King praises team mates

Tottenham captain Ledley King turned the focus on his team mates after his first goal in three years set Spurs on their way to victory over West Ham tonight.

King’s 68th minute header was followed by a fine strike from substitute Jamie O’Hara in the final minute, lifting Spurs above West Ham into 15th place.

“I didn’t really catch it cleanly but sometimes they’re the ones that go in for you,” King said on Setanta Sports. “I’m just pleased with the efforts the lads put in, it was must-win coming here.

“It’s not important for me to score, it’s the team, the three points. I’m just happy with a full team performance. Even the players that came off the bench came in and did well.”

Before O’Hara’s second, West Ham had a pair of chances to equalise late in the game, but oft-criticised goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes came through for Tottenham with a quick double-save to deny Lucas Neill and David Di Michele.

“The lads are fully behind him and he’s pulled out some great saves for us all season,” King said. “Tonight he’s saved us again.”

Jonathan Woodgate hailed the win as Spurs’ best effort of the season, but warned that their relegation worries are not over yet.

“This was a must-win game,” he said. “It’s another point over West Ham which was vital. It was a thoroughly deserved victory – that was the best we’ve played all season, we were resolute.”

He added: “We’re still in the relegation battle, there’s only three points between us and 17th. Hopefully we can climb the table but first we’ve got to get ourselves out of the position we’re in.”