Pavlyuchenko proves his worth to Redknapp

Roman Pavlyuchenko proved his worth to Tottenham as the Russia striker came off the bench to clinch a 1-0 win over London rivals West Ham on Saturday.

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink, who works with Pavlyuchenko in his other role as Russia coach, had claimed earlier this week that Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was wrong to have left Pavlychenko out of his starting line-up so often this season.

Hiddink even insisted Pavlyuchenko would be welcome at Chelsea if Tottenham don’t want him. The Russian was a substitute again at White Hart Lane on Saturday, but he showed Hiddink may have a point as he netted the second half winner after coming on for Darren Bent.

Pavlyuchenko’s fifth league goal this season kept Tottenham in the hunt for a European place and moved them within three points of the seventh placed Hammers.

West Ham fans taunted Redknapp before kick-off but the former Hammers boss has never lost to his former club and his new side made the early running, with Aaron Lennon cutting inside before driving just over.

Spurs felt they should have had a penalty 20 minutes into the contest when Robbie Keane’s shot flicked up and struck James Tomkins’ arm but referee Martin Atkinson waved play on.

Atkinson was unmoved again two minutes later when Keane went over in the penalty area under a challenge from Luis Boa Morte.

Tottenham had another penalty appeal turned down when David Di Michele challenged Vedran Corluka and sent the Croatian tumbling.

Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green was called into action twice in a minute just after the half-hour mark, saving from Tom Huddlestone and then Keane.

Bent headed wide soon after before Heurelho Gomes saved at the near post from Di Michele at the other end.

Tottenham lost Jermaine Jenas to a foot injury at half-time and the England midfielder was replaced by Didier Zokora.

Redknapp made another change early in the second half when he sent on Pavlyuchenko for Bent.

Pavlyuchenko immediately got his head on Huddlestone’s free-kick but Green positioned himself perfectly.

Green then launched the ball upfield and found Di Michele, who raced through behind Jonathan Woodgate and saw his shot saved by Gomes.

But Tottenham took the lead in the 65th minute thanks to Pavlyuchenko. Luka Modric received the ball with his back to goal and squeezed a pass to Pavlyuchenko.

The Russian had to hold off James Collins before driving in a low shot that went past Green and into the far corner.

Kieron Dyer had West Ham’s best chance of an equaliser but he shot wide.

Tottenham could have had a second and it took a fine stop from Green to tip over a curling effort from Lennon before Keane had an effort cleared off the line.