Tottenham Hotspur Not Great But Bring Enough to Beat West Brom
By Aaron Coe
Tottenham Hotspur played better overall in the first half but brought that cutting edge after the break to score two and top West Brom in a must need win. After three losses on the bounce a surprise return of Harry Kane from injury, along with what appeared to be some a renewed sense of purpose were enough for Spurs to top the Baggies and begin to right the ship.
Tottenham were Flowing in the First Half
Tottenham were dominant in every way except on the scoresheet in the first half, which is what Spurs needed against the relegation battling Baggies. Although it was about 10 minutes into the match before Sam Johnstone would make his first save – a routine save on a Heung-Min Son son – the English keeper was constantly busy.
West Brom defenders were regularly using Johnstone on the back pass under pressure to boot the ball away, which essentially granted Spurs possession regularly. Additionally, Johnston was out working to collect crosses, particularly given Spurs had seven first half corners. Those corners were just one reflection of the dominance that came with 70% possession.
Frankly, Tottenham should have scored and put West Brom to the sword early but it did not fall for Spurs. Just before the quarter-hour mark Lamela played Serge Aurier in on the right. The Ivorian – who was trouble for Albion all day before being taken off due to a knock – attacked toward the middle and played the ball on the ground across the pitch square to Harry Kane.
Kane took a touch and went left and struck well. Fortunately for West Brom, the ball went a bit high and flashed off the top of the crossbar and out of play. A few minutes later it was Aurier feeding Erik Lamela, who then was getting the ball to Kane but this time his shot was blocked. Aurier then had a header saved on target as Tottenham could not find the opener.
Hugo Lloris came through when Spurs needed him just before halftime.
Ultimately, while Tottenham were knocking the ball around well and seemingly knocking on Johnstone’s door at every possible moment with nine first half shots – three on target – Spurs had failed to capitalize on all that possession. Then almost like clockwork, just before the half, things almost went haywire.
West Brom were not passive, but they certainly showed more ambition in this late half move as the ball quickly moved from left to right. Then in a move we’ve seen too many times as Spurs fans, with essentially one long ball down the line West Brom was behind Ben Davies on Spurs left.
West Brom knew what to do as Robert Snodgrass attacked the box and played a cross that went past Toby Alderweireld and over Davinson Sanchez. Mbaye Diagne – a new signing from Galatarasay in Turkey – won the header and went low on Hugo’s right hand side. The Frenchman got down well and made the critical save and almost as importantly did not allow a rebound.
It was a moment from Lloris that Spurs needed against Liverpool a fortnight ago and Hugo did not deliver. Today, the captain came up with the goods and gave Spurs just the safety they needed as they went into the break. Interestingly about Spurs penchant to concede just before the half, as Dele Alli used to own this space of the game but we digress and continue to the second half.