Spurs Reaction

Last updated : 16 April 2002 By Mike Reich
Pearce: Sweet Shot
Ian Pearce last scored a goal against for the Hammers against Manchester City on Remembrance Day 2000. I think though, that this one will be slightly more memorable.

"I knew I had hit it sweet, and to be fair I was just pleased for us to get a result there," Ian told the club's site.

The ball sailed from his left foot into the top left corner of Keller's goal, and earned the Hammers a share of the spoils at White Hart Lane.

Ian continued "It was important to me getting in the team and I wanted to do something to justify my being in it. All I can say is that I enjoyed it thoroughly. I enjoyed it too much. I was too tired to try and block their last shot - and I should have got a bit of a telling off for that! But I'm due that one anyway."

Hammers boss Glenn Roeder commented, "Someone asked Ian afterwards if that was the best goal he has ever scored - and someone else asked if it was the only goal he has ever scored!"

However, Glenn was keen to point out that Ian is not a shy goal scorer. It is something that comes naturally to him, inasmuch as he was a striker at previous clubs. In fact, Harry Redknapp even used him as such whilst at West Ham.

"When I first knew Ian he was a striker for Chelsea's youth team, and when we play small sided games in training he often scores a lot of goals, so I was not surprised, but I don't think he has scored one as spectacular as that."

Regarding the game itself, Glenn said: "But I thought we deserved the goal and as the away manager I think it was a fair result."