Filed under: Tottenham, West Brom, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Tottenham failed to put pressure on Manchester City and stake their claim for the all-important fourth place finish that will guarantee Champions League football next season, after drawing with West Bromwich Albion.The Spurs' manager, Harry Redknapp, knew his side could move up to fourth in the table with a win over the Baggies.
However, substitute Simon Cox scored a late equaliser for West Brom to leave Tottenham one point behind City, who do not play Blackburn Rovers until Monday.
Redknapp has outlined Tottenham's intentions to finish in the top four this season at the expense of Manchester City.
They went into this match off the back of a morale-boosting 3-3 draw with Arsenal after being 3-1 down at one stage.
Yet West Brom have seen their results improve under Roy Hodgson, who replaced Roberto Di Matteo in February.
The Baggies made an excellent start to this match when Peter Odemwingie capitalised on a slip-up by Benoit Assou-Ekotto to curl past Heurelho Gomes in the fifth minute.
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More bad news for Tottenham came in the form that Assou-Ekotto suffered a groin strain trying to stop the Nigeria international and needed to be substituted.
Tottenham pressed for an equaliser and got it in the 27th minute when Roman Pavlyuchenko pounced on Chris Brunt's poor clearance to hammer home from the edge of the box.
After the break, Odemwingie thought he had given West Brom the lead once again when he headed Nicky Shorey's cross goal-bound.
But the striker was denied by an excellent fingertip save by Gomes.
Spurs were struggling to find a way through a resilient West Brom midfield, despite all the excellent work by the impressive Sandro.
Aaron Lennon was introduced to add some more pace yet it was Defoe, who was quiet until the 67th minute, who turned this match on it's head.
The striker scored his 100th Premier League goal - and his 100th for Spurs - with a fine low finish from the edge of the box.
Yet there was still time for another twist as second-half substituted Cox curled home from the edge of the box with only nine minutes remaining to earn a share of the points.
In truth it was no less than West Brom deserved after a spirit performance in which they managed to match Tottenham in every department.
REACTION:
Redknapp admitted he was disappointed to see his side surrender their lead:
"At 2-1, I thought we were looking fine. I could not see that coming. The kid [Cox] has hit a world class strike. He has hit it from 25-yards into the top corner. Before that, there was no panic on. We even looked like we were going to score again."
On race for fourth place:
"It is going to be difficult but it is still all there to play for. I find it hard that now everyone expects us to be in the Champions League.
"Tottenham had never been in the Champions League before until this season and suddenly it is like 'we have to be in the Champions League'.
"Manchester City have gone out and spent God knows what to get above us. Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are there every year, Liverpool will be there next year. But it is difficult to get that fourth place. It has been a great season and it is not over yet."
On Bale playing left-back:
"That is where he will finish up playing. In years to come he will be the best left back in the world."
On first goal and Benoit Assou-Ekotto's slip:
"I think Benoit tore his hamstring running back."
On turning the club's results around:
"Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United will expect to be there every season. It is very hard to break into that group but we are still there. What was a big help to us last year was that we did not have the extra fixtures in Europe. That helped us qualify for the Champions League last season. There is nothing between City and Tottenham at the top. We have a good squad. We are only talking about a point's difference. This is the closest we have ever got to Arsenal and Chelsea. I think we can compete with the top clubs every year. I think there is a championship in this club, not just a Champions League place. I don't see why this team can't win the title. It will need a bit of investment but the nucleus is there."
Hodgson was pleased at seeing his side reach the 40 point mark for the
season:
"I am delighted with the point because Tottenham have been in excellent form. All the big-hitters were there today and were showing how good they were.
"But it was a splendid result. To come back from 2-1 down and draw 2-2, and it's given us what looks to be an important point given the way other results have gone.
"It has taken us to a psychological point at least, which is 40 [points]. A lot of people would say that is enough [to save us from relegation] but I think we might need a point or two more."
On making the tactical switch by bringing on Cox:
"Let's just say I was using the players at my disposal. It was not a masterful tactical switch."
On Cox's goal:
"I have seen him in training and he is a goal-scorer. Maybe it was his first in the Premier League because he has not had too many opportunities. He has not had too many games under me."
On being pleased with how West Brom are performing:
"It is a work in progress with West Brom but I am really pleased with the way things have gone since I joined the club. It would be very nice if we could sustain our position in the league and next year, bring in a few more players who can help these players out. We are asking a lot of our talented player but they have not got a lot of experience."
WHAT IT MEANS:
Tottenham are not making life easy for themselves. They have now won just one game in seven and that statistic needs to change if they are to beat City to snatch fourth spot. They enjoyed their Champions League experience this year and will be upset to miss out next season. For West Brom, they can start looking forward to next season and what promises to be a bright future under Hodgson. They are now up to 12th place in the table.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/04/23/tottenham-2-west-brom-2-simon-cox-football/
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