Green to beat in order to level the scores.

The Spurs striker chipped the ball over the head of the West ham goalkeeper who then appeared to trip him. The ball flashed wide of the post and Riley waved away furious appeals for a penalty from Keane and a host of other Tottenham players.

Spurs wasted a glorious chance to level the scores in the 49th minute when an unchecked run by Jenas caused problems for the West Ham defence.

Jenas eventually played the ball to the unmarked Steed Malbranque who curled his short around Green's left-hand upright.

But Spurs hauled themselves level in the 66th minute when a free-kick from Jenas was headed into the net off the underside of the crossbar by defender Michael Dawson.

Reward

In the 77th minute a break down the left flank by Bale almost brought Tottenham further reward.

Bale's cross was met by Malbranque who hit a rising drive straight at Green.

Moments later Spurs replaced Keane with former West Ham favourite Defoe to the expected howls of abuse from the home fans.

West Ham were still dangerous on the counter though and Cole sent a 20-yard drive flashing inches wide of the target in the 79th minute while Parker forced Robinson into a stunning save moments later. Jenas then had to clear a header from McCartney off the line in the final minute.

But Spurs should have won it in stoppage time when Defoe was brought down by Lucas Neill. But the Spurs striker's spot-kick was saved by Green.