Gloves are off at Upton Park

FIGHTING spirit has never been in short supply in London’s east end, and West Ham now appear to be maintaining that proud tradition.

No sooner had Alan Curbishley delivered a half-time dressing-down to Anton Ferdinand — promptly rewarded with a crucial winning goal — than his fellow centre-back James Collins had vowed to oust him from the Upton Park first team.

The battle to start at centre-half is indicative of a West Ham side growing in confidence as the injury crisis which dogged the first half of their season starts to ease and competition for places increases.