West Ham boss Alan Curbishley admits he is in a "results business" but feels his board understand the injury crisis he has faced this season.

The Hammers' season is in danger of fizzling out following a third 4-0 loss in a row, with Tottenham the latest to hand out a heavy defeat after Chelsea and Liverpool last week.

The unwelcome hat-trick came after Dimitar Berbatov scored with two early headers and substitutes Gilberto and Darren Bent wrapped up the scoring at White Hart Lane.

Curbishley woke up to reports suggesting his job may be at risk, although he feels his board are sympathetic about the problems he has had with players missing during his first full campaign at the club.

"I think they are realistic about it but we'll have to see on that score because it's a results business," the Hammers boss said.

"Up until this week we hadn't been too bad so we'll have to bounce back."

He added: "We're in football and nothing surprises anybody but I would have thought (they would understand). They are realistic about what has gone on. They get the update every Monday of the injury situation.

"Any other team that has had six or seven out every week would find it difficult. You can see the difference in teams with settled sides."

Anton Ferdinand failed to track Berbatov for the first two goals, then hopes of a comeback were dashed when Luis Boa Morte was dismissed for two bookings.

Curbishley was upset at Jonathan Spector being penalised for the free-kick leading up to the opener, but he had no complaints with Boa Morte's red card just before the break.

"We took two wallopings going into the game and I asked for more aggression and application," he said.

"He has been done for persistence.

"Luis put a whole-hearted performance in but he's on thin ice and has to make sure he gets to half-time. He hasn't and that has killed us off a bit."

Gilberto made his Premier League debut when he came off the bench and he scored with a finish on the turn, then Bent headed in the fourth in stoppage-time.

Spurs head coach Juande Ramos was pleased with his side's response after two defeats since winning the Carling Cup.

"The goals made it easier and we were in control for a large part of the match," said the Spaniard.

"It was important to have a victory to recover people's confidence."

The only negative aspect of the afternoon was Jonathan Woodgate taking a knock to his foot and calf and getting taken off as a precaution.

Sporting Life / Eurosport