West Ham 0
Tottenham 1
(Barclays Asia Trophy)
WEST HAM were beaten by fierce rivals Tottenham in the first match of the Barclays Asia Trophy in Beijing today as ex-Hammer Jermain Defoe grabbed the only goal of the game.
Spurs enjoyed the lion's share of possession and chances throughout the contest, with Roman Pavlyuchenko going closest in the first half with a shot that came back off the inside of the post.
The match was overshadowed by a serious-looking injury to midfielder Luis Boa Morte, who was taken to hospital with suspected cruciate ligament damage after twisting his knee in a challenge with Benoit Assou-Ekotto after just ten minutes.
James' Collins header at the back post from Luis Jiminez's delivery was the closest West Ham came to breaking the deadlock, while Spurs looked dangerous on the numerous occasions they ventured forward.
A neat one-two between Carlton Cole and Jiminez ends with the Chilean international having his shot blocked after the break. But Tottenham remain the most threatening of the two teams, and they eventually found the breakthrough 15 minutes from time through Defoe.
The England striker easily avoided the attentions of Julian Faubert before firing a shot towards goal which snuck through the hands of Robert Green and trickled over the line.
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