On this day - 13 August

Classic match

West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
13 August 1997

Harry Redknapp's West Ham United side opened their home programme of fixtures in the 1997/98 season with a Wednesday night London derby against Tottenham Hotspur.

Having defeated Barnsley in their opening fixture at Oakwell, the Hammers sensed another three point haul and the majority of the 25,354 crowd would go home happy after a scintillating display.

Just four minutes had been played when John Hartson took advantage of some shocking defending to give West Ham the lead. Stephen Carr gave the ball away to Stan Lazaridis and the Australian winger crossed low for Hartson to knock home.

Ian Walker made point blank saves from Paul Kitson and Hartson as the Hammers threatened to run riot, and their deserved second finally arrived with 20 minutes left to play.

Lazaridis slipped a ball through to Eyal Berkovic, and the Israeli beat Ramon Vega before prodding beyond Walker for 2-0.

Les Ferdinand finished following an Andy Sinton cross to give Spurs hope seven minutes from the end, but the Hammers saw out time to make it six points from six - enough to push them to third place in the early league standings.

The Boleyn Ground would become a fortress for the Hammers that season, as they won 13 of 19 home games en route to a respectable eighth place finish

Complete record - 13 August

1997 West Ham United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Premier League)
2003 West Ham United 3-1 Rushden & Diamonds (Carling Cup Round One)
2005 West Ham United 3-1 Blackburn Rovers (Premier League)
2011 Doncaster Rovers 0-1 West Ham United (Championship)

Played 4, Won 4, Drawn 0, Lost 0, Scored 9, Conceded 3