Spurs too strong for Hammers in Beijing

Tottenham Hotspur continued their pre-season programme with a narrow victory over West Ham in front of a healthy crowd in Beijing.

Despite dominating possession and creating all of the best chances, it was only in the 76th minute that Jermain Defoe secured the three points, with a tame shot that crept under Robert Green's hand and rolled into the net.

The winning 1-0 scoreline did not, however, reflect Spurs' total dominance over their fellow Londoners, who barely created a decent chance all game.

Redknapp decided to keep the line-up similar to that which lost out to Celtic. He decided, however, to start with three players who play predominantly at right-back. Hutton started in his favoured position, Kyle Naughton made his first-team debut in front of Hutton on the right flank, and Corluka lined up with Tom Huddlestone in central defence again.

Keane and Jenas were rested as O'Hara had a chance to impress alingside Palcios in midfield and Pavlyuchenko partnered Defoe in the absence of Peter Crouch.

The Russian international had the opening half's best chance when he was played through by Modric - but curled his shot past Green and back off the far post.

Naughton looked very competent starting in place of Lennon and fired over early on, before flashing two ball across the goal and agonisingly out of reach of Defoe and then Keane.

Defoe wrapped up the victory nevertheless when he was played through on goal by a simple pass from Robbie Keane.

Spurs now face Hull City on Friday, after the Yorkshire side defeated Beijing Gu'oan on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

It appears that this may provide a chance for Redknapp to run his eye over defensive stalwart Michael Turner, who has been mentioned as possible cover for King, Woodgate and Dawson in central defence. It is thought that Spurs could offer Chimbinda plus £3 million for the yound Englishman.