Tottenham Denied Win by Late West Bromwich Albion Goal

For seventy five minutes Tottenham’s performance  suggested that they deserved the three points that Benoit Assou-Ekotto’s deflected shot appeared to have given them against West Bromwich Albion but with their defensive display in the final minutes they were fortunate to take a point from the game.

Tottenham Hotspur 1 West Bromwich Albion 1

Scorers: Assou-Ekotto                                  Morrison

Team: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Sandro (Sigurdsson), Livermore; Lennon, Van der Vaart (Adebayor), Bale, Defoe (Jenas) Subs: (unused) Cudicini, Naughton, Caulker, Townsend

Tottenham started with Jan Vertonghen making his debut in central defence in place of the injured Younes Kaboul and Rafael Van der Vaart replaced Gylfi Sigurdsson. Steven Caulker was included in the substitutes. Spurs started the better and had three good scoring chances in the opening fifteen minutes but failed to make them count or even test the goalkeeper. Spurs first shot on target in a half they dominated didn’t come until just before half-time and even that was only a routine save from Ben Foster.

In the opening minute Van der Vaart sent Gareth Bale away on the left – he cut in but his shot was wide. Again, Van der Vaart released Bale who went on and put in a cross which came to Lennon on the edge of the box but he miscued his shot  from a good position. After ten minutes Vertonghen misjudged a high ball in midfield but Sandro was covering to clear. Sandro and Livermore were working hard to create as well as covering others and tidying up in midfield, stepping in and collecting any loose balls as Tottenham retained possession.

After fifteen minutes it was Lennon, on the right, who turned provider as he played the ball in for Van der Vaart but his shot went past the post. Spurs continued to be more creative and attack conscious as Vertonghen brought the ball out of defence and played a one-two with Bale on the left. He took the ball on delivered a cross which was cleared to Vertonghen who had continued his run into the penalty area but it wasn’t to be  a dream debut goal as he ballooned his shot over the bar.

The 26th minute round of applause as a tribute to Ledley King started as Lennon’s shot from a Bale cross was blocked and ended with Bale making a run in to the area but going down under pressure. With ten minutes to the interval a direct free-kick by Van der Vaart was well struck but went over the bar. Spurs dealt comfortably with any rare Albion forward movement and it was only in the final moments before half-time that they started to show any real attacking intent. Then, in the final minute of the half, Jermain Defoe had a low shot which was straight at the goalkeeper.

Ledley King was introduced to the spectators at half-time and given a tremendous reception by fans when he stepped onto the pitch.

The second half continued much as the first had done although there was a little more attacking threat by Albion but nothing to unsettle the home defence. A Lennon shot was saved and then Van der Vaart found Bale at the back with a lovely pass over the top, Bale controlled the ball but put his shot over. Spurs continued to press with Assou-Ekotto shot from a free-kick being tipped over by Foster. Brad Friedel was called into action for the first time, getting down low to a Dorrians shot.

On the hour, Emmanuel Adebayor was introduced to replace Van der Vaart who had created much of what had been good by Spurs, Albion also brought on a striker, Romelu Lukaku, a move which eventually was to be very influential on the course of the match. Defoe had a ‘goal’ disallowed for offside and then Lukaku forced Friedel into making a save as Albion used his pace and strength to good effect, looking to put the ball forward to him at every opportunity.

Fosterwas fortunate to save a shot by Bale and from the corner on 72 minutes by Sigurdsson which was cleared to Assou-Ekotto twenty five yards out, his shot took a deflection to leave the goalkeeper wrong-footed and Spurs had the goal their play deserved. The assist for the goal was Sigurdsson’s first action as he had replaced Sandro and came on to immediately take the corner.

Albion sent on players with a greater attacking intent and Spurs replaced Defoe with Jermaine Jenas but it was Lukaku who was causing William Gallas and Vertonghen untold problems. At every chance he ran at the two defenders who were at a loss as how to stop him and Spurs’ erstwhile comfortable defensve work fell apart. Tottenham survived a number of dangerous moments, including two goal-line clearances in the final minutes – Assou-Ekotto touched a shot onto the bar with his head and Gallas cleared off the line. Spurs had threatening moments but Spurs lack of composure at the back simply encouraged the visitors to push more players forward. Eventually they made the breakthrough early in added time as the ball fell to Morrison who accepted the opportunity to level. Gallas and Vertongham were on their knees in despair as the teams lined up after the goal.

It almost got worse as Lukaku, again, went between the central defenders but was pushed wide allowing Gallas to block his effort and clear. In a final flourish Spurs had the ball in the net again but it was disallowed as Gallas was off-side.

As last week, it was a disappointing and frustrating result, especially, as for so much of the match Spurs had the better of the play and created so many good chances. For over seventy minutes they were untroubled defensively but their lack of composure in those final minutes cost them dearly, making a win over Norwich, next Saturday, essential. There was much that was good about Tottenham’s display but it will be the fact that they dropped a point at home to West Bromwich Albion that will be remembered and used against Andre Villas-Boas by media and some supporters.