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Live Commentary: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 West Bromwich Albion - as it happened

Read Sports Mole's live text coverage of West Brom's first Premier League win of the season as a James Morrison header inflicted a 1-0 home defeat on Spurs.
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James Morrison scored inside the final 20 minutes to give West Bromwich Albion a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this afternoon.

Both sides had chances in the first half, but the two sides struggled to make the most of their opportunities.

The Baggies could have had a penalty when Emmanuel Adebayor appeared to handle the ball, while Saido Berahino had a goal chalked off for offside.

Read how all the action unfolded below:


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Good afternoon! It's around an hour until kickoff at White Hart Lane where West Bromwich Albion will be looking for their first win of the season against Tottenham Hotspur. The teams have just been revealed, so let's take a look at the lineups...

SPURS STARTING XI: Lloris, Dier, Kaboul, Chiriches, Rose, Capoue, Dembele, Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela, Adebayor

WEST BROM STARTING XI: Foster, Wisdom, Dawson, Lescott, Pocognoli, Dorrans, Morrison, Gardner, Brunt, Sessegnon, Berahino

SPURS SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Naughton, Vertonghen, Bentaleb, Lennon, Paulinho, Soldado

WEST BROM SUBSTITUTES: Myhill, Baird, McAuley, Mulumbu, Gamboa, Anichebe, Ideye

As expected, Andros Townsend misses out after suffering a dead leg while on duty in the Europa League earlier this week. However, Emmanuel Adebayor comes back into the side, have been rested against Partizan.

For the visitors, Joleon Lescott comes in to make his debut for the club, but there's no first appearance for Silvestre Varela. Youssouf Mulumbu and Victor Anichebe, who have both had injuries to deal with at the start of the season, are both fit enough to take a place on the bench, alongside record signing Brown Ideye.

Here's a shot of White Hart Lane from a little earlier today. As you can see, it's perfect conditions at the ground this lunchtime.


West Brom have not had too much success against Spurs in recent seasons. Tottenham have not last in their last nine matches against the Baggies, but they have drawn three of their last four matches at White Hart Lane. They have beaten Spurs since December 2008, but that victory came at The Hawthorns.

Spurs made a strong start to the season, with wins against West Ham and QPR taking them to the top of the table, but defeat to Liverpool followed by a draw with Sunderland last time out have dropped them down to seventh in the standings heading into this match.

West Brom are yet to pick up a win this season, with two draws and two defeats from their first four outings under Alan Irvine. As a result, West Brom are at the bottom of the table, but a win today could move them as high as 11th.

Ahead of kickoff, Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris told the club's website: "We were disappointed to only draw at Sunderland and now we want to bounce back in front of our fans. We were very disappointed after the game because we had the feeling that we had a good performance but we conceded two easy goals and when you work hard all week, you want to leave the pitch without regrets. It's good to learn about that and I'm sure we'll be ready for West Brom."

Meanwhile, Baggies manager Alan Irvine said: "I believe we will get this right. The players are great to work with, it's a pleasure working with them on a day-to-day basis. They're very open to the work we're doing on the training ground and I feel really confident that with the group of players we've got here and with the work we do, that we'll get good results."

The main problem for West Brom at the start of this season has been goalscoring. Saido Berahino hit a brace on the opening day of the season, but they haven't found the back of the net since. This could be a good day for them to break that streak though, as Spurs have let in five in their last two outings in the league.

Spurs' outing in the Europa League earlier this week is reason that this match is being played on a Sunday rather than a Saturday. As you can see from this stat, it's something that the hosts are well used to.


This is the middle of a busy week for Spurs, as they will play their third match in six days when they host Nottingham Forest in the League Cup on Wednesday. West Brom will also be in action in midweek, as they host Hull City.

Part of West Brom's struggles at the start of this season have been down to their new players taking a little while to settle in. In their last match against Everton, just four of their 11 summer arrivals started the match, while record signing Brown Ideye is yet to score.

Players from both sides have been out warming up ahead of kickoff, which isn't all that far off now. Here are the home players completing their warm up routine:


REFEREE WATCH! Kevin Friend is the referee for this match. It will be his third match in the top flight this season, and his first with either of these two sides. He's handed out eight yellow cards in his last two matches, but hasn't had to reach for the red yet this campaign.

We've got coverage of all four top flight matches that are taking place today. As well as this match, Leicester City kick off against Manchester United shortly, so if you want to keep an eye on that game as well, you can do so here.

The players make their way out of tunnel at White Hart Lane ready for kickoff.

PREDICTION! Just time for a quick prediction before the action gets underway. Spurs are clearly the favourites, and I can't see West Brom causing an upset this afternoon. I'm going for a 2-0 win to the hosts.

KICKOFF! West Brom get the match underway.

CHANCE! West Brom win an early corner as Berahino puts Chiriches under pressure at the back. It's initially cleared put Sessegnon gets it back in to Craig Dawson, who heads just over.

CHANCE! Adebayor tries to muscle his way onto the ball on the edge of the box as West Brom take a throw in, but Pocognoli does enough to keep possession for the visitors. Berahino quickly breaks down the other end and seems to be clear through on goal, but Kaboul closes him down and forces the England Under-21 international to slice his shot well high. What a bright start it's been by the visitors.

Spurs get their first real sight of the West Brom goal with a corner, but Ben Foster is ready and manages to punch it clear before the hosts can get a shot away.

Rose and Chadli link up well down the left flank before the latter tries to pick out Erik Lamela with a curling cross into the box, but the midfielder doesn't get the ball in time, and it goes behind for a goal kick. After a positive start by the visitors, Spurs are starting to take control of the possession now.

CHANCE! Wisdom gets forward and puts Chiriches under pressure, forcing the defender to give away another corner. Kaboul turns the first delivery behind for another corner before James Morrison gets a shot away. Lloris punches his effort away but only as far as Lescott, but the defender can't find a gap to fire the ball home.

Having tried to open the scoring down the other end a few moments earlier, Lescott makes a vital block at the back for the Baggies on his debut as Chadli looks for Lamela once again. The midfielder appears to have lost his marker, but Lescott races back to make the clearance.

CHANCE! It's really end to end stuff at the moment, with West Brom quickly getting another corner. They take it short, setting up Craig Gardner for a powerful volley from just outside the box, which he hits superbly, but Lloris pulls off a diving save to prevent the visitors from breaking the deadlock.

Spurs win the ball back in midfield, with a high ball forward falling nicely for Eriksen on the edge of the area, and he backheels it towards Adebayor, but the striker wasn't expecting it, allowing West Brom to clear the threat.

Mauricio Pochettino is pacing the touchline furiously, clearly concerned that West Brom have managed to stretch his defenders in the opening 20 minutes this afternoon. The frantic pace is just starting to settle down a little, with the hosts looking to build possession in midfield.

Spurs are bearing down on the West Brom penalty area, and Eriksen tries to put in the through ball with Adebayor and Chadli waiting in the box, but Lescott made the block.

Adebayor is floored by a heavy challenge from Dawson. Kevin Friend doens't award the home side a free kick, but the clash certainly seems to have left it's mark on the forward as he takes a few moments to get back to his feet before limping towards midfield.

It's all gone a bit quiet in the last couple of minutes, with Spurs comfortable keeping possession inside their own half. Friend has to intervene when Brunt and Dembele clash, but the referee doesn't reach for his cards, just giving to duo a good talking to before the action resumes.

PENALTY APPEAL! The visitors want a spot kick as their corner is whipped into a crowded box. Initially it looks like Spurs get the ball away comfortably, but Craig Dawson immediately looks to the referee for a penalty, believing that Adebayor used his hand to stop the defender's header. Looking at the replays, Dawson appears to have been right, but it was a difficult one for the referee to call in real time.

Lescott has been solid at the back on his West Brom debut, and he makes another crucial block as Dier tries to cross in for Adebayor, but the former Man City defender is ready for the ball.

The visitors win a free kick around 35 yards out, which Gardner delivers to Sessegnon on the edge of the area, but Rose comes out to nod the ball away.

CHANCE! Probably the best chance of the day for Spurs falls to Adebayor as a long ball forward from Eriksen is weighted perfectly for Adebayor, but once again Lescott gets there, just getting the slightest touch on his shot to guide it into Foster's hands.

DISALLOWED GOAL! Saido Berahino thinks that he has opened the scoring for the visitors as he sprints towards the Tottenham goal to fire in from a Brunt cross, but the assistant referee rightly flags him for offside, as he timed his run just a fraction early.

There's a bit of a mix-up between Lloris and Chiriches as the defender puts too much on a back pass towards the keeper, and the French international fails to control it while coming under pressure from Berahino, but he gets it away at the second time of asking.

West Brom try to put the hosts under pressure again as half time approaches, forcing a corner, but Lloris comes off his line to claim it. Spurs immediately break down the other end, with Chadli setting up Eriksen, whose shot is turned behind for a corner.

CHANCE! From the resulting corner, Kaboul rises highest in the centre of the box to get a header away, but it flies just high of the crossbar.

CHANCE! West Brom give Eriksen far too much time near the left corner flag as he has three attempts at getting a cross in. Eventually, he does manage to deliver the ball to Adebayor, but striker can't quite reach it for what would have been a simple tap in from just a yard out.

HALF TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-0 West Bromwich Albion

An entertaining but goalless first half comes to an end at White Hart Lane, with chances for both teams and a little bit of controversy over the penalty appeal All in all, it makes for a gripping second half.

Adebayor has probably had the two best chances of the match, but has not quite had his finishing touch this afternoon. His biggest contribution may have been at the other end though as he blocked a Craig Dawson strike, with replays revealing that he used his hand. Joleon Lescott will also feel aggrieved not to have opened the scoring, with an early effort from him being blocked by his teammate Craig Gardner.

Let's take a look at some of the stats from the first half. Tottenham saw the bulk of the possession with 64%, but it was West Brom who created the more shots, with five to Spurs' three.

As well as the penalty decision, there was another controversial moment when Saido Berahino had a goal ruled out for offside. The visitors shouldn't have too much cause for complaint with that decision though, as a still did show that the striker was a little too keen with his run into the box. The England Under-21 has looked pretty lively this afternoon, so could easily get another chance after the break.

The players are starting to make their way back out for the second half,

KICKOFF! The match is back underway.

Neither side have made any changes at half time. Spurs look to put the visitors under pressure straight away, with Capoue picking out Rose, who in turn crosses for Eriksen, but it's turned behind for a corner. This will be an early test for the West Brom defenders in this second half.

Nacer Chadli heads wide from the corner, allowing West Brom to try and get the ball down the other end, but the move comes to nothing as Dembele gets a block in.

Eriksen has caused problems through midfield for West Brom all day and he gets the better of them again as he races through the middle before putting a through-ball in for Lamela, but it goes straight through to Foster in the West Brom goal.

CHANCE! West Brom win yet another corner, and it falls to Craig Gardner on the edge of the box, who hits it on the volley, but he doesn't get the finish quite right, with the ball curling well wide.

CHANCE! What a strike from Berahino! Sessegnon fires the ball forward for the striker, who hits it low first time from just outside the box, but Lloris pulls off a superb save to deny the West Brom man. Berahino buries his head in his hands as he sees the ball cleared.

It looks like Alan Irvine could be getting ready to make his first change as Mulumbu is warming up. Back on the pitch, Berahino tries to set up another chance, racing down the right flank before looking for Sessegnon, but he's closed down by Dembele.

SUB! It's a double change for the hosts as Paulinho replaces Dembele and Roberto Soldado takes over from Nacer Chadli. That should give Adebayor a bit more support up front.

CHANCE! Lamela wins free kick when he's brought down by Gardner, and he takes it quick, setting up Eriksen to chip the ball into the box, with Soldado and Adebayor both waiting for it. They both get a shot, but Foster scrambles superbly, throwing himself at both attempts to keep the ball out, but it has left the keeper with a cut above his right eye. Superb dedication from the West Brom stopper!

West Brom's physio spends a couple of minutes liberally applying vaseline to Foster's eye, and it seems to have stemmed the bleeding so it shouldn't be an issue for him to carry on.

Pochettino is pacing and shouting fro the edge of his technical area as he tries to psyche his players up to push for a late winner. Rose comes up from the back to try and set something up, but it comes to nothing.

CHANCE! West Brom win a throw in just next to the corner flag, and it's tossed to Sessegnon, who weaves superbly through the Spurs defenders before driving the ball towards goal from the edge of the box, but Lloris is once again on hand to make the stop. The keeper has certainly been tested by the visitors this afternoon.

CHANCE! In fact, both keepers have had to be at their best this afternoon as Roberto Soldado immediately races down the other end to test Ben Foster, but the striker fires straight at the West Brom keeper, and he's left with a comfortable save.

BOOKING! Kevin Friend has to reach for the yellow card for the first time this afternoon as Danny Rose leaps into the back of Graham Dorrans, knocking the West Brom midfielder to the ground.

GOAL! Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 West Bromwich Albion (James Morrison)

With 15 minutes to play, West Brom have broken the deadlock, and it's come from a corner. James Morrison is left unmarked in the box, giving him a free header past Lloris at the far post.

SUB! Pochettino immediately responds by making his final change of the game, bringing on Aaron Lennon in place of Etienne Capoue.

The hosts manage to force a corner as they looks for an equaliser. Dawson manages to clear the delivery though, before West Brom win a free kick inside their own half, which Foster launches deep, but there are no Baggies players forward.

Soldado tries to jump to meet a high ball forward, but his first touch is poor and Dawson, who has really been kept very busy this afternoon, boots it clear.

BOOKING! Stephane Sessegnon is back to help out the defence, but he gets a challenge on Lamela somewhat wrong, earning himself a booking.

CHANCE! Eriksen takes the free kick, but it looks like he was caught between two minds whether to cross or go for goal, as he curls it straight to Foster.

Tottenham have had plenty of possession in the last couple of minutes, but West Brom look well organised at the back, and are doing enough to prevent their hosts getting forward.

An irregular bounce catches Chiriches out, nearly letting Sessegnon in, but the midfielder's first touch is poor, and it runs on for Lloris to gather.

BOOKING! Soldado battles hard to Lescott to try and create something late on, but the striker tries a bit too hard, charging into the defender with his shoulder to earn himself a booking.

SUB! West Brom make their first change of the match, bringing Victor Anichebe on in place of Stephane Sessegnon, who has put in quite a shift this afternoon.

CHANCE! Lennon gets the better of Pocognoli with some quick footwork, crossing in for Paulinho, but the Brazilians finish is rushed and goes well high of the crossbar.

CHANCE! Adebayor is bearing down on Foster, who is out of position, but Dawson is back to clear the header off the line.

BOOKING! West Brom hava a goal, but Foster gets a yellow for taking too long to take it.

FULL TIME: Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 West Bromwich Albion

James Morrison's second-half header gives West Bromwich Albion their first Premier League win of the season. As things stand, that lifts the Baggies off the bottom of the table and up to 15th.

For Spurs, it means that they are without a win in their last three league outings, and their last four in all competitions, leaving them eighth in the table.

Well that's all from White Hart Lane for now, but stick around for our continued coverage of the Premier League, including match reports, player ratings, manager reaction and live commentaries of the two 4pm kickoffs. Thanks for joining me this afternoon, goodbye.

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Tottenham's Andros Townsend during the UEFA Europa League Group K football match Tromso IL vs Tottenham Hotspur FC in Tromso, on November 28, 2013
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