West Ham United's Carlton Cole (left) scores past Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson during their English Premier League soccer match at Upton Park in east London yesterday. - REUTERS
LONDON (Reuters):
England striker Jermain Defoe missed a late penalty but Tottenham Hotspur's unbeaten run under new coach Juande Ramos remained intact after a 1-1 draw at West Ham United yesterday.
Tottenham substitute Defoe wasted a glorious chance to win it in stoppage time when his penalty was saved by Robert Green after he was bundled over by Lucas Neill.
Carlton Cole tapped West Ham in front after 20 minutes from Nolberto Solano's low cross, following a mistake from Tottenham defender Younes Kaboul.
Tottenham should have been awarded a penalty five minutes before the break when striker Robbie Keane was caught by the leg of keeper Green after he had dinked the ball over his head. The visitors equalised after 67 minutes when central defender Michael Dawson headed in Jermaine Jenas's free kick.
West Ham remain 10th in the standings with 19 points while Tottenham, with only two league wins all season, remain just two points above the relegation zone. Arsenal moved three points clear at the top on Saturday with a 2-0 home defeat of Wigan Athletic, while champions Manchester United lost 1-0 at Bolton Wanderers.
Homesters Fulham and Blackburn Rovers played to a 2-2 draw in a late game yesterday.