West Ham United legend Tony Cottee made a sensational start to his Claret and Blue career in the Hammers' 3-0 First Division win over Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day 1983.
Then just 17, Forest Gate-born Cottee reacted with the predatory instinct that would serve him so well during his career, racing in to head past Spurs goalkeeper Ray Clemence after Dave Swindlehurst's initial effort had come back off the crossbar.
Scoring the opener against Spurs in a 3-0 win ✅
— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 1, 2023
Debuts don't get much better than Tony Cottee's! 🔥
🗓️ #OnThisDay in 1983 | @Heineken_UK pic.twitter.com/jEN94KdvwI
Geoff Pike and Ray Stewart, from the penalty spot, were also on target to ensure the home fans among the 33,383 present at the Boleyn Ground went home happy exactly 40 years ago!
Cottee went on to score 146 goals in 336 appearances for the Club across two spells, helping the Hammers finish third in the First Division in 1985/86 and became a full England international.
Watch Cottee send Upton Park wild on his debut once again right here!
