Tottenham 1 WBA 0 - Defoe, At Last

It was a difficult night for Spurs against a very well organised and hard working West Brom team but a second half goal from Jermain Defoe gave Tottenham the win they required as they moved to within three points of Manchester United in second place in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 West Bromwich Albion 0

Scorer: Defoe

Team: Friedel; Walker, Gallas (Bassong), Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Van der Vaart, Sandro (Livermore) (Kranjcar), Modric, Bale; Adebayor, Defoe.  Subs (unused): Cudicini, Rose, Pavlyuchenko, Giovani

Jermain Defoe

It was hard work for Spurs at the end of a busy holiday period as they played their fourth game in twelve days but it was a 'must win' match at the start of a run of four home matches in January with only one away trip.  A crucial period in Tottenham's ambitions for the season as Harry Redknapp made one change in the team as Jermain Defoe returned in place of the injured Scott Parker who was missing his first League game since joining Spurs in August.  West Brom whose away results are better than their home record came with a much weakened team due to injury but a team that was was set up as expected to deny Spurs and to maintain their run of three away games without defeat where three late goals have seen them snatch the spoils.

Spurs started with an early burst that saw them win five corners in the first four minutes and West Brom who had clearly come to defend were content to hammer the ball out of defence for their lone striker to chase.  It was the sort of play a team would normally employ in the final moments of a game as they tried to defend a lead or hold a hard-earned point, not something you see from the opening minute.  West Brom weathered the early storm and with everyone back they frustrated Spurs who apart from the occasional flash rarely caused much concern for the visitors.  Rafael Van der Vaart saw Foster push a shot over but on most occasions a defender made a crucial tackle or block to deny Spurs a clear shot on target.  A Van der Vaart shot from the edge of the box was saved comfortably by Foster while Brad Friedel was occupied with collecting long punts upfield by either the goalkeeper or defenders.  West Brom were hoping that a lack of concentration by a Spurs defender would create a chance for them and on a couple of occasions it nearly came off but Spurs recovered quickly.

Spurs bright start quickly faded and it became a matter of trying to pick a way through the maze of resolute West Brom defenders who invariably got a foot in at the crucial moment.  Play continued as such to half-time with Jake Livermore replacing Sandro after thirty minutes because of injury.  Little changed after the interval as Spurs became increasingly frustrated at their own inability to put in that telling pass which would be the key to success.  Emmanuel Adebayor managed a clever flick on to Defoe but it came quickly to him and he blasted over.  West Brom continued to be satisfied with their game plan to harry and frustrate so Friedel continued to act as a ballboy collecting the backpass as Spurs started another attacking move.

At last, with just over the hour gone Spurs managed to put together possibly their only quick passing moivement of the evening and were rewarded with the goal.  Benoit Assou-Ekotto advanced on the left as he had done for much of the evening and played a quick pass to Van der Vaart on the edge of the area.  He played it wide to Gareth Bale who was on the left of the area and he quickly played it into the middle towards Defoe.  The move appeared to have broken down as Defoe's first touch saw the ball rear up into the air but with his back to goal and four or five defenders around him, Defoe quickly regained control, swivelled and shot into the far corner of the goal - relief for all in White Hart Lane.

West Brom weren't shaken out of their style of play by the goal although Friedel was called upon to make his first save of the evening saving at his near post.  An injury to William Gallas meant that he had to go off to be replaced by Sebastien Bassong and later a clash of heads between Younes Kaboul and Livermore reduced Spurs to nine men as they received attention.  It was at this point with over ten minutes remaining that the visitors realised that there might be something in the game for them.  Spurs were stretched defensively as they tried to reorganise to cope with the temporary situation and it was Van der Vaart who showed unusual defensive attributes as he battled to stop a West Brom breakthrough.  Spurs survived, Kaboul returned and Niko Kranjcar replaced Livermore.

Encouraged, Friedel saved well from a powerful shot by substitute Somen Tchoyi and in the closing minutes West Brom won a series of corners which troubled Spurs and just as the visitors had done in the opening minutes the home side were quite happy to clear the ball anywhere to get it out of danger.  Spurs held on and played out five minutes of added time to take the three points.  

Spurs have moved within three points of Manchester United and stay six behind City who defeated Liverpool.  Chelsea are five points behind Spurs in fourth with Arsenal a further point behind, although Spurs have their match in hand over both London clubs and City.

On paper the home fixtures that Spurs have in January look 'easy' but that match showed what they will be like.  All three teams will come to defend and try to snatch something from the game - Spurs have been introduced to the tactics that they can expect through the month and it will require patience and hard work to breakdown resolute defences with only one thought - to survive and deny Tottenham the chance to impose their style of play on the game.

A week to rest and recover ahead of the Everton match which will be of benefit to the players who looked weary and not as sharp as they have been with tired bodies and minds as the busy holiday period took its toll.  A Happy New Year start to 2012 for Spurs - it wasn't the exciting football that they've played earlier in the season but the important thing was that they took the three points and at the moment anything continues to be possible for Spurs.

Tottenham v West Bromwich Albion Preview

It was only five weeks ago that Spurs went to The Hawthorns and returned with three points from a 3 - 1 success.  With the Premier League at the half-way point, West Brom come to White Hart Lane for the first of the return fixtures.  This is the start of a very important period in the season for Tottenham with four home League games in January and only one away, at Manchester City.  By the end of the month  we will have a greater indication of what Tottenham's goals will be for the rest of the season. 

West Bromwich Albion arrive at Spurs for the first match of 2012 on the back of two contrasting home results.  They denied Manchester City a win in a well-drilled performance on Boxing Day but lost to a late goal from Everton on Sunday afternoon in what was reported to be a drab game to quickly erase from the memory bank.  Since losing to Spurs at the end of November, they have taken only one home point from three games but are undefeated on their travels.

West Brom have little over forty eight hours to recover from that game before taking to the White Hart Lane pitch but it is their away form which is keeping them in the relative mid-table security of 12th with 22 points.  They have earned 14 points on their travels from four wins, two draws and three defeats at Chelsea (1 - 2), Swansea (0 - 3) and Arsenal (0 - 3).  They have won their last two away matches at Newcastle (3 - 2) at the start of the holiday games and at Blackburn Rovers (2 - 1) four days earlier.
 
Their last visit to London at the beginning of December saw them take a point from a 1 - 1 draw with QPR.  All three of those games featured late West Brom goals to snatch the points - Shane Long scored in the 81st minute to earn the point at Loftus Road, Peter Odemwingie scored after 89 minutes against Blackburn and Paul Scharner's winner against Newcastle came five minutes from time.

A month earlier, their only away game in November saw them lose at the Emirates.  They also lost at Chelsea in their first away game of the season but followed that with a single goal successs at Norwich.  They then lost at Swansea but earned a point at Sunderland (2 - 2) and defeated Aston Villa 2 - 1 in the Midlands derby.

While West Brom have scored late goals in recent games, they have also scored the highest percentage of their goals in the first half - 63%, more than any other club.   Earlier in the season they scored at Chelsea after four minutes, scored the only goal at Norwich after three and were two up at Sunderland within five minutes.  Food for thought for Harry Redknapp as he prepares the team as West Brom are sure to be well organised and determined to deny Spurs space while still looking for a goal opportunity for themselves.  Team selection is always difficult to predict during the holiday games with injuries and squad rotation coming into play but Roy Hodgson is the master tactician in setting up his team to defend, deny and frustrate the opposition and Spurs can rest assured that whoever plays they will be fully committed to carry out the manager's plan.

Shane Long is the leading scorer with 5 goals while Peter Odemwingie has four.  Chris Brunt has two goals as has Scharner, Jerome Thomas, James Morrison and Marc-Antoine Fortune.

They Played for Spurs and West Brom: Read more

Spurs' Home League Record against WBA 

P  58  W  28  D  16  L  14  For  100  Ag  61 

Last Season's Match
23rd April, 2011  PL  Draw 2 - 2  Pavlyuchenko, Defoe
Spurs looked to have earned the three points until a late strike from Simon Cox, nine minutes from time.  It was his first Premier League goal and denied Spurs after Roman Pavlyuchenko had equalised Odemwingie's early goal, before half-time.  Jermain Defoe scored his 100th Spurs goal in the second half but Cox's spectacular strike cut short Tottenham's celebrations.

Previous PL Meetings at White Hart Lane
2nd May, 2009  PL  Won 1 - 0  Jenas 
A Jermaine Jenas goal, two minutes before half-time earned the three points for Spurs.  Heurelho Gomes, Jonathan Woodgate and Ledley King played their part in the win by keeping a clean sheet with important saves and a good defensive display.

27th March, 2006  PL  Won 2 - 1  Keane (2) (1 pen)
West Brom had taken a first half lead and it wasn't until twenty minutes from time that Robbie Keane equalised.  The game looked to be heading for a draw until the final minute's drama when the visiting goalkeeper, Thomasz Kuszczak, messed up a clearance and then fouled Defoe as he tried to recover the situation.  Keane coolly put away the penalty with one minute remaining.  

20th April, 2005  PL  Draw 1 - 1 Keane
A first half goal from Gera puts the visitors ahead only for Keane to get a second half equaliser.

8th December, 2002  PL  Won 3 - 1  Ziege, Keane, Poyet
Chritian Ziege put Spurs ahead after three minutes from a free-kick on the edge of the area and Keane added a second after half an hour but West Brom were the better team in their first visit since 1986.  the visitors pulled a goal back in the second half but Gus Poyet made the points secure with ten minutes remaining.

The Previous Meeting
8th March, 1986  1st Div.  Won 5 - 0  Mabbutt, Falco (2), Galvin, Waddle

Earlier this Season
26th Nov.  PL  Won 3 - 1  Adebayor (2), Defoe  Match Report and Preview

Tottenham are looking to increase the pressure on the two Manchester clubs with their run of four Premier League home games this month.  They need to start with a win to build the momentum for a challenge on the top two clubs and to distance themselves from the pursuing pack.  It has been a hectic period for all clubs but with two away games following the high intensity of the local derby against Chelsea, it has been particularly draining on the Spurs players.  Clubs around them have slipped up at less obvious hurdles so Spurs will want to ensure maximum points from this match.

The results in the coming month will not determine Spurs' season but they will give an indication of their goals and what they will be competing for in the final four months of the season.

West Brom 1 Tottenham 3

Tottenham maintained their unbeaten run with a hard-earned but thoroughly deserved win against an Albion side who made them fight all the way.  All square at half-time after Adebayor had equalised an early Albion strike, it took two late goals from Defoe and Adebayor to ensure the three points which consolidate Tottenham's third place, two points behind Manchester United with a match in hand.

West Bromwich Albion 1 Tottenham Hotspur 3

Scorers:  Mulumbu     Adebayor (2), Defoe   

Team: Friedel; Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Parker, Sandro (Livermore), Bale; Adebayor, Defoe. Subs (unused): Cudicini, Gallas, Bassong, Pienaar, Fredericks, Kane 

Jermain Defoe

This is not a repeat of Monday's report on Emmanuel Adebayor but of his contribution to Tottenham's victory at The Hawthorns.  However, just as on Monday evening, Adebayor scored twice but could have had many more if he had been clinical in front of goal.  Tottenham were forced to make two changes to the team that has played in the last three Premier League games - Rafael Van der Vaart as had been expected hadn't travelled with the team due to injury but the absence of Luka Modric because of illness was a shock.  Sandro and Jermain Defoe came into the team.

Albion started brightly and were quicker to the ball, giving Spurs no chance to dwell on the ball or pick their pass.  However, the first moment of danger came when Sandro shot from the edge of the box and Foster fumbled the ball away for a corner.  Early Tottenham corners were cleared but then from a long ball from Foster Albion worked an opportunity with Mulumbu heading them into the lead after ten minutes.

Albion's speed to the ball was giving Spurs no time and their hustling style put the defenders under constant pressure and at times Spurs' defending was looking rather shaky with Kaboul who has been impressive in recent games finding life more difficult today.  Spurs were still looking dangerous when they put their passing game together but Albion knew they had to work hard to snuff out the danger.  Foster saved from a Lennon cross, then Sandro was booked for a foul challenge.

Spurs drew level following good work by Adebayor and Aaron Lennon.  Adebayor's flick released Lennon to run into the penalty area where he was brought down.  Adebayor took the penalty but Foster saved.  The ball came back to Adebayor who managed to score.

As the game approached half-time, it became quite feisty as first Sandro fouled Mulumbu who was booked for waving an imaginary card at the referee.  Then Albion claimed a penalty following a tussle between Thomas and Walker in the area.  Tottenham's defence came under pressure and didn't handle it comfortably with Friedel called upon to make a couple of saves - Albion even claiming he'd carried the ball over from a cross.  Foster again saved from Adebayor and Defoe had a shot blocked in the final minutes of the half.

After the interval Albion again started brightly but Tottenham were more prepared for this and didn't dwell on the ball as much - keeping their passing and movement at a higher tempo.  The defence coped better with Albion's hustling tactics and gradually Spurs began to create chance sand dominate but without getting a vital breakthrough. 

There was always a threat from Albion as they attacked at pace but Spurs coped and Friedel made some comfortable catches and saves. In the final twenty minutes Spurs increased their effort for another goal.  Adebayor had opportuniies saved or just wide, Defoe's shot was blocked as the game went from end to end.  With ten minutes remaining Spurs broke from defence, Adebayor on the left, released Defoe on the halfway line who raced towards the Albion area as defenders back-pedalled. From the edge of the he fired past Foster to give Spurs the advantage.

Albion made a final effort but Spurs were controlled and on the break should have added further goals through Adebayor and Bale before Bale got away again in the final minute and set up Adebayor for his second and Tottenham's third.

Spurs worked hard to overcome a very hard-working and organised Albion team who looked to put their opponents under pressure at every opportunity and attacked with pace and energy.  They will feel they could have taken something from the game but in the end this 'new' Spurs were able to produce what was required to take the three points for their second Premier League win at The Hawthorns and win their 100th away game in the Premier League.

Tottenham have consolidated their third place in the League and have reduced the gap on Manchester United to two points as they drew at home to Newcastle United.  Spurs have won nine of their last ten matches to give them their best start to a season since 1960 - 61.  They still have their match in hand and are showing an overall improvement of nine points in comparison with the similar fixtures last year.  Spurs are marching on and face PAOK Salonika in the Europa League on Wednesday evening with Bolton Wanderers the visitors to White Hart Lane next Saturday.

Tottenham's Record at West Brom

Spurs' games against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns have proved difficult for them in the past.  Spurs look to extend their undefeated Premier League run which has stretched to nine games while Albion are in mid-table in tenth place.

West Bromwich Albion had a difficult start to the season with opening matches against Manchester United and at Chelsea.  They lost both in close games and then lost at home to Stoke.  Their first win came in mid-September at Norwich before losing by three goals at Swansea.  They then drew with Fulham and at Sunderland before defeating their Midlands neighbours, Wolverhampton Wanderers at home and Aston Villa at Villa Park.  A home defeat to Liverpool was followed by a loss at Arsenal.  Last weekend they defeated Bolton (2 - 1) at the Hawthorns. 

Shane Long is their leading scorer with 4 goals, while Peter Odemwingie has two.  They have scored only five goals in six home games, conceding six from two wins over Wolves and Bolton and a draw against Fulham.  Their home defeats have been against Manchester United, Stoke and Liverpool.  Every home game has been close with only Liverpool managing to gain a two goal advantage.  This is in line with Roy Hodgson's style of management.  He presents his team in a way which makes them difficult to beat - hard-working and well organised, while able to break quickly and use set-pieces to their advantage.

During the summer West Bromwich strengthened their squad by signing a number of players at a minimum of expense.  Irish forward Shane Long came from Reading for an undisclosed fee.  Hungarian and former Tottenham reserve goalkeeper  Marton Fulop and Northern Ireland defender Gareth McAuley were signed on free transfers from Ipswich Town.  Hungarian midfielder Zoltan Gera was a free transfer from Fulham and goalkeeper Ben Foster came on loan from Birmingham City.  Midfielder Billy Jones was a free transfer from Preston.  Albion have an experienced line-up but can call upon talented younger players, especially in central defence with Craig Dawson who has been very impressive with the England Under-21 side this year.

Tottenham and West Bromwich Albion have only met on five occasions at the Hawthorns in the Premier League due to Albion's tendency to win promotion and then get relegated the following season.  They avoided the drop last year after Roy Hodgson's arrival last February led to a revival which lifted them to an eleventh place finish, their highest for almost thirty years.

Tottenham's Away Premier League Record against West Brom:

P  5  W  1  D  2  L  2  For  5  Ag  8

League Record at The Hawthorns (inc. PL) 

P   58  W  14  D  10  L  34  For  73  Ag  122

As can be seen from the above statistics, The Hawthorns has never been a happy hunting ground for Spurs, something they will want to rectify on Saturday.  Their last win at The Hawthorns was in the first Premier League game to be played there between the two sides in season 2002 - 03.  Tottenham won 3 - 2 with Robbie Keane scoring twice and Teddy Sheringham getting one as Spurs completed the 'double' over their Midlands rivals.  Albion were relegated at the end of that season, having been absent from top flight football for sixteen years. 

Premier League Results at The Hawthorns

Apr. 2003  P  Won 3 - 2  Keane (2), Sheringham

Twice Albion who were already relegated took the lead but first Robbie Keane equalised on the stroke of half-time and then Teddy Sheringham scored two minutes after West Brom had regained the lead.  Keane's second goal came with five minutes left.  Sheringham's strike was his last goal for the club.

Aug. 2004  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Defoe

Gera gave Albion the lead after three minutes but Jermain Defoe levelled after 34 minutes.  Both clubs maintained their undefeated start to the new season.

Dec. 2005  PL  Lost  0 - 2

More festive disappointment for Tottenham's travelling fans as tow goals, one in each half, from Kanu saw them suffer their first defeat in seven games. 

Dec. 2008  PL  Lost 0 - 2

Tottenham had Benoit Assou-Ekotto sent off ten minutes before half-time but held out until late in the game before conceding two goals in the final seven minutes.

Sept. 2010  PL  Draw 1 - 1  Modric

Luka Modric gave Spurs an early lead but went off injured a few minutes later.  Chris Brunt equalised just before half-time and in the second half Spurs had goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini to thank for keeping them in the game.

In this period there was also an FA Cup 4th Round tie in January, 2005 which ended 1 - 1, Defoe scoring for Spurs who won the replay 3 - 1 with Defoe scoring twice.  Defoe has scored five goals for Tottenham against WBA in League and Cup matches.

Such is the intensity of competition at the top of the Premier League that no team can afford any slip-ups so having risen to third place Spurs need another win to be guaranteed of retaining that position.  West Bromwich will be difficult opponents - they made it hard for Manchester United earlier in the season and will be equally determined to put in a good performance against Spurs.  Tottenham will be looking to continue the impressive form of recent weeks and make the most of the chances they create so that Albion aren't given any encouragement or opportunity to deprive them of the points they require to continue their march towards the summit of the Premier League table.

8th March - Spurs in History

1961
Spurs 5 Sunderland 0 FA Cup 6th Round Replay

After the difficulties in the first game Spurs made sure in the replay at White Hart Lane.  Sunderland, in the 2nd Division, had made Spurs work hard the previous Saturday, but Spurs had little difficulty with the goals being scored by Dave Mackay, Bobby Smith, Les Allen and Terry Dyson (2) as they took another step towards that elusive 'Double'.

Next in the Semi-finals would be a massive game against the League Champions - Burnley, how times have changed.

1986
Spurs 5 WBA 0 1st Division

Gary Mabbutt, Mark Falco(2), Tony Galvin, Chris Waddle scored the goals.  January and February had been lean months for Spurs and they had just lost at home to Everton in the FA Cup, the previous weekend - 6 League games - no goals for and only 1 point - so this scoreline was a relief to the long suffering fans.

However, Peter Shreeve's tenure as manager was under threat.  The pressure of that losing sequence hadn't done him any favours and in spite of closing the season on a winning streak - losing once between this day and the end of season (recording 7 wins, 3 draws and 1 defeat) the team could only manage 10th position and he was sacked, to be replaced by David Pleat, the manager of Luton Town.