Performing heroics against a local rival is a surefire way in sport to guarantee a place in the hearts of your team’s supporters. In football there are numerous examples of players enjoying 90 minutes to remember in derby matches: Gary Rowell, Alan Sunderland, Ian Rush, Craig Bryson, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland – object lessons in how to win friends and influence people.
Another example of this could be found on the evening of 2 September 1981. The newly promoted West Ham went to White Hart Lane knowing the clash would be a significant examination of their ability to compete in the top flight. What followed was the stuff of dreams. A memorable night for the club and their No 9.
The early-80s were an exciting time for West Ham supporters. Despite starting the decade in Division Two, the club won the 1980 FA Cup, and the 1980-81 season brought more success. Losing just four matches in topping the second tier, John Lyall’s team also reached the League Cup final and the last eight of the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Promoted in April, Lyall’s record-breakers were confirmed as champions with a 5-1 win at Grimsby. The centre-forward David Cross scored four goals at Blundell Park taking his league tally to 22 goals and his season total to 33 in all competitions. For the much-travelled Cross, promotion and the golden boot gave him a season to be cheerful.
If Cross wanted to confirm his cult status at the club then he chose the ideal fixture on West Ham’s return to Division One. Without a goal since his four goals at Grimsby, Cross ended his drought by repeating this feat at the home of one of West Ham’s biggest rivals.
Prior to the opening match of the season, Lyall was positive about the campaign ahead: “We have nothing to worry about. There are seven internationals plus proven men like Paul Goddard, David Cross and Geoff Pike. That can’t be bad.” Denied three points after conceding a late penalty against Brighton at Upton Park, West Ham’s made the short trip to FA Cup holders Tottenham five days later.
Tottenham had been mentioned in some season previews as potential title contenders. Bringing in Ray Clemence from Liverpool, Keith Burkinshaw’s side shared the Charity Shield with Aston Villa before winning their opening league match 3-1 at Middlesbrough. But in what would be a marathon 66-match season, injuries were already taking their toll.
Missing Chris Hughton, Ossie Ardiles, Steve Archibald and Garth Crooks for the visit of West Ham, Tottenham were further hampered when the defender Paul Price was forced off at half-time. Although they were missing the experience of Trevor Brooking, West Ham took full advantage in front of a crowd of 41,200.
West Ham’s night to remember started in the 10th minute when a Jimmy Neighbour cross from the right found its way to Cross at the far post. From six yards out, Cross – known as “Psycho” to West Ham supporters – swept a right-footed shot past Clemence. It was the start of a torrid night for the new Spurs keeper.
In fairness, Clemence could do little to prevent Cross’s next two goals. Five minutes into the second half, a Ray Stewart cross found Steve Perryman and Paul Miller wanting, allowing Cross to instinctively poke a right-footed effort past Clemence before he could react. If that goal had been a little scrappy, there could be no doubting the quality of West Ham’s third.
Cross would later describe his hat-trick goal as “possibly the best I’ve ever scored”, and although a closer inspection shows that he may have shinned his volley past Clemence, it was still a spectacular strike. A pass from Frank Lampard Sr found Paul Goddard who volleyed first time to Pike on West Ham’s left. Pike’s cross with his first touch found Cross who volleyed past Clemence from just inside the box.
The watching England manager, Ron Greenwood, enjoyed Cross’ third, describing it as a possible goal of the season contender, and West Ham and their fans packed behind Clemence’s goal were in the mood for more. Pike and Goddard both wasted chances to add a fourth, but it was fitting that Cross would have the final say.
After Clemence fumbled when contesting with Goddard, Pike crossed to the same man who then saw his shot blocked. Inevitably the ball dropped perfectly for Cross who bundled home to put the cherry on top of the cake. Tottenham 0-4 Psycho.
Cross was delighted to have got off the mark early on in the campaign, with him and his club hoping to establish themselves back at the top table of football. “I think a start like I got against Tottenham will give me the confidence I will need for the rest of the season because it’s given me that foothold with four goals straight away to build from there.”
The newspaper headlines were naturally dominated by the man of the moment: “Spurs fall in Cross fire”, “Spurs go crashing to Cross”, “Four-goal Cross gives Spurs home hammering”, “Crossed out”. The four-goal hero described the occasion as “a special night for me, for the team and the fans”. Cross would also prove to be as charitable as the Tottenham defence.
“I was given the match ball,” Cross said. “But I have made a present of it to our keeper Phil Parkes. He is never in a position to score a hat-trick and the last time I scored three I promised I would give him the next ball I earned.” Three days later, Cross scored against Sunderland to put West Ham top of the early season table. It could not last but these were heady times for West Ham fans.
West Ham remained undefeated until a loss at champions Aston Villa on 17 October, but Lyall would lead the club to a respectable ninth place finish come the end of the season. Cross scored 16 league goals in what would be his one and only season playing for West Ham in the top flight, including a goal in his last match for the club against Wolves.
The 30-year-old had already played a key part in the revival of West Ham in the early-80s. Yet his four goals at Tottenham in September 1981 cemented his standing at the club. Cross “left Tottenham staring at their boots in embarrassment” in the words of the Guardian’s David Lacey. For anyone associated with West Ham, heads could be held high after Psycho’s night.