An injury-time equaliser from Christian Eriksen has earned Tottenham Hotspur a dramatic 3-3 draw away at West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies raced into a 2-0 lead after four minutes through Matej Vydra and Chris Brunt before Stephane Sessegnon made it three after 31 minutes as the home crowd anticipated more goals against a poor Spurs defence.
However, a Jonas Olsson own goal and a header from Harry Kane gave hope to the visitors, before deep into added-on time, Eriksen struck a 16-yard effort into the top corner to cap a superb fightback from his team.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at The Hawthorns.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the match between West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.
A few weeks ago, West Bromwich Albion were being widely tipped for the drop after head coach Pepe Mel failed to pick up a victory in his opening half-a-dozen games in charge at The Hawthorns. However, while the Spaniard hasn't completely turned things around, the Baggies are in a healthier position and they need just a couple of victories from their final fixtures to secure safety for another season.
There is an uncertainly surrounding Tottenham Hotspur at the moment. Daniel Levy was quick to hand Tim Sherwood an 18-month deal after installing him as the new head coach in December but reports emerged this week that Sherwood will be replaced at the end of the season. On the same day, Spurs thrashed Sunderland, but it remains to be seen whether that result will improve Sherwood's job security before the end of the campaign.
The team news is coming through, albeit slowly, from The Hawthorns. We will have full details of both lineups shortly.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION XI: Foster; Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Brunt, Dorrans; Sessegnon; Vydra
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Myhill, Berahino, Jones, Bifouma, Yacob, Anichebe, Dawson
The Baggies have made just one change to the lineup that began their 1-0 win at Norwich City last weekend. Pepe Mel has brought in Chris Brunt to replace James Morrison in midfield.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Naughton, Chiriches, Kaboul, Rose; Lennon, Chadli, Paulinho, Eriksen; Adebayor, Kane
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Friedel, Fryers, Veljkovic, Bentaleb, Sigurdsson, Townsend, Winks
Understandably, Tim Sherwood has decided to retain the same team that thrashed Sunderland 5-1 on Monday evening. The only change comes on the substitutes' bench, where midfielder Harry Winks is included in the first-team sqaud for just the second time.
Going back to what I was saying about West Brom's form under Pepe Mel - West Brom have picked up seven points from their last four fixtures - Baggies' fans would take that, right? However, reports in the week suggested that if Tim Sherwood does leave White Hart Lane at the end of the season, he could find himself in the hotseat at The Hawthorns. I'm sure that story has plenty of mileage on it yet, but if Mel wins again today, surely he deserves a crack at improving his team over the summer?
The lunchtime fixture in the Championship has finished 5-2 in Queens Park Rangers' favour. Nottingham Forest are going through a disastrous spell at the moment! You can read our report by clicking here.
Sherwood's decision to keep the same team for successive matches means that Harry Kane gets another opportunity to impress for the White Hart Lane outfit. The 20-year-old has only netted twice in 14 appearances this season but the experience of featuring for a top-six side will only benefit him in the next campaign. He scored his first Premier League of the season on Monday, can he make it two in a week today?
Are you all familiar with our Stat Centre? If not, check it out here! Despite their respective league position, both teams seem evenly matched in many of the various departments in the Stat Centre, which is rather surprising! The one area that Spurs do have an advantage is in terms of clean sheets. They have kept five more than the Baggies.
As well as this fixture at The Hawthorns, we have commentaries on each and every Premier League fixture taking place this afternoon. You can access them all via our commentaries page. Fulham against Norwich City looks a corker!
KEY MAN! Morgan Amalfitano could be a key figure for West Brom this afternoon. The Frenchman's stock at the Baggies rose considerably after his wonder goal at Old Trafford earlier in the season, and although his form dipped after that strike, he netted a crucial goal against Norwich City last week which could give him the confidence to score in a third successive game this afternoon.
KEY MAN! As for Spurs, Christian Eriksen has shone over the past few weeks. The Dane was instrumental in his team's comeback against Southampton, while he was at his creative best against Sunderland earlier this week. West Brom will need to keep the former Ajax playmaker quiet this afternoon if they are to give themselves the best chance of earning a result.
We are just 10 minutes away from kickoff at The Hawthorns. I think that it's time for a prediction!
PREDICTION! There's a real 50-50 feel to this game, and I can't predict a result with any degree of confidence. However, I'm confident that we are going to be treated to plenty of goals this afternoon, but who will prevail, who knows! A 2-2 draw.
The two teams are making their way out onto the pitch at The Hawthorns. Remember, before we get underway, everyone in English football will be paying their respects to those who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.
The minutes' silence is impeccably respected in the West Midlands. The Baggies will get us underway.
GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Vydra)
Incredible! With less than half a minute on the clock, West Bromwich Albion have the lead! A cross was only half parried away by Hugo Lloris into the path of Matej Vydra, who volleyed the ball into the bottom corner.
Well I told you that there would be goals, didn't I?! West Brom are rampant at the moment. Tottenham have hardly had a kick.
GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Brunt)
Wow. Just wow! Spurs are all over the place and West Brom are taking full advantage. A cross from the right was only half-cleared to the back post where Chris Brunt was waiting, and the Northern Irishman unleashed a first-time volley into the far corner. Tim Sherwood doesn't look too impressed...
CHANCE! It should be 2-1. Harry Kane moves the ball past a West Brom defender before driving the ball agonisingly past the far post. I've just gone seven minutes without taking a breath. This is lively stuff!
Spurs are having more joy in the final third, but West Brom look threatening on the break. This match has the potential to hit the double-figure mark! Ok, I exaggerated, but what a start.
CHANCE! Kane misses another chance! I'm not exaggerating when I say that this match should be 2-2. Danny Rose drilled a cross to the near post, but Kane could only divert the ball wide of the post from no more than three yards out.
They may be behind, but Spurs have had 57% of possession. I can only see that getting higher because West Brom are very much playing on the break at the moment.
PENALTY TO TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR!
MISS! Oh dear. Emmanuel Adebayor has had a shocker. After Danny Rose was fouled, the Togo striker strolled up and rolled the ball into the hands of Ben Foster, who barely had to dive to his left.
After going 2-0 behind after five minutes, Spurs could easily be in front. How crazy is that! Pepe Mel needs to calm his team down a touch. They have let the early lead go to their heads.
Back come the Baggies down the left through Chris Brunt, and although his ball into the box is a decent one, it is deflected into the grateful hands of Hugo Lloris.
The pace of the game has subsided somewhat, but both teams look ready to net the third goal of what has been a pulsating match so far.
Danny Rose is offering himself as a frequent outlet for Spurs, and on this occasion, he wins a free kick after being fouled by Steven Reid. However, Christian Eriksen's set piece has too much whip on it and it's easily claimed by Ben Foster.
SAVE! Hugo Lloris keeps Spurs in the game with a solid stop from Morgan Amalfitano. Youssouf Mulumbu did superb on the edge of the area before releasing the Frenchman, but his powerful shot was well tipped over the bar.
SHOT! Spurs work the ball well in midfield before Paulinho tries his luck from 25 yards. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, his shot is straight at Ben Foster.
GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Sessegnon)
I don't know about Tim Sherwood being replaced at the end of the season...he might be replaced tonight! Spurs are a shambles at the back. A long ball was hit over the top of the Tottenham defence and after outpacing Vlad Chiriches, Stephane Sessegnon calmly placed the ball past Hugo Lloris from just inside the penalty area.
GOAL! West Bromwich 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Olsson own goal)
Now then! Spurs have a lifeline. Harry Kane was played in down the right-hand side of the pitch and his cross was diverted over Ben Foster and into the far corner.
DOUBLE SAVE! This match has been incredible!!! Ben Foster comes to the rescue for the Baggies, who should have seen their lead reduced to one. After saving from Paulinho, the ball rebounded to Danny Rose, but despite being faced with a tight angle, the goal was open, but Foster, somehow, dived to keep the ball out at his near post!
You're not laughing about my double-figure prediction now, are you...! Only six to go...
Harry Kane is extremely fortunate to avoid at least a yellow card for a crude challenge on Gareth McAuley. The referee had already blew for offside, but the England Under-21 man should have definitely been cautioned.
There will be two minutes of added-on time.
HALF TIME: West Bromwich Albion 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur
The half-time whistle goes at The Hawthorns to bring to an end what has got to be one of the best 45 minutes of the season. Tim Sherwood has some serious work to do at the break if his team are going to turn this around. As for Pepe Mel, he will ask for more of the same!
Tottenham have had 68% of possession and more shots on goal, yet they are losing. They deserve it, though. For a team supposed to be challenging for a position in the top five or six, they have been appalling at the back. It wouldn't surprise me if Tim Sherwood makes a couple of changes at the break, especially to the back four.
Elsewhere at the bottom, Fulham have the lead over Norwich City. What a huge goal that could be! Stoke City also have the advantage over Newcastle United, but that's your lot as far as the goals in the Premier are concerned.
Spurs get us back underway.
Unsurprisingly, Vlad Chiriches has been withdrawn by Spurs at the break. Zeki Fryers is on in his place.
It's been all Tottenham at the start of this second half, but as of yet, they have been unable to get a shot away on Ben Foster's goal.
Danny Rose has been one of the few positives for Spurs today, and he comes close to reducing the deficit with a speculative volley from the left of the penalty area, pretty much identical to Brunt's effort earlier. However, it flies wide of the far post.
SAVE! Stunning save from Ben Foster. Aaron Lennon cut inside onto his left foot before driving the ball towards goal from 20 yards. However, Foster was alert to the danger to tip the ball wide of the post.
BOOKING! The referee books Danny Rose for diving in the penalty area. Correct decision.
SUBSTITUTION! Pepe Mel has decided to make a defensive change, replacing Stephane Sessegnon with Claudio Yacob. The Baggies haven't got going in this second half.
There have been no more goals elsewhere in the Premier League. We have been spoiled for them at The Hawthorns! Graham Dorrans goes into the book for a foul on Kyle Naughton.
BOOKING! Steven Reid is the next man to go into the book for West Brom after cynically bringing down Harry Kane. He has no complaints.
Cardiff have the lead at Southampton! I don't think anyone saw that coming. The Welsh club need to hang on if they are to stand a realistic chance of survival. Sunderland need a goal against Everton or else they could be cut adrift at the bottom.
Spurs are really beginning to push now. Harry Kane has worked his socks off today but he can't get on the end of a couple of crosses that were driven in towards the six-yard box.
GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 3-2 Tottenham Hotspur (Kane)
Harry Kane deserves that goal. Aaron Lennon sent in a floated delivery from the right and Kane powered the ball into the corner of Ben Foster's net, despite the best efforts to clear the ball off the line.
Oh dear. Wes Brown has put through his own net at the Stadium of Light against Everton. The gamaes are running out for the Black Cats.
This is a blow for the Baggies. Jonas Olsson is being forced off the pitch after pulling up short. Craig Dawson is being readied to enter the action with less than 15 minutes remaining.
A free kick from the halfway line is sent into the penalty area but Emmanuel Sdebayor can't react fast enough to latch onto Harry Kane's flick.
As it stands, there are just four points separating the teams placed between 16th and 19th. This relegation fight has a long way to go yet. West Brom will be sucked back in if they concede a late equaliser.
Spurs are surging forward, but West Brom are doing everything to prevent a ball being delivered into the box. Saido Berahino has been sent on in attack for the Baggies, and when they do clear, he is proving to be a valuable outlet.
Younes Kaboul is forced to make a fine last-ditch challenge to prevent Saido Berahino adding a fourth for Baggies, but the home side retrieve the ball to earn a free kick on the left. There will be SIX minutes of added-on time.
It's end to end at The Hawthorns, but neither side can get a shot on goal. Spurs have three more minutes to find an equaliser or else the pressure will intensify on Tim Sherwood's position.
GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur (Eriksen)
Would you believe it!!! Christian Eriksen receives the ball inside the penalty area and after cutting inside onto his right foot, he unleashes an unstoppable effort into the top corner! I really feel for Pepe Mel. He looks gutted. It's happened again to West Brom.
Would you believe it! West Brom gave Christian Eriksen far too much room inside the penalty area, and the Dane cut back onto his right foot before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner.
FULL TIME: West Bromwich Albion 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur
FULL TIME: West Bromwich Albion 3-3 Tottenham Hotspur
The full-time whistle goes at The Hawthorns, and somehow, some way, Spurs have drawn with West Brom. The Baggies looked on course to move five points clear of the drop zone, but like against Cardiff City, they couldn't hold on.
With Fulham and Cardiff both winning, and Aston Villa losing to Crystal Palace, five points separate the teams in 14th to 19th position. It's getting a bit tasty now! Here is the updated Premier League table.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. It's been a cracker. I feel for West Brom, though. That's four points that they have dropped in their last two home games because of 94th minute goals. On that note, I will say goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
