Tottenham’s League Record At West Bromwich Albion

Will Jermain Defoe end his goal drought against WBA? [Photo: Jav The_DoC_66]Tottenham’s games against West Bromwich Albionat The Hawthorns have proved difficult in the past with last year’s win being their first since 2003. Spurs will want to extend their undefeated Premier League run from mid-December which has stretched to eight games while Albion are eight points adrift of Spurs in ninth place.

Tottenham’s Away Premier League Record against West Brom:

P  6  W  2  D  2  L  2  For  8  Ag  9

League Record at The Hawthorns (inc. PL)

P   59  W  15  D  10  L  34  For  76  Ag  123

Two Premier League Wins

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 Sunday.

Nov. 2011  PL  Won 3 – 1  Adebayor (2), Defoe

Last season Spurs played at the Hawthorns in the middle of their autumn undefeated run and took the points with a hard-earned but thoroughly deserved 3 – 1 win against an Albion side who made them fight all the way. It was all square at half-time after Emmanuel Adebayor had equalised an early Albion strike. Adebayor was a major influence in the game as his flick released Aaron Lennon to run into the penalty area where he was brought down. Foster saved Adebayor’s penalty but when the ball came back to him, he managed to score. It took two late goals from Jermain Defoe and Adebayor to ensure the three points which consolidated Tottenham’s third place, two points behind Manchester United but with a match in hand.

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

Albion had been absent from top flight football for 16 years as Spurs recorded their only other win at The Hawthorns 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. Twice Albion who were already relegated took the lead but first 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.

Other Premier League Results at The Hawthorns

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.

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.

Dec. 2005  PL  Lost  0 – 2

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

Aug. 2004  PL  Draw 1 – 1  Defoe

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

FA Cup 4th Round

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. Jermain Defoe has now scored seven goals for Tottenham against WBA in League and Cup matches.

One Nil to the Spurs at the Hawthorns!

An unusual cry for Spurs supporters but Tottenham’s last four wins at the Hawthorns in the old 1st Division were all by a 1 – 0 scoreline.

February, 1985  Won 1 – 0  Falco

April, 1983  Won 1 – 0  Archibald

Oct. 1978  Won 1 – 0  Taylor

As Alan remembered in his blog, Taylor scored an early goal and with Barry Daines making numerous vital saves, Spurs held out for the remainder of the game.

Aug. 1972  Won 1 – 0  Peters

Prior to the 1972 win, Spurs had gone nine seasons without claiming a victory. Three draws was the height of their achievement but the Boxing Day draw in 1963 was memorable – it ended 4 – 4. Jimmy Greaves put Spurs ahead after three minutes. Albion missed a penalty before Bobby Smith scored Spurs’ second. Albion pulled one back only for Cliff Jones to head a third. By half-time Albion had made it 2 – 3 but Greaves’ scored the fourth in the second half. Albion scored twice to take a point from a match they should have won. Tottenham’s defence was a major concern for Bill Nicholson and two days later in the return fixture at White Hart Lane Albion won 2 – 0.

In the four seasons before that game, Spurs had their best ever sequence of results at the Hawthorns with four successive victories, 2 – 1 (1959-60), 3 – 1 (1960-61), 4 – 2 (1961-62) and 2 – 1 (1962-63).

Such is the intensity of competition for a top four finish in the Premier League that no team can afford any slip-ups. West Bromwich proved difficult opponents at White Hart Lane as they made a promising start to the season under new manager, Steve Clarke. They will take encouragement from that performance and will be equally determined to put in another good display against Spurs. Tottenham will be looking to improve on recent away performances and results which has seen them draw at QPR and Norwich City while losing at Leeds United in the FA Cup.