Tottenham supporters may joke that meetings with West Ham are their counterparts' 'cup finals', but there's no denying the mutual animosity.
This is a rivalry arguably more significant for its off-field antics than what actually goes down on the pitch, but these two sides have nonetheless played out some thrilling encounters over the years.
The plucky Irons have been a thorn in some excellent Spurs sides as of late, compromising their title dreams in 2016 before crushing them a year later with a pair of 1-0 victories.
Here's a trip down memory lane as 90min recalls some of the best head-to-head meetings between Tottenham and West Ham.
Memorable Games
- West Ham 4-3 Tottenham - February 1997
- West Ham 3-4 Tottenham - March 2007
- West Ham 2-3 Tottenham - February 2013
- Tottenham 0-3 West Ham - October 2013
- Tottenham 3-3 West Ham - October 2020
West Ham 4-3 Tottenham - February 1997
They do say that form goes out the window for a derby. That sentiment couldn't have been more true when Spurs rocked up to Upton Park in February 1997 to take on a West Ham side that had lost their previous five Premier League outings.
The Hammers were winless in January and well among the contenders for the drop. This was regarded as a must-win for the hosts and win they most certainly did.
A thrilling first-half saw West Ham take a 3-2 lead as winter arrival Dave Kitson got on the scoresheet. Julian Dicks grabbed their first, while Teddy Sheringham and Darren Anderton struck for the visitors before home debutant John Hartson scored his first West Ham goal just before the interval.
The drama ensued at the start of the second half as David Howells restored parity early on, but it was Howells who then contributed to the decisive moment at the other end as he brought down Hartson to win West Ham a spot-kick. Dicks duly converted and the Hammers held on for a vital three points.
West Ham 3-4 Tottenham - March 2007
Talk about an all-time Premier League classic.
This has to be regarded as the most memorable clash between these two sides. Well, unless you're a West Ham fan.
The Hammers were fighting against the drop and while their relegation battle did end happily ever after, this was a crushing home defeat. The contest was full of great goals as Carlos Tevez and Dimitar Berbatov traded pinpoint free-kicks, while Teemu Tainio scored a wonderful volley.
However, the crucial moment was delivered by Paul Stalteri, whose smash-and-grab effort at the death after Jermain Defoe's shot was saved immediately thrust the Canadian into Lilywhite folklore.
West Ham 2-3 Tottenham - February 2013
From one great to another. Stalteri was Spurs' hero at Upton Park in 2007 and he passed the mantle onto the relatively unknown Gareth Bale.
A topsy-turvy encounter was settled at the death by the inevitable Welshman, who carried Andre Villas-Boas' side on his back that season.
After Gylfi Sigurdsson restored parity, the bout seemed to be heading for a draw before Tom Carroll's sensational pass in stoppage time left Bale with no choice but to pelt the ball from 35 yards into Jussi Jaaskelainen's top corner.
Tottenham 0-3 West Ham - October 2013
With Bale out the door, Spurs' 'Magnificent Seven' signalled the start of a new dawn, but it's an era many Spurs supporters have dashed from their memories.
The end of Villas-Boas' reign in north London was ugly, but as indifferent as they were at the start of the 2013/14 campaign, they were still expected to beat their London rivals when the Hammers visited White Hart Lane in October.
The hosts, however, were utterly abject as the resilient Irons stifled them in the first half before Winston Reid netted their first away goal of the campaign just after the hour. Ricardo Vaz Te soon doubled West Ham's lead before the then-precocious Ravel Morrison delivered a stunning third with a fine individual effort to empty N17.
Tottenham 3-3 West Ham - October 2020
Jose Mourinho's Tottenham reign began with a 3-2 win at West Ham, but it was this unfathomable draw at home to the Irons less than a year later which signalled the beginning of the end for the once special manager in north London.
Mourinho would last a few months in the wake of the draw, but the exuberant Spurs side that opened the season suddenly became cautious and dreary in the aftermath. The Lilywhites flew out of the blocks in this meeting, racing into a 3-0 lead after 16 minutes.
They drifted in the second period, refusing to add to their lead, but there was seemingly no threat at the other end. That was until Fabian Balbuena pulled one back for the visitors in the 82nd minute and suddenly an overwhelming sense of panic crept in. West Ham netted a second two minutes later before Manuel Lanzini snatched a point from out of nowhere with a simply outrageous strike with the last kick of the game.
Tottenham vs West Ham - Complete H2H record
- Games played: 221
- Tottenham wins: 101
- Draws: 54
- West Ham wins: 66
Tottenham vs West Ham - Premier League H2H record
- Games played: 54
- Tottenham wins: 26
- Draws: 11
- West Ham wins: 17
Top scorers in Tottenham vs West Ham Premier League fixtures
Player | Team represented | Goals |
|---|---|---|
Harry Kane | Tottenham | 11 |
Michail Antonio | West Ham | 6 |
Teddy Sheringham | Tottenham, West Ham | 6 |
Son Heung-min | Tottenham | 6 |
Jermain Defoe | West Ham, Tottenham | 6 |
