Leicester City are three points away from the Premier League title after Tottenham Hotspur are held to a 1-1 draw by West Bromwich Albion.
Spurs dominated the first half but they only had an own goal from Craig Dawson to show for their efforts and they were made to pay after the break.
With 17 minutes remaining, Dawson ensured that he netted for both teams with a header from six yards from a corner and the visitors held on to put a large dent in Spurs' hopes of winning the league crown.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at White Hart Lane.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the game in the Premier League between Tottenham Hotspur and West Bromwich Albion.
After Leicester City's 4-0 demolition of Swansea City on Sunday afternoon, it's now the turn of Spurs to see if they can match the result of their Premier League title rivals. Mauricio Pochettino would have been hoping that the pressure would have got to the Foxes but after their convincing performance in the East Midlands, he must continue to motivate his team as they look to close down Claudio Ranieri's side.
West Brom are still a couple of points away from guaranteeing their Premier League status for another year but in reality, they have already achieved their target for the season. That said, head coach Tony Pulis will be desperate for his team to end a run of three successive defeats although he will acknowledge that the Baggies are big outsiders this evening.
Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the two starting lineups...
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Dier; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Carroll, Chadli, Mason, Son
WEST BROMWICH ALBION XI: Myhill; Olsson, Yacob, Evans, Gardner; McClean, McAuley; Fletcher, Dawson, Sessegnon; Rondon
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Palmer; Chester, Anichebe, Lambert, Sandro, Roberts, Leko
As expected, Pochettino has named an unchanged starting lineup after watching Spurs thrash Stoke City last Monday night. There is only one alteration on the bench too, with Tom Carroll replacing Kevin Wimmer.
There are two big pieces of team news emerging from the West Brom dressing room. Both Ben Foster and Saido Berahino have ankle injuries so Boaz Myhill and Salomon Rondon have been included in their place. Jonas Olsson and Craig Gardner also come into the team in place of James Chester and Sandro.
You will probably be aware of this already but I am going to tell you anyway. Spurs can close the gap on Leicester to five points with victory this evening and only a win will really do. Failure to see off the Baggies would leave Leicester requiring just one triumph from their last three outings, which come against Manchester United, Everton and Chelsea. Not the easiest of run-ins but you would back them to secure success in one of those matches.
Three wins for Norwich City and three defeats for West Brom would leave the Baggies facing relegation but in reality, a point from their last four games would probably be enough for survival. That said, Pulis will still have eyes on finishing as high as 11th. They can move up to that position with a win this evening but even a point would be enough to take them above Bournemouth and into 13th spot.
HEAD TO HEAD! Tonight's match represents the 141st meeting between the two sides in a competitive fixture, with Spurs winning 55 times compared to 52 victories for West Brom. The recent matches don't look too pretty if you are a Baggies fan but their one and only win in the last dozen contests did come at White Hart Lane in September 2014.
REVERSE FIXTURE! The first match between these two sides took place in December and it ended in a 1-1 draw. Dele Alli had given Spurs the lead during the opening quarter-of-an-hour but James McClean's header just before the break ensured that the Baggies came away with a share of the spoils. The home team had chances to win that game during the second half and Pulis must be hoping that his players can enjoy as much success in the final third during this encounter.
As you may have seen last night, both Harry Kane and Dele Alli were recognised at the PFA awards, with Kane earning third place for the main accolade and Alli claiming the Young Player of the Year prize. Both achievements are fully deserved but it will be interesting to see if they help or hinder their displays this evening. Neither player attended the event but who knows, maybe being seen in a different light will bring added pressure.
There are no such worries in the West Brom camp. The Baggies boast the second worst attack in the Premier League and although they have been relatively solid at the back, the club's fans have not been impressed with their side's style of play. More was expected from summer signing Salomon Rondon too but at least with the forward back in the side, they have an option to try to find in attack. Using Saido Berahino in that role did not work against Arsenal.
While West Brom have only won four games on the road, their record of just 20 goals conceded away from home is very respectable. They probably won't be able to sit back and withstand constant pressure from a confident Spurs side but they have shown this season that they are capable of keeping it tight. The absence of Foster is a blow, however - he was shaky against Arsenal but he has performed solidly since returning from a serious knee injury.
PREDICTION! You have to feel that only pressure will stop Spurs winning this game. Chasing the Premier League title is still unfamiliar to them and they know that they cannot afford any dropped points during the remaining few weeks but they possess both the best attack and defence in the top flight and it is difficult to see the Baggies having an answer. Spurs to win 3-0.
Dele Alli couldn't attend the PFA awards last night but he has been given the opportunity to be presented with the award in front of his home fans ahead of tonight's game.
.@Dele_Alli receives his @PFA Young Player of the Year Award at WHL ahead of kick-off. #COYS pic.twitter.com/FfeMfkITLe — Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 25, 2016
Here comes the two teams to warm applause but you can sense the tension in the air!
There's a bit of drizzle in the air too. That should Spurs more so than West Brom.
West Brom get the game underway!
The visitors are already sitting extremely deep and it is only inviting pressure from a vibrant Spurs who have settled right into this one. No chances so far but Yacob has conceded a free kick around 30 yards from goal.
SHOT! Eriksen attempts to drift the ball into the near bottom corner but Myhill manages to tip it around the post. From the resulting corner, Alderweireld tries a speculative volley but he was never going to score with the ball dropping down vertically from quite a height.
WOODWORK! Spurs are bossing this and it has taken a world-class save from Myhill to keep the score level. Kane exchanged passes with Alli and the swift move led to Kane charging down on goal but just when his shot appeared to be heading towards the bottom corner, Myhill flicked out a hand and diverted the ball onto the inside of the post.
You can hear the screams of Pulis - "GET TO THE BALL!". His side haven't got near it so far. Rose wins a corner for Spurs but on this occasion, nothing comes of it. Spurs back in possession though.
WOODWORK! A late challenge from Sessegnon on Rose gifts Spurs a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area. They have plenty of options from here but Eriksen pulls rank again. It's a tremendous effort towards the far post but the ball clips the bar and goes over.
The Baggies have started to settle but they are giving Spurs so much time on the ball. Dembele was just allowed to run all of 40 yards without any player trying to tackle him. If West Brom continue to adopt that approach, it's only a matter of time until the deadlock is broken.
I suggested that Rondon would act as a more effective lone striker than Berahino but he has barely had a kick. Even the Spurs backline are playing the ball about for fun.
SHOT! Kane is in the thick of everything that Spurs are producing in the final third and it is no different here. He benefited from the slip of a Baggies defender but his low 20-yard drive was well saved by Myhill, who is playing a blinder so far.
West Brom do nothing with a free kick in a threatening position but they have more joy when a cross finds Fletcher at the back post. Unfortunately for the Scot though, his knock-back only finds a Spurs defender who clears.
The visitors didn't look prepare to work for each other tonight given the way that they started this match but they have responded well. The relentless noise coming from Pulis on the touchline probably helped! They are yet to create a clear-cut opportunity, however. You can see why they have only scored 31 times this season.
CHANCE! Now that was a chance! Dawson does well on the right flank before drilling a low ball across the edge of the penalty area for Gardner but his first-time strike is blazed over. You would have fancied him to hit the target from there.
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 West Bromwich Albion (Dawson own goal)
That's the goal that Spurs had been waiting for. After Gardner fouled Alli around 40 yards from goal, Eriksen delivered a fine cross into the middle for Vertonghen. Dawson beat the Belgian to the ball but it ricocheted off his thigh when on the ground and went through Myhill. It's fortuitous but deserved.
Spurs have had 13 attempts on goal in comparison to just the one for West Brom. That tells you everything you need to know about this first half! The home side are pressing for a second too.
Spurs have ran rings around McClean over the past couple of minutes. I think a yellow card for the Irishman is inevitable! Spurs have create a couple of openings inside the area but failed to get a shot away. They need to be careful not to over-work things. It's only a one-goal lead.
That was risky from Walker. After a coming together with Rondon, he flicks out at the striker. There's not a lot of aggression in the reaction but players have been red carded for less. Very silly at this stage of the game.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 West Bromwich Albion
The half-time whistle goes at White Hart Lane and Spurs take a 1-0 lead into the break. They could be three or four to the good but it will take a much improved second-half performance from West Brom to prevent their hosts from taking the three points.
The two teams are back out. No changes for either side.
Spurs get us back underway. Pochettino would have called for another fast start to the half but can his players deliver?
The quick start has come from the Baggies who manage to win a corner. The set piece towards the near post finds Olsson but his header is well off target.
It's been a quiet start from Spurs and West Brom are growing in confidence. Sessegnon draws a cheap foul out of Rose by the corner flag and the Baggies have chance to get men forward but it is a poor delivery from Gardner and the danger passes.
Spurs concede another free kick and this time, it is in shooting range for Gardner. He's more than capable from here but not on this occasion. His effort clips the ball and Lloris has an easy save to make.
Pulis must have delivered a rocket to his side at half time because they are considerably better than they were in the opening 45 minutes. They still need to force Lloris into a significant save but they are beginning to build some pressure.
WOODWORK! Spurs hit the woodwork for a third time! A blistering counter-attack led by Eriksen results in the Dane surging towards the by-line before he cuts the ball back for Lamela, who sorts his feet out brilliantly to guide the ball towards the bottom corner. However, it strikes the ball and a defender is able to get in front of Kane, who was lurking and eager to put away the rebound.
BOOKING! The first caution of the game is handed to Evans who brought down Lamela on the right flank. The resulting set piece comes to nothing but it's Spurs' turn to build some pressure. Have West Brom missed their chance?
CHANCE! Turns out they hadn't but they have missed this one! Gardner swings in a cross for Rondon at the near post but after beating Vertonghen in the air, he can only direct his header wide of the near post.
SHOT! Spurs go straight back up the other end through Eriksen but despite finding a gap to fire the ball towards goal from 20 yards, he cannot find the bottom corner.
Evans concedes a free kick around 35 yards from goal - no chance of a second yellow though. Eriksen's set piece is poor and cleared to Dembele before the Belgian lashes a left-footed effort marginally wide of the far post.
This game is starting to become end to end, which most certainly suits West Brom given that they need to score to get back into the match. The Baggies win a corner but Olsson just misses out with the header at the near post and Spurs clear.
GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Bromwich Albion (Dawson)
Moments after Rondon forces a spectacular save out of Lloris, West Brom equalise! A corner is swung in from the left and Dawson - who netted the earlier own goal - gets above Dier and heads into the net! Lloris flapped at it and was nowhere. How important could that goal be!
SUBSTITUTION! Dier has suffered an injury in the process and is replaced by Tom Carroll. Spurs need a goal.
You can feel the frustration from the stands now. Spurs are trying to mount a response but West Brom look resolute and even fancy nicking a late winner. I think there will be another goal in this...
Spurs win a free kick around 25 yards from goal and Eriksen lines up his third shot from a set piece of the evening. He produces his worst effort though, curling the ball several yards over the crossbar.
Leicester fans will be starting to enjoy this. Spurs are struggling to open up West Brom. The threat of Kane, Alli and Eriksen has subsided. Heung-Min Son is on for Lamela.
SHOT! Sessegnon has been outstanding in this second half and he tries his best to net a second for the Baggies but his effort from an acute angle was never going to beat Lloris at the near post.
It's not Spurs pushing for a winner - it's West Brom. The visitors win a corner and it's a terrific ball to the back post where Olsson is waiting but Vertonghen gets in front of him to head clear. It's a vital intervention.
SUBSTITUTIONS! Both teams make a change. Nacer Chadli has replaced Alli for Spurs and Sandro has come on for Sessegnon. There will be five minutes of added-on time.
Spurs win a corner but it is easily cleared by West Brom, who cause havoc down the other end without getting a shot away. Time is running out for the home side.
FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
The full-time whistle goes at White Hart Lane and West Brom have held Spurs to a 1-1 draw! Spurs dominated the opening 45 minutes but they only had one goal to speak of and it has cost them this match and perhaps their chance of winning the Premier League title. Leicester City are three points away!
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match but we hope you can stick around for all of the reaction from North London. Thank you for joining this evening. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
