Five changes for Hammers to face Spurs

Relegation-haunted West Ham manager Alan Curbishley made five changes to his side following last weekend’s 4-0 defeat at Charlton.

The Hammers came into the game bottom of the Barclays Premiership on goal difference from Watford and without a league win in 10 games.

Hayden Mullins, captain at The Valley, dropped out of the squad altogether with Mark Noble earning his first Premiership start of the season in the centre of midfield.

Lucas Neill returned from injury and took over the captain’s armband in only his third appearance for West Ham.

Matthew Upson started after shaking a calf injury while Lee Bowyer came onto the right of midfield and Marlon Harewood replaced Carlton Cole.

Tottenham’s former West Ham striker Jermain Defoe replaced the suspended Robbie Keane and Anthony Gardner started at Upton Park ahead of Ricardo Roche.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Upson, Ferdinand, Konchesky, Bowyer, Noble, Quashie, Etherington, Tevez, Harewood. Subs: Walker, Spector, Zamora, Davenport, Blanco.

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Dawson, Gardner, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon, Jenas, Tainio, Ghaly, Defoe, Berbatov. Subs: Cerny, Stalteri, Taarabt, Huddlestone, Rocha.