Sport

West Brom initiative matched by Keane

English Premiership/Tottenham 1 - West Brom 1: While neither West Bromwich Albion's battle against relegation nor Tottenham'…

By Simon Burnton at White Hart Lane
Thu Apr 21 2005 - 01:00

English Premiership/Tottenham 1 - West Brom 1: While neither West Bromwich Albion's battle against relegation nor Tottenham's struggle to secure a Uefa Cup place will have been particularly bolstered by this draw, the result at least allowed both sides to continue impressive recent runs and, equally importantly, to remain optimistic about their short-term futures.

Zoltan Gera's curled shot from 15 yards was the very least that the Baggies deserved from their dominance in the opening period and, while they were rattled by Tottenham's sprightly start to the second half, in which Robbie Keane equalised, they remained impressively assured even while repelling Tottenham's desperate late pressure.

While no team has ever remained in the Premiership having been bottom at Christmas, Bryan Robson's side can still dream of being the first.

Tottenham's European aspirations appeared absurd by the interval, such was the dominance enjoyed by the visitors during the opening period which they ended in front thanks to Gera's unhurried left-foot finish.

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Indeed the only time Spurs threatened in that first half they had the West Brom's Thomas Gaardsoe to thank, his header forcing a good save from Russell Hoult.

It was apparent that Spurs had to alter their tactics if they were to stand a chance of breaking down the Baggies' well-drilled defence, and they bolstered their front line with the arrival of Mido at half-time.

Within minutes the substitution paid off, Thimothee Atouba's long ball towards Mido unsettling Neil Clement and the defender heading down for Robbie Keane to drill a right-footed shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Kelly, King, Dawson, Edman (Atouba 45), Davies, Davis (Mido 45), Carrick, Reid, Defoe (Ziegler 75), Keane. Subs not used: Cerny, Marney. Booked: Dawson, Reid. Goal: Keane 52.

WEST BROM: Hoult, Scimeca, Gaardsoe, Clement, Robinson, Gera, Richardson (Inamoto 23), Wallwork, Chaplow, Kanu (Earnshaw 83), Campbell (Moore 60). Subs not used: Albrechtsen, Kuszczak. Goal: Gera 24.

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).