West Brom v Spurs report

The proverbial game of two halves in which Tottenham's quality in the first half meant was more than matched by West Brom's industry and determination in the second half.

The Baggies couldn't get near Spurs in the first 30 minutes or so as Van Der Vaart and Modric pulled the strings in the centre and Gareth Bale took full advantage of the uncertainty of Odemwingie on the wing. Having said that Tottenham actually created very little aside from shots from the free kicks generously awarded by Howard Webb. The Spurs goal came from a ball into the box that Tamas and Olsson failed to deal with, in fairness Olsson was pushed by Pavlyuchenko in the build up which allowed Modric space to drill his shot low past Carson.

From then on the Baggies began to work their way back into the game first with a long range shot from Scharner that just went above the bar and then a surging run from Thomas who managed to play in Fortuné who easily went past debutant Gallas before firing a hard low shot that Cudicini could only push up into the air for Odemwingie to head on and Brunt to finish off by out jumping the defensively frail Bale. Odemwingie followed up the goal with a rasping shot from outside the area that Cudicini did well to hold onto.

The second half again started with Tottenham putting on the pressure with Carson saving well from Bale and then from another free kick given just outside the box.

From then on it was all Albion with Odemwingie's free header just hit over the bar and then Cudicini saved from a close range Olsson header. A superb run and strike from Odemwingie was then saved full stretch by the Italian keeper and the Spurs keeper did just enough to put off Tamas after a surging penalty box to penalty box run.

On this evidence the Baggies might just be finding their feet at this level but Spurs fans will be doubting that they can achieve fourth place this season. Up front they looked lightweight and at the back their defence looked a shambles at times when pressure was exerted.

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