Goalkeeper Robert Green saved an injury-time penalty from Jermain Defoe to ensure West Ham earned a point in a thrilling clash at Upton Park.

Tottenham centre-half Michael Dawson had hauled Spurs level with a header in the 66th minute after a first-half blunder by Younes Kaboul had allowed Carlton Cole to open the scoring for the Hammers.

But former West Ham striker Defoe earned a controversial penalty when he was brought down by Lucas Neill in stoppage time but the Spurs striker's spot-kick was kept out by Green.

Tottenham began the game brightly and had a goal ruled out for offside as early as the fourth minute after goalkeeper Robert Green could only parry a shot from Jermaine Jenas into the path of Aaron Lennon.

The England winger tucked the ball away from eight yards but was immediately flagged offside.

Tottenham had a penalty appeal rejected in the seventh minute when Dimitar Berbatov appeared to be tripped inside the penalty area but referee Mike Riley was unimpressed.

In the 12th minute West Ham striker Carlton Cole found himself in the book for leading with his arm when challenging Gareth Bale.

Three minutes later West Ham defender George McCartney almost scored an own goal when he connected with a free-kick from Jenas but, much to his relief, the ball went inches wide.

But West Ham went in front in the 19th minute then they took full advantage of a dreadful defensive lapse by Tottenham's Younes Kaboul.

The Spurs centre-half tried to pass the ball upfield but his clearance hit Luis Boa Morte who burst into the penalty area before finding Nolberto Solano with a clever reverse pass.

Solano shaped to shoot home from an acute angle but instead cleverly laid the ball across the six-yard-box for the unmarked Carlton Cole to place into an empty net.

In the 23rd minute Hayden Mullens tested goalkeeper Paul Robinson with an 18-yard drive which the England stopper had to collect at the second attempt.