West Bromwich Albion have recorded a dramatic 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday's Premier League clash at The Hawthorns.
Spurs dominated for much of the game but two minutes into added-on time, Jake Livermore's close-range effort prevented the Baggies from being relegated in front of their own supporters.
West Brom now sit just two points adrift of 17th-placed Swansea City - who have a game in hand - while Spurs must win their final two matches to guarantee a place in next season's Champions League.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in the West Midlands courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between West Bromwich Albion and Tottenham Hotspur. Both clubs need a win - West Brom to try to avoid relegation and Spurs to move ever nearer a Champions League place next season - but who will prevail at The Hawthorns?
LATEST! Before we get to the team news, let's point you in the direction of our coverage of the match between Stoke City and Crystal Palace. It's currently 1-1 with under 20 minutes left but another goal could result in relegation for either West Brom or Stoke. Click here to follow that match.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION XI: Foster; Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs; Livermore, Brunt; Phillips, Rodriguez, McClean; Rondon
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Myhill, Robson-Kanu, Yacob, Evans, Sturridge, Krychowiak, Chadli
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Trippier, Wanyama, Eriksen, Rose; Lamela, Dele, Kane
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Davies, Dier, Sissoko, Moura, Son, Llorente
Let's start with West Brom as Darren Moore - unsurprisingly - decides to go with the same side which registered a narrow win away at Newcastle United last weekend. It means that the likes of Jonny Evans and Daniel Sturridge remain on the bench.
The Baggies will play with four at the back but Moore is able to swap and change the shape of the rest of the team should he so wish. We expect West Brom to start with five in midfield with Salomon Rondon the lone striker but Jay Rodriguez could play in close proximity to the forward when the home side have the ball.
There has been one change on the West Brom substitutes' bench. Nacer Chadli is included after barely featuring all season, with Oliver Burke the player to be left out.
As for Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino has made a total of four changes to the team which beat Watford on Monday night. The most notable absentee is Mousa Dembele, who has failed to shake off an ankle injury. Serge Aurier is also out with a hamstring problem.
LATEST! Disaster for Stoke City. Palace have turned things around at the bet365 Stadium and now lead 2-1 with four minutes to go. If that scoreline remains the same, the Potters will be relegated. Click here to follow the closing minutes.
Back to the team news and Ben Davies, Eric Dier and Son Heung-min also miss out on the starting lineup, with Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose, Victor Wanyama and Erik Lamela all being handed a role in the team.
It appears that Spurs will go with a 3-4-3 formation in the West Midlands. Vertonghen will probably play on the left-hand side of a three-man backline with Kieran Trippier and Danny Rose being used as wing-backs. If that's the case, Christian Eriksen or Dele Alli will feature in central midfield alongside Wanyama.
Five minutes have been added on at the bet365 Stadium but it does not look like Stoke will salvage a point. Just to be clear, while West Brom will remain below Stoke in the table, the Baggies will not be relegated just yet due to this game in hand.
RESULT! The full-time whistle has gone in the Potteries and Stoke City have been relegated from the Premier League. Goals from McArthur and Van Aanholt have got the job done for the Eagles. You can read our on-the-whistle report by clicking here.
As far as the league table is concerned, Stoke remain in 19th but a positive result for West Brom against Spurs would result in the Baggies getting themselves off the bottom. Who would have thought it! Palace have returned to 11th spot and are safe.
Let's get back to this game. Over the past month, Moore has impressed a lot of people and that includes his Spurs counterpart Pochettino, who has been full of praise for the impact that the caretaker boss has made. Click here to read his thoughts.
However, while West Brom deserve to be spoken about in a high regard, they are still without a home victory in six attempts. Even just one success may have made a significant difference...
That said, I'm sure that Moore and his squad will focus on the fact that just three goals have been conceded in four outings, with two of those coming against Liverpool. It would be fair to say that something has just clicked for the team, especially at the back.
Up the other end of the pitch, West Brom have not scored more than two goals in a match since the end of January. Thirteen outings have come and gone since the success over Liverpool in the FA Cup.
Only Rodriguez and Rondon have scored more than two goals in the Premier League. That's desperately poor from the Baggies. The attacking pair have seven goals apiece but realistically speaking, it means very little when the rest of squad rarely contribute. Maybe things would have been different had Sturridge stayed fit. The Liverpool loanee has featured for just 83 minutes in the top flight since penning a deal at The Hawthorns.
Let's turn our attention to Spurs now and Pochettino has been speaking about the team's recent form, which improved with a 2-0 win over Watford on Monday night. Click here to read what the Argentine has had to say.
This afternoon will see Spurs try to break a Premier League record with the North Londoners having never registered more than 10 away victories. That will become 11 with success today. Staying on the topic of records. Harry Kane has been criticised of late but the England frontman only needs one goal to equal Kevin Phillips's tally of 16 for goals scored away from home in a single season.
Spurs have also scored a goal in each of their last 23 matches in the top flight. Arsenal were the last team to keep a clean sheet against Pochettino's men in the league, which came all the way back in November.
It has been perceived that Eriksen has performed better than Alli this season but when it comes to goals and assists, Eriksen only holds a slender advantage. Both players have contributed 10 assists, with Eriksen edging out Alli 10 to nine when it comes to goals. Alli has also featured for 157 minutes less than the Dane.
PREDICTION! West Brom have been excellent under Moore but we have to back Spurs this afternoon. The Baggies need a win and that should leave spaces for Spurs' attacking players. The North Londoners to triumph by a 3-1 scoreline.
HEAD TO HEAD! Saturday's meeting represents the 145th competitive fixture between the two clubs, with Spurs winning 56 times in comparison to 52 victories for West Brom.
However, while the historical record is close, the recent one is not. West Brom have won just once in the last 16 attempts, with Spurs currently on a six-match unbeaten streak.
West Brom impressed in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Rondon gave the visitors an early lead at Wembley Stadium before Kane found an equaliser during the final quarter. Click here to read back on that match.
It's time for the two teams to make their way out at The Hawthorns. A quick reminder that he will try to keep you up-to-date with the other 3pm kickoffs in the Premier League. Baggies fans will be interested in developments at the Vitality Stadium as Bournemouth play host to Swansea City.
A reminder of the two teams...
WEST BROMWICH ALBION XI: Foster; Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs; Livermore, Brunt; Phillips, Rodriguez, McClean; Rondon
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris; Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen; Trippier, Wanyama, Eriksen, Rose; Lamela, Dele, Kane
KICKOFF! We are underway.
It's been a quiet start to this match but the main thing that is noticeable is that it's Eriksen who is partnering Wanyama in the centre of midfield. The Dane is playing much deeper than usual.
We are still awaiting the first significant action in the final third but Spurs are currently dominating possession. West Brom cannot afford to sit off too much.
It's fair to say that it's all Spurs. The North Londoners have now won a couple of corners, with the second almost leading to an opportunity for Kane from 16 yards out.
It feels like West Brom were not expecting this approach from Spurs. The use of the wing-backs is causing the home side all kinds of problems and Eriksen is dictating things in the middle of the park.
West Brom finally get the ball out of their own half but McClean is promptly dispossessed by Trippier on the flank. That is as good as it has got for the Baggies.
Spurs have gone back on the offensive through Rose but Nyom is just about doing an effective job in keeping the wing-back quiet. Still all Spurs.
More of the same from Spurs who are remaining patient in their approach. There's little reason for the visitors to go too direct at this stage.
West Brom are very wary about conceding the opening goal in this game but this defensive approach is only inviting pressure from Spurs. Still no shots on goal but Spurs have had at least 80% of the ball.
LATEST! It's still goalless in Leicester City's clash with West Ham United and Bournemouth's meeting with Swansea City. West Brom want Swansea to lose on the South coast.
There's still nothing of any significance happening in this game. It's basically been like a training exercise of Spurs keeping possession from the opposition.
West Brom have had a couple of flurries forward and it has resulted in some noise from a bored home support. Progress...
SHOT! Finally, an effort on goal. Wanyama is given time and space to get a shot away on the edge of the area and the Kenyan's effort is tipped over the crossbar by Foster.
Despite that strike, West Brom will be pleased with the last five minutes. They are seeing more of the ball, especially down the right flank. Rose is being forced into some defending for the first time in the match.
More patient build-up from Spurs leads to another two crosses being curled into the penalty area but Foster's goal does not come under any threat.
CHANCE! Almost an opener for Spurs. Trippier plays the ball through to Kane who immediately looks for the far corner from an acute angle, but Foster manages to divert the ball behind for a corner.
Spurs will be relatively happy with their performance but they will want a goal before the break. They've put a lot of passes together for it not to count for much at half time.
The visitors are still knocking at the door, however. Kane is starting to find a lot more space and he is close to breaching the offside trap, only to be flagged when entering the penalty area.
LATEST! There has been a goal at the Vitality Stadium and Bournemouth lead Swansea! That could be a massive goal for West Brom.
Spurs have just won a free kick on the edge of the area and Lamela - who has not done a whole lot - took responsibility. However, his shot went straight into the wall and West Brom survived.
CHANCE! Out of nowhere, West Brom create a chance. Rodriguez got in behind Wanyama to get a header on goal and the ball is heading into the back of the net until Vertonghen gets himself in the way.
CHANCE! Out of nowhere, West Brom create a chance. Rodriguez got in behind Wanyama to get a header on goal and the ball is heading into the back of the net until Vertonghen gets himself in the way.
CHANCE! West Brom come close again! Phillips's delivery into the middle finds Hegazi but the Egyptian heads wide! He should at least be hitting the target.
HALF TIME: West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
The half-time whistle goes at The Hawthorns and we are goalless. Spurs have dominated for much of the first half but West Brom have had the better opportunities and should be ahead! It's been a weird game. West Brom need a win so expect more offensive play from the Baggies during the second half.
Spurs' best - and only - two real chances came through Wanyama and Kane. Firstly, Wanyama's long-range strike was prevented from finding the top corner by Foster, before the Baggies stopper was on hand to divert Kane's effort from inside the penalty area past the far post.
West Brom possess an advantage in the air but they did not make use of it until the closing minutes of the first half. Rodriguez's headed chance came as a result of his movement but he still beat Wanyama before seeing his effort cleared off the line by Vertonghen. Hegazi was then able to rise above the Spurs defence to meet a Phillips cross but the centre-back directed his attempt wide.
KICKOFF! We are back underway at The Hawthorns.
West Brom are carrying on where they left off. Phillips does well down the flank before crossing for Rondon, but the forward completely misses his kick before Brunt fires wide.
As it stands, West Brom are four points adrift of 17th-placed Swansea. Simply put, West Brom will be down without a win this afternoon. Bournemouth are doing them a favour but there is still a long way to go.
CHANCE! Kane would have probably expected to do better from here. The forward latched onto a cross and had the chance to head on goal, but the ball went harmlessly over the crossbar.
CHANCE! Spurs are upping the pressure again. The ball finds its way to Lamela inside of the six-yard box but the Argentine fires too close to Foster, who pulls off another splendid save.
We are nearing the hour mark in this match and Spurs have had 76% of the ball. For large parts, West Brom have not been able to get near them. Still, we remain goalless and the West Midlands outfit remain in this game.
Spurs continue to press with the referee waving away appeals for handball in the box before Wanyama sees a shot blocked by a defender. Is it time for Moore to make a change?
BOOKING! The first booking of the game goes to Hegazi, who concedes a free kick just out side of the penalty area.
SHOT! Eriksen and Lamela are both interested in the set piece and it's the latter who steps up to strike it, forcing Foster into another intervention.
BOOKINGS! More yellow cards, two of them. Rose raises his hands to Nyom but barely makes any contract at all. The West Brom throws himself to the ground theatrically and Rose is booked. The arguments continue and Nyom is cautioned. Deservedly so as well.
SUBSTITUTION! Spurs decide to make a change with Son replacing Alli.
It's Spurs who continue to make all of the running in this game. West Brom are certainly leaving it late before mounting a sustained charge on Lloris's goal. Rondon is starting to become isolated.
This might be a game for Llorente. The Spaniard has done very little all season but Spurs need more of a threat alongside Kane. They are trying to be too precise in and around the penalty area.
SUBSTITUTION! Well this is bizarre. Rondon is being hauled off - despite West Brom needing a goal - and Sturridge is replacing him.
CHANCE! Kane almost has the ball in the net but it's nearly his own! Hegazi got the ball back across goal and when attempting to clear, the Spurs forward inadvertently sent the ball towards Lloris's goal, who has to pull off a brilliant save.
SUBSTITUTION! A second switch for Spurs sees Moura come on for Lamela.
SUBSTITUTION! Now it's another switch for West Brom with Chadli replacing Rodriguez. Moore has taken off both of the club's top goalscorers...
BOOKING! Before the change, McClean went into the book for a rash challenge. He could have no complaints.
BOOKING! The rhythm is going from this match. Brunt joins McClean in the book. Both teams continue to look for a much-needed goal.
SUBSTITUTION! Vertonghen has sustained a knock to his ankle so Llorente is being introduced. Maybe that will prove to be a blessing in disguise...
West Brom have only had five shots on goal today. It's certainly not been enough for a team who need to win a football match.
SUBSTITUTION! Moore is going to face some questions about his substitutions later. McClean has been withdrawn for defensive midfielder Krychowiak.
There will be five minutes of added-on time. Can West Brom launch one final attack and prolong their Premier League status?
GOAL! West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (Jake Livermore)
UNBELIEVABLE! Moore has made three of the strangest substitutions that you will ever see given the circumstances but West Brom lead! A set piece was whipped into the area and after a goalmouth scramble, Livermore was on hand to prod home from close range against his former club!
Spurs are throwing everyone forward but time is running out. This result would bring Chelsea right back into the race for a Champions League place.
FULL TIME! West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur
The full-time whistle goes at The Hawthorns and West Brom have done it! It's still going to take a miracle for the club to remain in the Premier League but Livermore's late goal has kept their hopes alive. Spurs will not know how they have lost this game. They had over 75% of the ball!
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon.
If you would like to read our on-the-whistle match report, you can do so by clicking here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
