Exclusive interview with Mark Noble: West Ham legend discusses the intense rivalry between the club and Tottenham.

In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, West Ham legend Mark Noble shared his standout memories of facing rivals Tottenham Hotspur. As West Ham prepare to host Spurs in a highly-anticipated clash, Noble reflected on the significance of this fixture for both sets of supporters.

Noble, who retired from football in 2022 after making 550 appearances for his boyhood club, revealed that the rivalry with Spurs always held a special place in his heart. He stated that while Arsenal may have been successful in winning titles, there was something about facing Tottenham that made it a bigger rivalry for him.

“I loved the rivalry, I loved playing in those games,” Noble expressed. He even admitted that he would often tell his teammates that they didn’t need a team talk for these matches because the importance of winning against Spurs was ingrained in him as a West Ham fan.

Recalling West Ham’s 1-0 victory over Tottenham in April 2019, Noble revealed a disagreement in the changing room after the match. He explained that the players wanted to take a photo together to celebrate the win, but Noble refused because he believed that beating Spurs should be expected and not celebrated excessively.

Noble also reminisced about West Ham’s 3-0 win at White Hart Lane in 2013, highlighting Ravel Morrison’s spectacular solo goal as a standout moment. He shared a humorous anecdote about trying to spot a Spurs fan friend in the crowd during the match but getting “hammered” by Tottenham supporters after setting up a goal.

However, it wasn’t all positive memories for Noble. He mentioned a missed penalty against Spurs in August 2014, which was followed by Eric Dier’s stoppage-time winner on his debut for Tottenham. Noble described it as the worst moment at the time but also acknowledged that it served as a valuable lesson for him.

Looking ahead to the upcoming clash between West Ham and Tottenham, Noble emphasized the significance of the match for both teams. West Ham are just outside the top six, while Tottenham are aiming for a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. The game promises to be a thrilling encounter for both sets of supporters.

To watch the West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur match, fans can tune in to TNT Sports 1 with coverage starting at 19:30 on Tuesday, April 2. The match will be part of a week of Premier League action live on TNT Sports and discovery+. Fans can also find local establishments showing TNT Sports using the Pub Finder tool.