Gardner on target as Spurs fly high

Only the foolish leave football matches early these days. Changes in the laws have made it much more difficult to kill a game. The incredible pace of matches creates tired minds and bodies. Late goals are inevitable.

This was the case at all three televised matches yesterday to the delight of the game's paymasters, whose sports coverage now produces as many nail-biting finales as any drama.

Yesterday's White Hart Lane episode was typical. Like all the best soap operas the action came late and when the credits rolled there were plenty of questions left hanging. The most pertinent were: "How are Tottenham second?" and "How are West Ham bottom?"

On the evidence of this match, and the midweek collapse to Fulham, Tottenham's exalted position is a false one. Glenn Hoddle, however, is understandably optimistic. "The Premiership doesn't lie at the moment but it is early days," he said. "Yet we've nine or 10 players out and are sitting second in the league. If we can get those players back and maintain a decent position who knows what we can do." Their next match might provide a clue. On Saturday the scriptwriters have given them a walk-on part in the compelling plot unfolding at Old Trafford.

The second question posed yesterday is easier to answer. West Ham's worst start in 40 years is down to a lack of depth in the squad, sloppy defending, and bad luck. The latter manifested itself when, having fought back to 2-2 with 10 minutes remaining, they conceded a late winner to a heavily deflected long-range shot from Anthony Gardner. It was not just bad luck, though, Gardner had run 30 yards without being tackled. "Until we clear up our defending it is going to be difficult for us," said their manager, Glenn Roeder.

It was a bizarre match. Six shots on target, five goals, all in a thrilling final half-hour which followed a dire opening hour. Both teams appeared to lack confidence. This was natural in the case of West Ham, bottom of the league and beaten in midweek by West Bromwich at home, less so for Tottenham. Clearly, the midweek collapse to Fulham had left scars.

Between them, the managers had made seven changes, few enforced. For Tottenham fans this meant a first look at Robbie Keane, their £8m signing. The Irishman was hungry to shine and, after just six minutes, volleyed just over the bar after Christian Dailly had inadvertently headed the ball to him.

West Ham had already been forced to reshuffle their defence, Tomas Repka having been taken to hospital after suffering a gashed knee following a challenge by Jamie Redknapp. X-rays revealed no break. As if to even the score, Chris Perry followed him to have another knee wound cleaned and dressed.

Fortunately for the defenders they left, no one seemed capable of scoring. Not until David James caught a Teddy Sheringham header six minutes from half-time was either goalkeeper seriously tested. Joe Cole, always busy, often inventive, but rarely telling, shot over, then wide. At the other end Sheringham headed wide and Goran Bunjevcevic and Jamie Redknapp shot over. There were other culprits and the wastefulness was summed up when, to jeers, Steve Lomas scooped his shot straight into the air.

Despite this profligacy it seemed inconceivable that two teams with such porous defences would produce a goalless draw. So it proved as Redknapp sparked the goal rush with a pass down the left flank to Matthew Etherington. He beat Trevor Sinclair to whip over a cross which Simon Davies, sprinting ahead of Dailly, turned in at the near post. It was by some distance the best move of the match.

Dailly made quick amends. A corner was returned to Paolo Di Canio. His cross was headed back across goal by the Scotsman and Frédéric Kanouté stabbed the ball in.

Next came the moment which will have Tottenham fans wearing out their VTRs. A deep cross was floated towards Keane. He took the ball on his chest, then exquisitely chipped it over Ian Pearce. Spinning around the defender he advanced on goal only for Pearce to trip him in a desperate attempt to recover. "He showed some class touches and that was sublime skill," Hoddle said. "It was the sort of thing you see from players like Di Canio, Zola, and Bergkamp. And he's 22. Those lads are experienced."

Pearce was dismissed and the penalty dispatched, by Sheringham. Given their parlous position, West Ham could have folded but they responded again. Redknapp conceded a free-kick from which Di Canio picked out Sinclair sneaking away from the dozing Ben Thatcher. With Sven Goran Eriksson looking on he produced a deft finish.

Cole, sprinting away with Gary Doherty nipping at his heels, might have won it. Then Davies shot wide. It seemed the points would be shared when Gardner strolled forward and, meeting no resistance, gambled and won.

Goals: Davies (61) 1-0; Kanouté (65) 1-1; Sheringham (pen, 71) 2-1; Sinclair (76) 2-2; Gardner (88) 3-2.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Keller 4; Taricco 4 (Thatcher 3, h-t), Perry 6 (Doherty 4, 32), Gardner 5, Ziege 5; Davies 7, Redknapp 6, Bunjevcevic 6, Etherington 5 (Iversen, 84); Sheringham 5, Keane 6. Substitutes not used: Hirschfeld (gk), Acimovic.

West Ham United (4-4-2): James 4; Pearce 4, Breen 4, Repka 5 (Winterburn 5, 9), Dailly 4; Cole 6, Lomas 6, Cissé 5, Sinclair 5; Di Canio 5 (Carrick, 78), Kanouté 6 (Defoe, 85). Substitutes not used: Van der Gouw (gk), Camara.

Referee: U Rennie (Sheffield) 7.

Booked: Tottenham: Bunjevcevic. West Ham United: Sinclair, Kanouté. Sending-off: Pearce.

Man of the match: Davies.

Attendance: 36,005.