Tottenham Hotspur defender Paul Stalteri scored his only goal of the 2007/08 season in dramatic fashion. His injury time strike finally settled an entertaining encounter between two London rivals.

It was the home side, however, who had looked the more likely victors just minutes before the Canadian international sent shockwaves through East London.

But in the dying minutes of the match, Dimitar Berbatov scored from a free-kick before Stalteri hit home with just seconds remaining.

West Ham got off to a positive start, in a new-look side that featured January signings Lucas Neill, who captained the side, and Matthew Upson, returning from injury to play his first match in four weeks.

But the home team were dealt an early blow as Upson limped off after just eleven minutes, with a suspected calf injury, the same injury that had restricted the £7million man to just 40 minutes play since his move from Birmingham City.

Argentinean striker Carlos Tevez looked dangerous in front of goal, as did midfielder Noble, who forced an early save from Paul Robinson. And it was Noble who opened the scoring after 16 minutes, with his first Barclays Premiership goal. Tevez guided a Paul Konchesky cross in to Noble's path, and the young midfielder's shot went through the legs of Tottenham defender Michael Dawson en route to the back of the net.

Despite going behind, Tottenham put the home side under pressure, with goalkeeper Robert Green making a series of outstanding saves to maintain his side's advantage.

And West Ham managed to double their lead after Tevez was awarded a free-kick after being fouled by Dawson. Tevez coolly converted to score his first goal for the Hammers, in his 20th appearance.

After the break, the visitors brought on Tom Huddlestone, whose pass to Aaron Lennon forced a foul from Lee Bowyer in the penalty box in the 51st minute. Former Hammer Jermain Defoe stepped up to take the spot kick and reduced the visitors' deficit.

Having scored just minutes after the restart, the momentum was with Tottenham and they went in search of an equaliser, which they found after 63 minutes. A Berbatov cross, guided by Lennon found Tainio, whose volleyed shot was on target for the equaliser.

After a frantic start to the second half, the match settled down until the 85th minute, when Bobby Zamora headed home and looked to have got the winner.

Instead, his strike sparked another comeback from a resilient Tottenham side, who scored either side of the ninety minute mark. Berbatov's strike gave the visitors their second equaliser, before a shot from Jermain Defoe was parried by Robert Green, only to be slotted home by Stalteri four minutes in to injury time.

After such a dramatic turnaround, West Ham manager Alan Curbishley was clearly disappointed as the full-time whistle was sounded just seconds after Stalteri's strike, although he remained positive about maintaining the club's Premier League status. He said:

"Naive is the word. It is down to lack of confidence and mental toughness, knowing how to see a game out.

"We scored three and haven't taken anything. It's a huge disappointment.

"We have got to keep going. We can't give up."

Martin Jol hailed the victory "the best win of the season" after watching his Tottenham side comeback twice. He said:

"It was a great game to be involved in.

"I felt we were a bit unfortunate when we were 2-0 down because we had had a few chances but Robert Green did terrifically well.

"But we came back and scored two good goals and I thought we were on top of them.

"Then they scored the third - but we always had the feeling we could get a result.

"We equalised but one point was not enough for us so it was probably the best win of the season."

Following the match, Tottenham went on to secure a place in the following season's Uefa cup competition and finish fifth in the Barclays Premier League for the second time in two seasons. West Ham turned their fortunes around, remarkably winning seven of their remaining nine matches of the season to avoid what had looked like almost certain relegation.

West Ham: Green, Neill, Upson (Davenport 11), Ferdinand, Konchesky, Bowyer, Noble, Quashie (Blanco 80), Etherington (Zamora 83), Tevez, Harewood.
Subs Not Used: Walker, Spector.

Goals: Noble 16, Tevez 41, Zamora 85.

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda (Taarabt 87), Dawson, Gardner, Young-Pyo Lee, Lennon, Jenas (Stalteri 57), Tainio, Ghaly (Huddlestone 46), Defoe, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Rocha.

Goals: Defoe 51 pen, Tainio 63, Berbatov 89, Stalteri 90.