West Ham go into the break on level terms after a decent showing in the opening 45 minutes at White Hart Lane.
Sam Allardyce's side - who lined up without a recognised striker in the starting XI - have frustrated Tottenham in a first half lacking any real notable moments.Playing a variation of the 'False Nine' tactic that has served clubs such as Barcelona so well in recent years, Allardyce started with Ricardo Vaz Te and Stewart Downing in what would traditionally be recognised as a striker's role, with both dropping deep to receive the ball.
And so far it has worked well, with United restricting the home side to a smittering of half chances. Although Spurs managed five efforts on goal to West Ham's four, Jussi Jaaskelainen has had just one save to make thanks to a superb defensive effort from the Hammers, epitomised by an excellent performance from James Tomkins.
West Ham's best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Tomkins' defensive partner Winston Reid, who rose highest to meet a 34th minute Mark Noble corner only to slice his header wide of the far post.
However Kevin Nolan should have done much better when a clever Noble free kick gave him the opportunity to fire wide in the closing moments of the half.
We'll have more for you at the final whistle...
West Ham Utd: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Tomkins, Reid, Rat, Noble, Morrison, Nolan, Downing, Diame, Vaz Te.
Subs: Adrian, O'Brien, Collins, Cole, Jarvis, Petric, Maiga.
Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Walker, Naughton, Dawson, Vertonghen, Paulinho, Dembele, Townsend, Sigurdsson, Eriksen, Defoe.
Subs: Holtby, Friedel, Chadli, Lamela, Sandro, Chiriches, Soldado.
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