Harry Kane’s 150th Premier League goal was enough to send Tottenham top of the table for the first time since August 2014.
A game of few chances seemed destined to end goalless after Hugo Lloris had kept out Karlan Grant’s second-half header and a flurry of Tottenham chances had come and gone without reward.
But, as has been the case so often in the past, Kane punished a minor lack of concentration to head home an 88th-minute winner.
West Brom’s defence failed to track the England skipper’s run into the box, allowing him to leap unchecked to meet Matt Doherty’s cross and guide the ball over goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
Tottenham’s lead at the summit may only last a matter of hours but it was the kind of narrow win that is the hallmark of champions.
For West Brom, who have now scored once in their last five games, it was a result that keeps them in the relegation zone and already facing a tough battle to retain their top-flight status.
Spurs are title contenders
It is too early for Spurs fans to get carried away, but when you look at some of the players who did not even make Jose Mourinho’s matchday squad – Harry Winks, Davinson Sanchez and Steven Bergwijn – there is no reason why they should not be competing for the biggest prize.
Apart from the start of his final season at Manchester United, when they played a day before everyone else, this was the first time Mourinho has been top of the table since September 2017.
He has infused grit and organisation into an already top side – not to mention added Gareth Bale.
The Welshman was not at his best on this occasion but, starting a Premier League game for the first time since 2013, he formed a potentially lethal attacking trio alongside Kane and Son Heung-min that will not be easily subdued.
Son could have made life a lot easier for Tottenham if he had taken an early chance that came his way, but the South Korean took far too long to set himself when in space at the far post and Kyle Bartley blocked the shot.
After that, it was a succession of long-range shots, none of which threatened Johnstone’s goal.
And when Doherty had an effort saved near the end, it seemed Spurs would have to settle for a point.
But Kane had other ideas to send Tottenham into the international break in a very healthy position, with Manchester City and Chelsea their next two opponents.
More to follow.
Line-ups
West Brom
- 1Johnstone
- 2Furlong
- 6Ajayi
- 5BartleyBooked at 44mins
- 27O’Shea
- 14Townsend
- 18Gallagher
- 8LivermoreSubstituted forEdwardsat 89′minutes
- 17Krovinovic
- 7RobinsonSubstituted forDianganaat 67′minutes
- 29GrantSubstituted forPhillipsat 84′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Gibbs
- 10Phillips
- 11Diangana
- 19Sawyers
- 21Edwards
- 22Peltier
- 25Button
Tottenham
- 1Lloris
- 2Doherty
- 4Alderweireld
- 15Dier
- 3Reguilón
- 17SissokoSubstituted forAlves Moraisat 79′minutes
- 5Højbjerg
- 9BaleSubstituted forLucas Mouraat 78′minutes
- 28NdombeleSubstituted forLo Celsoat 64′minutes
- 7Son Heung-Min
- 10Kane
Substitutes
- 12Hart
- 14Rodon
- 18Lo Celso
- 24Aurier
- 27Lucas Moura
- 33Davies
- 45Alves Morais
Live Text
-
Match ends, West Bromwich Albion 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
-
Second Half ends, West Bromwich Albion 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1.
-
Attempt missed. Carlos Vinicius (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from a difficult angle on the left is high and wide to the right.
-
Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Kyle Bartley (West Bromwich Albion).
-
Foul by Carlos Vinicius (Tottenham Hotspur).
-
Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Offside, Tottenham Hotspur. Matt Doherty tries a through ball, but Harry Kane is caught offside.
-
Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albion).
-
Substitution, West Bromwich Albion. Kyle Edwards replaces Jake Livermore.
-
Goal! West Bromwich Albion 0, Tottenham Hotspur 1. Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the centre of the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Matt Doherty with a cross.
-
Attempt blocked. Darnell Furlong (West Bromwich Albion) header from the centre of the box is blocked.
-
Corner, West Bromwich Albion. Conceded by Lucas Moura.
-
Corner, West Bromwich Albion. Conceded by Sergio Reguilón.
-
Substitution, West Bromwich Albion. Matt Phillips replaces Karlan Grant.
-
Attempt saved. Carlos Vinicius (Tottenham Hotspur) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sergio Reguilón with a cross.
-
Attempt blocked. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Harry Kane.
-
Attempt saved. Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur) header from the left side of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Son Heung-Min with a cross.
-
Corner, Tottenham Hotspur. Conceded by Darnell Furlong.
- Watch 13 first-round ties on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app this weekend. Find out more here.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
Source link
