Grandstand Irons finish but too little too late
Irons 2 Spurs 3
But it was so close to becoming a guts and glory affair for the Irons although Michail Antonio’s 28th minute exit affected the shape and probably destiny of the game.
Antonio walked away feeling his hamstring and Andy Carroll arrived having been understood to have suffered a knock in training which kept him on the bench.
Sadly the big fella’s first notable contribution was to play a ball straight to the always dangerous Eriksen who moved it on to Alli who crossed and there was the Kane inevitable to head home.
The second arrived four minutes later when Kane again was in the right spot to fire past Hart and when Eriksen added a third it looked all over.
But Spurs saw Aurier sent off for a second bookable offence and the Hammers pressed forward with Chicharito heading home from close in after a well taken corner.
Masuaku was introduced and immediately brought brilliant thrust down the left side, eventually crossing brilliantly for Kouyate to thump home a magnificent header.
Try as they may, the Hammers couldn’t add the third but they came out of the game finally with great credit and let’s be fair they were well led by the often much abused skipper Mark Noble.
In the end no points but the Hammers can take much from the first and last half hours in a game that will long live in the memory despite the defeat.