Jack Collison reckons that West Ham have proved they can live with the top sides in the country – despite the derby defeat by Spurs

By JONATHAN CLEGG

Jack Collison reckons that West Ham have proved they can live with the top sides in the country - despite the club's derby defeat against Spurs.

The Hammers fell to a 2-1 loss at Upton Park as Tottenham capitalised on two errors to take the points.

Carlton Cole's 25-yard thunderbolt had put the home side ahead, but the striker's disastrous back-pass allowed Jermain Defoe to equalise and a late slip by Jonathan Spector handed Aaron Lennon the chance to snatch a late victory.

The outcome helped Spurs achieve their best start to the season for 49 years and sent Harry Redknapp's side to the top of the table, adding weight to the view that his �130m squad are capable of challenging for the Champions League.

But Collison insists that West Ham were unlucky to lose to their bitter rivals, who were struggling to find a way back into the match until Cole's crazy pass set them on their way.

And the 20-year-old midfielder has urged his team-mates to draw confidence from the display against the Premier League's form team.

He said: "It was a very disappointing result for us and the fans as well because it's a massive game and we definitely feel hard done by.

"But I think we can take a lot of heart from the performance because we were more than a match for Spurs.

"We played well, created the chances and maybe on another day we could've nicked the game or at least got a draw out of it."

Collison was twice denied as West Ham battled to get back into the game and the Wales international admits he is desperate for a first league goal of the campaign as the Hammers attempt to take the pressure off lone striker Cole.

"In the last two weeks, I've managed to get in the right positions but just haven't had that finishing touch.

"If I can start putting them away, maybe that can make the difference for the team in the future."

l Following this interview, it emerged that Jack Collison's father had died in a motorcycle accident on Sunday.

Ian Collison, 46, was on his way to see his son play against Spurs when he crashed near Epping.

Midfielder Collison bravely played in West Ham's Carling Cup victory against Millwall 48 hours later, while his team-mates wore black armbands.

Collison left the pitch in tears after helping the Hammers to a 3-1 win in a match marred by crowd violence.