WEST HAM conceded valuable ground in the race for a Europa League place to their fiercest of rivals as a second-half Roman Pavlyuchenko strike confined them to defeat White Hart Lane.

Injuries had forced Gianfranco Zola to tweak his line-up, with youngster James Tomkins being pushed out to right back following Jonathan Spector's concussion last week, while Lucas Neill kept his place in midfield after Scott Parker and Radislav Kovac both failed to prove their fitness.

However, any notion that West Ham would play conservatively and settle for a draw were quickly dispelled, as they ventured forward with purpose in the opening ten minutes.

True to form, Zola went with an attacking formation, despite the clutch of injuries that have ravaged his squad.

Luis Boa Morte and Junior Stanislas kept their places on the wings after last week's impressive performances against Sunderland, while David Di Michele and Diego Tristan were once again paired together in attack.

And it was the Italian forward Di Michele who had the first chance of the match. Mark Noble, who was instrumental for the visitors throughout, spread the ball wide for Stanislas. The youngster took a touch and crossed to the back post, where the veteran striker was waiting, although his fierce volley flashed wide.

Robert Green was called into action on the half hour mark, as he first tipped Tom Huddlestone's shot away from goal, before spilling Robbie Keane's volley out of harm's way.

A keenly-fought and hotly contested game was anticipated by all, and it didn't disappoint. The two sets of fans contributed heavily to the occasion, with both trading chants as the two teams traded shots.

Di Michele and Noble were integral to almost every attack West Ham had. The young midfielder squared for the Italian, but his shot was deflected away from goal.

Di Michele then should have put his team ahead after the break. A long ball upfield was misjudged by Joanthan Woodgate, allowing the forward to get in behind, but his tame left-footed shot was blocked by the feet of Heurelho Gomes.

The miss was to prove costly. Spurs boss Harry Redknapp threw on Pavlyuchenko in place of the ineffective Darren Bent, and the move yielded an instant reward.

The excellent Vedran Corluka found himself in an advanced position on the right, and the Croatian international was able to find his compatriot Luka Modric in space in the box. There was no defender in sight as the playmaker was allowed to take a touch, before feeding Pavlyuchenko with his back to goal.

The Russia international shifted the ball to the left, and James Collins failed to get tight enough as his right-footed shot found the far corner of the net.

Keiron Dyer was brought on for Boa Morte, and Zola then went for broke, taking off right-back Tomkins for Savio, and the anonymous Tristan for Freddie Sears.

As the Hammers surged forward, they were prone to a counter attack, and the hosts almost put the game beyond doubt. Pavlyuchenko broke away and released Aaron Lennon, but Green was quickly on him. The rebound fell to Robbie Keane, but his right-footed shot was blocked by Collins on the goal line.

Di Michele then saw a late curling effort palmed away by Gomes.

But the Spurs' defence held firm to take all three points.