FA Cup: Hammers and Spurs even at half-time

West Ham 1, Tottenham 1 (half-time)

Stuart Pearce struck an equaliser for West Ham in their FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham to send in the sides level at half-time.

Trailing to Sergei Rebrov's 31st-minute volley amid a frenetic but compelling cup tie at Upton Park, the Hammers were struggling until a superb free-kick from 38-year-old Pearce two minutes before the break put them level.

The Irons were at full-strength as Pearce completed a recovery from an ankle injury that Harry Redknapp had said would be a "miracle", while Michael Carrick and Frederic Kanoute were also back.

For Tottenham, Steffen Iversen was making his first start since the end of September, and the striker lined up in the unaccustomed role of wing-back.

That was quite a selection decision by George Graham, who is to hold talks with new owners ENIC next week amid speculation over his future.

But with the Norwegian pushing inside whenever he could, it was hardly an example of the perceived negative tactics for which Graham is so often criticised.

Even with the frenzied atmosphere at Upton Park, there was the added spice of the winners facing another London derby in the semi-final against Graham's former club Arsenal.

And a typically highly-charged opening ensued, with the midfield area congested, tackles aplenty and few early chances on goal as Kanoute dribbled an effort wide and Pearce produced a superb tackle to deny Les Ferdinand.

Tottenham provided the first real threats as Ferdinand's powerful drive was tipped around the post by Shaka Hislop and Luke Young fired just wide.

With Joe Cole virtually man-marked by Steffen Freund, it was left to Paolo di Canio to find the space from which to inspire West Ham.

However, that space was at a premium as Tottenham were in an inspired mood and, despite an off-target volley by Carrick, Graham's side were steadily increasing their pressure.

Stephen Clemence's half-volley was smartly saved by Hislop at the near post but it was only the upright which saved West Ham when Young rose above Sebastien Schemmel to head goalwards.

Tottenham's goalscoring may have been their main problem in the league, with just eight goals in their past 12 Premiership games, but they had scored nine times in their three previous FA Cup ties this season.

And their domination finally told when West Ham failed to deal with a long throw-in and Sergei Rebrov swivelled inside the penalty area before letting fly with a blistering left-footed volley.

Tottenham looked determined to hang on to that advantage until the break, but that was reckoning without Pearce's intervention.

There were six players in the Tottenham wall when the veteran defender lined up a free-kick 22 yards out, but he charged up to the ball and struck an unstoppable dead-ball effort past Neil Sullivan.