West Brom 0 - 1 Tottenham

West Brom v Tottenham
Sunday February 3rd 2013
13:30
Premier League
The Hawthorns

West Brom 0 1 Tottenham

                              Bale 67'

Picture: Sky Sports

Steve Clarke wisely left Peter Odemwingie out of his squad after his deadline day debacle. AVB named an unchanged side from that which drew with Norwich midweek, Defoe the only recognised striker in the absence of Adebayor who is on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.

The game started in scrappy fashion, and the opening exchanges were as pleasing to the eye as the frustrating kit clash.

The first chance fell to Shane Long who was in behind the Spurs defence thanks to a flick on from his strike partner Lukaku, but a heavy touch took it beyond Hugo Lloris and out for a goal kick. Soon after Lukaku managed to fire a shot on target, but straight down the keeper's throat.

At the other end Lennon, making his 300th Spurs appearance, had the beating of Popov, and his cross found the head of makeshift forward Clint Dempsey, who was unable to direct it on goal.

Neither side managed to get an early foothold in the game, with possession frequently being lost too easily in the midfield.

The game almost sparked into life as Gareth Bale showed his world class as he burst into the box in typically dynamic fashion, and he fired across the box and forced a corner. Suddenly the game was open.

Spurs began to find space in behind the Baggie's central midfielders Morrison and Yacob, but found themselves exposed on the break. A quick counter move accompanied by a perfectly timed ball from Dorrans gave Long a one on one with Lloris, but the French stopper made himself big enough to foil the effort.

Bale's electrifying pace provided the usual constant threat, and he was effectively given the run of the park by AVB. Though he did look dangerous when on the ball, half an hour in there was nothing to chose between the two side.

Yacob scythed Defoe down right on the edge of the box, a seemingly needless foul to concede, especially in Gareth Bale territory, though it proved too near and too much to do for the Welshman, who blazed over the bar.

Villas Boas must have had his heart in his mouth when Shane Long looked to have caught Defoe on the toe, though replays showed it to be more concerning and a real nasty twist to the left ankle. The physio strapped the England forward's ankle heavily, but it proved to be the end of his afternoon. Roy Hodgson was looking on from the stands with a grimace. New signing Lewis Holtby was sent on in his place, though Dempsey was sent up top with the Gemany U21's Captain slotting in behind. This seemed to highlight the need for a backup striker, though AVB was resulote in his confidence in his squad and it's depth when interviewed midweek.

Lukaku found a yard of space just before half time, though his shot soared well over the Spurs crossbar. It appeared that at the break it was Lloris who had been tested the most, until in the dying seconds Bale came up with the moment of the half, dropping the shoulder and bending a wonderful effort which brought the best out of Ben Foster. A closely fought first 45, but real concern for AVB and his distinct lack of an out and out striker.

The second half started with a moment of utter madness from Popov. After a tussle to the by-line with Kyle Walker which Popov had won, the two exchanged words and he inexcusably spat at Walker, right in front of Mark Clattenberg and his assistant, leaving the ref no choice but to send him for an early bath.

Clarke's hand was forced by his petulant defender's lunacy, as he pulled off the dangerous Lukaku to make way for Liam Ridgewell. Rather bizzarely the game was left with Shane Long as the only real striker on the pitch.

The impressive Holtby drew an excellent save from Ben Foster from the edge of the box, but West Brom's ten men looked to have weathered the initial storm. However it seemed a long half hour ahead of them, with Tottenham's pressure inevitably mounting.

Bale did magnificently well to get to a loose ball in the box first, but collided heavily with Foster. Fortunately he was only down for a minute before getting back to his feet.

The West Brom defence found themselves dropping deeper and deeper and it seemed a Spurs goal was surely imminent. The home fans had resorted to booing Walker every time he was on the ball, assuming he was responsible for their lack of a man, though replays reveal it was no one but Popov to blame after his despicable petulance at the start of the half.

Sure enough the Spurs goal finally came, and unsurprisingly it was the brilliant Bale who's moving thronker almost went through the Baggie's net, cutting inside on the edge of the 18 yard box and letting one fly right past the helpless Foster. It was his 13th of the campaign and the goalscoring dimension he has found for his game make's him as tougher opponent you could want to face.

With twenty minutes to go Spurs now looked in real control, and Holtby seemed to be everywhere. The youngster dictating the play in the manner of an experienced centre mid, not that of a 20 year old making only his second premier league substitute appearance.

Were it not for Foster's reflexes in the West Brom goal the game could have been put to bed early, but somehow as the final ten approached West Brom found themselves still in the match. Long almost got a sight of goal, but intelligent defending from Michael Dawson ushered him out.

A West Brom free kick gave them a chance to get bodies in the box for the first time since the red card, but a poor delivery rendered the opportunity wasted.

Spurs demonstrated the credentials need for a top four finish again, keeping possession deep in their own half at times and forcing West Brom to do a lot of exhausting leg work.

To say Spurs held on to their lead would be unfair, as they looked effortlessly dominant at the end. Gareth Bale was at his brilliant best, which was nothing we didn't already know. The real revelation was the new recruit Lewis Holtby who looks a real quality player for Spurs. Steve Clarke will be pleased with the spirit his side showed, but it's another loss at home and just one point in six games. Spurs are breathing down the necks of Chelsea in 3rd, but real concern over their striker situation and a wait on the extent of damage caused to leading scorer Defoe's ankle.