Spurs beat West Ham to boost Champions League push

London:

Luka Modric marked his return to Tottenham's starting lineup by scoring in a 2-0 victory over West Ham on Monday that sent his team back into the Champions League places.

Modric, who has been restricted to two brief substitute appearances since breaking his right leg in August, scored in the 11th minute by sweeping Aaron Lennon's cross into the net.

Lennon also fed Jermain Defoe in 81st and the former West Ham striker fired home after keeper Robert Green parried his initial shot.

The victory lifted Tottenham to fourth in the Premier League standings, two points ahead of Aston Villa, which hosts Liverpool on Tuesday.

West Ham is a point above the relegation zone having played three more matches than 18th-place Bolton.

Later Monday, Chelsea was looking to extend its lead at the top by beating Fulham in a west London derby.