West Ham have won one league game since Curbishley took charge

The Hammers led 2-0 and 3-2 but ended up losing 4-3 as they edged closer to the Premiership's relegation trapdoor.

"Naive is the word," said Curbishley. "It is down to lack of confidence and mental toughness, knowing how to see a game out.

"We scored three and haven't taken anything. It's a huge disappointment."

Interview: West Ham boss Alan Curbishly

Interview: West Ham defender Lucas Neill

The Hammers are now 10 points from safety, with nine games to go, and are facing a run-in that includes fixtures against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Curbishley still harbours outside hopes of a miraculous escape and is desperate for a win to kickstart a recovery.

"We are going though every emotion," he said.

"Since I have been here we haven't managed to get a lift-off. You look at Charlton and Watford and see what a win has done for their confidence.

"A mid-table team would have won the game against Spurs.

I feel sorry for them but I shouldn't because they did not for us last year Tottenham boss Martin Jol

"We have got to keep going. We can't give up."

Tottenham boss Martin Jol said there was an element of revenge in his team's victory.

Spurs lost 2-1 at West Ham on the final day of last season to miss out on a Champions League place - and Jol said: "I feel sorry for them but I shouldn't because they did not for us last year.

"To come here and get a bit of revenge is a great feeling and I think the supporters enjoyed it as well."

Paul Stalteri scored a winner deep into injury time for Tottenham.

And Jol added: "It was a great game to be involved in.

"I felt we were a bit unfortunate when we were 2-0 down because we had had a few chances but Robert Green did terrifically well.

"But we came back and scored two good goals and I thought we were on top of them.

"Then they scored the third - but we always had the feeling we could get a result.

"We equalised but one point was not enough for us so it was probably the best win of the season."