Boa Morte injury increases problems for unhappy Zola

James Olley
29 Jul 2009

West Ham 0 Tottenham 1

Luis Boa Morte is facing a long spell on the sidelines after suffering suspected cruciate knee ligament damage in West Ham's pre-season defeat in Beijing today.

Tottenham won the match through Jermain Defoe's goal in the Barclays Asia Trophy semi-final but the match was overshadowed as Boa Morte was taken to hospital after a first-half collision with Benoit Assou-Ekotto.

While chasing a loose ball the 31-year-old appeared to accidentally tread on the Spurs defender before rupturing his knee as he tried to adjust his body.

Picture highlights: Spurs v West Ham

There was no malice in the incident and the bizarre circumstances of the injury were typified by the resultant free-kick going against Boa Morte for his original challenge.

Manager Gianfranco Zola said: "We don't know how bad it is but it is not looking very good. I am really sorry for him but we wait and he has gone to have a scan on his knee.

"Physically we need to catch up a little bit. I am not very happy - today we have not been as good as we could be."

Spurs dominated the match at the Workers Stadium but wayward finishing from ex-Hammer Defoe and Roman Pavlyuchenko prevented the scoreline from being far more comprehensive.

Fresh from their pre-season outings at Wembley last week, Spurs looked more advanced in their preparations and manager Harry Redknapp was delighted with his team's performance in humid conditions.

Jermain Defoe celebrates

He said: "We played fantastic stuff today and kept the ball well. We created a lot of chances and you wonder when you can't get one in if it is ever going to come but Jermain eventually scored so it was good. The lads have shown a good attitude."

Luka Modric captained a Spurs side which included Vedran Corluka and Tom Huddlestone at centre-back in the absence of Ledley King, Michael Dawson and Jonathan Woodgate through injury.

Kieron Dyer made a rare start for West Ham, who had Scott Parker and Mark Noble on the bench.

Noble replaced Boa Morte after just 11 minutes and was caught napping moments later when he gifted the ball to Jamie O'Hara.

The Spurs midfielder slipped the ball to Pavlyuchenko, who curled a shot around Robert Green only to strike the inside of the post.

Huddlestone flashed a long range free-kick wide before O'Hara bent a 25-yard effort past the upright with Green left motionless.

Spurs' goal threat continued after the break as Robbie Keane replaced Pavlyuchenko and Modric found himself through on goal only for Green to block well again.

Referee Andre Marriner booked both Noble and O'Hara after tempers briefly flared before Defoe got the breakthrough after shrugging off Julian Faubert and firing a shot that squeezed past Green to hand Spurs the advantage their play thoroughly deserved.

"It is always nice to get goals but the most important thing is working hard and getting the fitness up," said Defoe (celebrating his goal, left). "I could have had a few more but it's pre-season so I am sure the goals will come."

West Ham briefly rallied but the match drifted to its conclusion before a crowd which was just 10,000 at kick-off.

The attendance in the 70,161-capacity ground increased throughout the game ahead of Beijing Guoan's clash against Hull City.

Spurs will meet the winners of that match on Friday.

Picture highlights: Spurs v West Ham