Tottenham's poor home form continued as they laboured to a 1-1 draw against Premier League strugglers West Brom. The visitors took the lead in the fourth minute after Dele Alli had carelessly given the ball away in midfield and Tottenham struggled to find any rhythm in a disjointed first half. Spurs upped the tempo in the second half but chances were still thin on the ground and the close-range equaliser from Harry Kane in the 74th minute came as both a relief and a surprise. Tottenham pressed for a winner but the clearest chances fell to West Brom.
Positives
After a thoroughly lacklustre first 45 minutes, Spurs did show more urgency in the second half and their pressure was rewarded with a goal. Son Heung-min impressed with his direct running, if not his final ball, while the introduction of Mousa Dembele on the hour mark gave Spurs more solidity in midfield.
Negatives
A point is not enough from games like this. Any title hopes look to be gone and Spurs main objective must now be to secure a top-four finish. Tottenham look too flat and lack the creativity and variety to break down sides intent on defending. Spurs are missing the width that Kyle Walker and Danny Rose provided last year and it's looking increasingly essential that Spurs strengthen their attacking options in the coming transfer window.
Manager rating out of 10
4 -- This is a game the fans have seen all too often this season and the manager has to take a large part of the blame. It's all very well being able to lift his players and outthink the opposition on big European glory nights, but Mauricio Pochettino needs to be able to set up his side better against the less glamorous opposition. Tottenham starting the game as if they were suffering a hangover from the midweek game against Dortmund is just unacceptable at this level. Pochettino needs to get his players better focused.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Hugo Lloris, 6 -- Looked to be completely wrong-footed by Salomon Rondon's scuffed shot and could only stand and watch as it trickled into the goal. Thereafter had few saves to make. Could be time to relieve Lloris of captaincy. Spurs need someone to show leadership on the field in games like these and the goalkeeper is not the man to provide it.
DF Kieran Trippier, 6 -- Saw plenty of the ball but rarely managed to get his final ball into telling areas. His build-up play is more predictable than last season as he lacks the confidence to run at opposition full-backs and take them on.
DF Davinson Sanchez, 6 -- Was not nearly strong enough in holding off Rondon for West Brom's goal. He looked odds on to get to the ball first but allowed himself to be brushed aside. Improved thereafter, but the damage was done.
DF Eric Dier, 7 -- A solid enough performance at the heart of the defence. With Spurs having more than 70 percent of the possession throughout the game, Dier was rarely called upon to make telling interventions.
DF Jan Vertonghen, 7 -- Looked to be badly winded when he was upended in the second half and was substituted soon thereafter as Pochettino went all out in search of an equaliser. An error-free game.
DF Ben Davies, 6 -- Lacks the pace to make a really telling contribution down the left flank and his crosses seldom beat the first defender. Became stretched in the second half as Tottenham pressed and West Brom twice found clear space behind him from which they ought to have scored.
MF Harry Winks, 7 -- Didn't do much wrong and was one of the few to display any real urgency in a lethargic first half. His passing was as neat as ever but with few players running into space he was unable to unpick a tight West Brom defence.
Harry Kane scores for Tottenham against West Brom. Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
MF Christian Eriksen, 5 -- A day to forget. Right from the start Eriksen looked to be off the pace, both mentally and physically. His passing was poor, he created almost nothing and should probably have been substituted rather than Winks.
MF Dele Alli, 6 -- It was his error that helped set up the West Brom opener when he was easily dispossessed in midfield. Thereafter he had one of those frustrating days where little went right. Almost got on the end of a Trippier deflected shot but partially redeemed his lacklustre display by providing the assist for Kane's equaliser.
MF Son Heung-min, 7 -- The only player prepared to run at the West Brom defence. Son looked threatening every time he got the ball, though all too often his final pass or shot let him down. Faded as the game went on.
FW Harry Kane, 8 -- Spurs' talisman turned up in the right place at the right time to nudge home Alli's cross for the equaliser. Otherwise played in fits and starts. Made a couple of good runs to get in promising situations but his final efforts were off target. Still probably getting back to full match fitness.
Substitutes
MF Mousa Dembele, 7 -- Gave Spurs a lot more snap in midfield. His ability to retain possession enabled the team to maintain attacking momentum, though his final ball was often too safe.
FW Fernando Llorente, 5 -- Still a shadow of the player he was at Swansea. Brought on to give Spurs an aerial edge but contributed little with his fist touch too often being far too heavy.
Source: espn.co.uk