Tottenham Hotspur 3 - 1 West Ham United: Offensive chanting mars derby

WEST Ham fans taunted Tottenham about the stabbing of one of their fans in Rome during a fiery London derby which was settled by a fine brace by Jermain Defoe.

Scorers: Tottenham Hotspur - Defoe (44, 64) Bale (58); West Ham United - Carroll (82)

Defoe scored either side of half-time to sink his former club and Gareth Bale also found the net to give Tottenham a confidence and morale-boosting win in a contest marred by offensive chanting from the away end at White Hart Lane.

West Ham fans chanted “Viva Lazio” and sang the name of former Lazio and Hammers man Paolo Di Canio on several occasions – something that was hard to stomach for the home supporters who witnessed the horrifying attack on Spurs fans in Rome last week.

The Hammers fans were also heard hissing on at least three occasions during the game, which is interpreted to mimic the sound of the gas chambers at concentration camps during World War Two. For a club with a strong affinity with the Jewish community, Tottenham’s supporters are bound to have been offended by these actions.

On a more positive note, there was warm applause from home fans for Spurs legend Alan Gilzean, who was presented on the pitch at half-time, the Scot’s first visit to White Hart Lane for 40 years.

Spurs were by far the better team and deservedly won, moving above West Ham to seventh place in the league. The only crumb of comfort for the visitors was Andy Carroll’s late header – his first goal for the club.