Tottenham On This Day: Spurs Score Five Against West Ham In League Cup
By Logan Holmes
Tottenham On This Day:
2nd February, 1987
Clive Allen Hat-trick In League Cup Triumph
Tottenham Hotspur 5 West Ham United 0 (League Cup 5th Round Replay)
Scorers: Allen, C. (3, 1 pen), Claesen, Hoddle
Team: Clemence; Thomas, D., Thomas, M.; Ardiles, Gough, Mabbutt; Allen, C., Allen, P., Waddle, Hoddle, Claesen
This Littlewoods Cup replay against West Ham was required after the two sides had drawn 1 – 1 at Upton Park the previous week. Clive Allen had put Spurs ahead 7 minutes before the interval but the home team drew level immediately after the break in the 48th minute.
The replay saw Spurs produce a top class performance with Ossie Ardiles and Glenn Hoddle in control, producing some very attractive football.
After six minutes Ardiles created the opening goal for Nico Claesen who had come into the team in place of Tony Galvin. From that point on, Spurs dominated the game but it was not until the 71st minute that they increased their lead with a Hoddle shot from 20 yards.
In the last ten minutes Clive Allen who had a tremendous goalscoring season came into his own, completing a hat-trick in 9 minutes with a penalty after a foul on his cousin, Paul Allen.
The draw determined that Spurs would travel across London for the 5th Round game.
This is a game often remembered by those present as one of Spurs’ best displays of the season and the success set up a two-leg semi-final clash with North London neighbours, Arsenal.