Late drama keeps another Great Escape on the cards

Moore had overseen a dramatic turn in form for West Brom, going undefeated and earning eight points from a possible 12, but they still knew that nothing less than a win against Tottenham would see them relegated to the Championship. Three minutes from time, the goal that would keep their survival hopes alive for at least another few days arrived.

Tottenham, for their part, came in with a rarely seen formation as they attempted to consolidate their position in the Champions League spaces. Toby Alderweireld returned to the starting linuep alongside Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen.

It looked to be working for Mauricio Pochettino during the first half as his side dominated proceedings entirely. Harry Kane missed an early effort before man of the match Ben Foster pulled of a series of stunning saves to keep his side in the tie. Toward the end of the half West Brom did get down the other end but Jay Rodriguez saw an effort headed away from underneath the crossbar and half time came with the scores still even.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first, Tottenham dominating possession without creating any meaningful chances. They were threatening in wide areas all game but any aerial balls into the box were quickly dispatched by the West Brom defence.

Both goalkeepers then had their moments as Eriksen’s free kick was palmed away by Foster before Lloris had to save from an unlikely source. Harry Kane’s sliced clearance in the six yard box was flying into the back of the net until the Frenchman reacted quickly to get a fingertip to it.

With 15 minutes to go it must have been agony for the West Brom fans who must have been sensing that the victory was there for the taking with every passing minute that they didn’t concede.

 

5 May 2018

Two minutes into five added on, it came. A corner was swung into the box and eventually trickled over the line following an almighty scramble. Only Danny Rose and Jake Livermore will ever know who got the final touch, but that didn’t matter to the home fans. The roof came off the Hawthorns, although looking at Darren Moore you wouldn’t know it.

It is a result which gives the Baggies a sliver of hope, but not much. Mathematically they are still a Premier League team for now, but only for a few hours. If Southampton win against Everton in Saturday’s late game then Moore’s hard work will have been in vain. It’s now 11 points from 15 that West Brom have won since he took over, nothing to be sniffed at. But it will likely still be a case of what could have been after their poor form under Alan Pardew for most of the season.

 

5 May 2018