Morrison heads winner as West Brom edge woeful Spurs
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ByEurosport
Updated 21/09/2014 at 15:30 GMT
Premier League, White Hart Lane – Tottenham 0 West Brom 1 (Morrison 74)
West Bromwich Albion's James Morrison (L) celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal against Tottenham Hotspur during their English Premier League soccer match at White Hart lane in London September 21, 2014 (REUTERS)
Image credit: Eurosport
James Morrison headed the winner as West Brom secured maximum points for the first time this season in a deserved 1-0 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane in the Premier League.
Spurs dictated much of the opening period, but it was the visitors who fashioned the better chances with Saido Berahino, Craig Dawson and Joleon Lescott going close.
And the visitors edged ahead in the second half when Morrison profited from some hopeless Spurs defending to nod his side ahead.
Tottenham lacked invention, tempo and width as they limply set in pursuit of an equaliser with their attacking midfielders struggling to breakdown the Baggies defence.
Alan Irvine’s first victory as West Brom manager carried them off the bottom of the table and left Spurs with seven points from five games.
KEY MOMENTS
3’ – SO CLOSE! The initial corner is cleared, but it's quickly flung back into the mixer and Craig Dawson heads towards goal... Just over.
4’ – CHANCE! Saido Berahino evades the offside trap but he blazes wide after a woeful first touch. Spurs look ropey at the back.
10’ – CHANCE! Dawson blocks a goalbound shot from Lescott after Lloris had a flap in the penalty area. So unlucky for West Brom!
37’ – GOAL RULED OUT! Berahino pops up inside the penalty area and pokes past Lloris. The flag shoots up immediately. Not sure what Kaboul was doing.
44’ – CLOSE! Third time lucky for Eriksen. Cross number one blocked, cross number two blocked, cross number three should be buried by Adebayor. Not sure how the Togo striker missed that.
55’ – CHANCE! Berahino skips past Chiriches with ease and thumps a wobbly shot at goal. Lloris watches it intently and saves.
63’ – CHANCE! Foster spills Eriksen's through ball and takes a clout from Soldado. Can anyone poke home the rebound? Nope.
74’ – GOAL! Spurs 0-1 West Brom. Brunt swings a corner into the penalty area, the Spurs defence collapses and an unmarked Morrison heads home.
90+2’ – LAST-GASP CHANCE! Lennon weaves down the right, twisting and turning his marker and sending a cross into the mixer... It's Paulinho... Bicycle kick... Over.
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Tottenham v West Brom
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
West Brom have made the exact same start to the PL season as they did last season - one win, two draws, and two losses after the first five matches.
Defeat confirmed Spurs’ worst start to a season since 2008/09
West Brom earn their first top flight win away to Spurs since 3 November 1984
Stats courtersy of Infostrada
TALKING POINT
Why didn’t Spurs bring on Aaron Lennon sooner? Narrow Tottenham were crying out for a speedy winger, but Mauricio Pochettino delayed until falling behind before throwing on the small speedster. It was all too easy for the West Brom defence.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Joleon Lescott (West Brom): Slotted seamlessly into the West Brom defence and marshalled the opposition attack with ease.
PLAYER RATINGS
Tottenham: Lloris 5, Dier 6, Kaboul 5, Chiriches 4, Rose 6, Capoue 6, Dembele 6, Chadli 6, Eriksen 5, Lamela 5, Adebayor 5… Subs: Paulinho 6, Soldado 6, Lennon 6.
West Brom: Foster 6, Wisdom 6, Dawson 8, Lescott 8, Pocognoli 6, Dorrans 6, Morrison 7, Gardner 6, Brunt 7, Sessegnon 7, Berahino 7… Subs: Anichebe N/A.
MATCH IN A TWEET
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