Premier League: West Ham manager Slaven Bilic asks fans to be on best behaviour during London derby with Tottenham

 

West Ham boss has reiterated to Hammers fans the need to avoid clashes with London rivals Spurs when they meet in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

The clash between the two London sides has always been a fiercely contested one on the pitch, but incidents off the pitch have in the past overshadowed the occasion.

When the two sides met at White Hart Lane last November, a fan was stabbed prior to the game.

There have also been other incidents of violence between the two sets of fans, as well as anti-Semitic chants being aimed at Spurs fans some sections of West Ham fans.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Hammers manager Slaven Bilic said: "The message is I would like the fans to be behind us, to be behind the team, behind the club in a positive way."

"The fans are ambassadors of our club and they can show the world that we are big, great and a polite club."

The match takes on extra significance with both sides fighting at the top end of the table.

For West Ham it is a chance to close the gap to Manchester United in fifth, with the Hammers hoping to secure European football for their debut season at the Olympic Stadium.

Spurs meanwhile look all but assured a spot in the Champions League next season, and have set their sights even higher as they look to challenge for the Premier League title for the first time in a generation.