Simon Burnton

at White Hart Lane

Two goals from Robbie Keane, the second a penalty in the penultimate minute, brought Tottenham back from behind to earn a victory which leaves their hopes of Champions League qualification looking considerably brighter than their team appeared for much of last night's game against an improving but unfortunate West Bromwich Albion.

Albion goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, whose time-wasting had upset the Spurs fans all game, alienated his own support with a horrific late error, gifting possession to Jermain Defoe and then hauling the striker down to present Keane with an opportunity to score the 100th league goal of his career.

The Dubliner lashed the ball into the top corner of the goal to bring a breathless end to a game which was far more entertaining than anyone might have predicted.

A run of one point from their past five Premiership games gave the Baggies little encouragement, but their record against these opponents afforded some hope. The sides drew both league games last season - and one in the FA Cup, though Tottenham won the replay - while two goals from Kanu earned the Baggies victory at The Hawthorns in December.

But the early exchanges showed West Brom are not ready to lie down just yet. While their position means that points take priority, Bryan Robson's team boast more than just muscle and it was they who stroked passes across the midfield in the opening minutes while Spurs sent long balls looping towards Keane, Defoe and Aaron Lennon.

It was Jonathan Greening who caught the eye early on - though on one occasion he almost caught the ball as well, an offence that earned a quite unnecessary booking. The former Middlesbrough midfielder was skipping away from Stephen Kelly with unusual ease, but when Michael Carrick was sucked into the right of Tottenham's defence to offer assistance, he succeeded only in fouling Nathan Ellington to give the visitors a dangerous free-kick. From Greening's centre Curtis Davies rose above Dawson at the far post to put his side ahead.

Tottenham immediately reshuffled, switching Lennon to the left and Jermaine Jenas to the right, and West Brom's tentative grip on the game withered. Lennon cut in from the left to prompt panic in the visiting defence but his pull-back was cleared; Carrick gathered possession on the edge of the area but rather than running into the box he clattered into the referee; Keane dummied to allow Defoe space to turn and test Kuszczak, and, amid a succession of corners Ledley King's shot was deflected wide by Ronnie Wallwork.

The first half had been breathless and never less than entertaining, but the only visiting player to spend much time with the ball as the second period began was Kuszczak, who indulged in some exaggerated time-wasting.

Lennon, still stationed on the left, remained the most likely source of a Tottenham equaliser, even if he tended to over-elaborate. But Keane and Jenas, whose drive from just inside the area fizzed wide of the near post, came close before Mido, with his first touch after replacing Kelly, sent Tottenham's best chance wide.

Their equaliser owed a great deal to the captain as Keane stayed onside and ran on to Carrick's 68th-minute pass. His finish was typically astute, too, as he chipped the ball over the advancing Kuszczak.

Kevin Campbell, warming up on the touchline at the time and with a perfect view across the line, returned to the bench shaking his head. Once again he was the bearer of bad news.

Guardian Service

TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Kelly (Mido 59), Dawson, King, Lee, Lennon (Tainio 89), Jenas, Carrick, Davids (Murphy 85), Defoe, Keane. Subs not used: Cerny, Gardner. Goals: Keane 68, 89 pen.

WEST BROM: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Watson, Curtis Davies, Robinson, Greening, Wallwork, Johnson, Kozak (Inamoto 63), Ellington (Gera 85), Kanu (Campbell 82). Subs not used: Hoult, Clement. Booked: Greening, Kuszczak. Goal: Curtis Davies 21.

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside)