Jermain Defoe missed a stoppage-time penalty against his former club as Tottenham drew 1-1 with West Ham at Upton Park.

Spurs striker Defoe saw his 92nd-minute spot-kick palmed away by Robert Green in a thrilling finish to a frenetic, ill-tempered game.

It was terrific entertainment, but anyone wondering why English players fail at international level may have been offered a few clues by the indiscipline and tactical ineptitude on display.

Carlton Cole gave the Hammers a 20th-minute lead before Michael Dawson headed Spurs level midway through the second half.

Having been denied one penalty, the visitors were given a much less clear-cut spot-kick in the dying seconds, but West Ham old boy Defoe failed to hold his nerve.

Referee Mike Riley was always at the centre of things, showing seven yellow cards and awarding 33 free-kicks against the home side alone.

Dimitar Berbatov had an optimistic penalty shout turned down early on as Spurs started strongly, before Didier Zokora and Cole were quickly booked.

West Ham scored against the run of play following a terrible error by Younes Kaboul. The Frenchman gifted possession to Luis Boa Morte, who worked the ball - via Nolberto Solano - to Cole for a simple tap-in.

Spurs lost their rhythm entirely, with Kaboul in particular looking horribly out of his depth. He was left for dead by Boa Morte who tested Robinson with a close-range effort.

Five minutes before the break Robbie Keane lifted the ball past Green and looked to have been brought down, but referee Riley said play on.

It appeared a terrible decision, although perhaps justice was done as Keane should have been flagged offside. The Irishman remonstrated at length with Riley and was extremely lucky not to be carded for dissent.

The equalising goal came on 66 minutes when Green came for a Jermaine Jenas free-kick but did not get there, and Dawson glanced his header in off the underside of the bar.

It set up a terrific finish, with Cole, Dean Ashton and George McCartney all going close for the home side.

Just seconds were left when Defoe - whose every touch was booed - went down under a Lucas Neill challenge and Riley signalled penalty.

But Green atoned for his previous error and ensured the spoils from a tumultuous encounter were shared.

Alex Chick / Eurosport