Keane rescues Spurs as Baggies out of bottom three

Tottenham 1 West Brom 1

Keane rescues Spurs as Baggies out of bottom three

Bryan Robson's side looked set to extend their impressive run of three victories from their last five outings when midfielder Zoltan Gera pounced to give them a first-half lead they richly deserved.

But the arrival of Egyptian striker Mido for the second half gave Spurs a physical presence they had lacked and he provided the 52nd minute equaliser for Robbie Keane.

Spurs were carved wide open with just a minute on the clock with Kevin Campbell and Richard Chaplow combining to superb effect. Their work fashioned an excellent chance for Campbell but he waited too long before pulling the trigger, allowing Michael Dawson and Erik Edman to snuff out the danger.

Gera struck a free-kick inches wide but there was panic in the West Brom defence moments later when Thomas Gaardsoe almost headed into his own net with only a finger-tip save from Russell Hoult denying him.

Sean Davis saw a glancing header sail just over the crossbar before play swiftly changed ends with Kanu threatening down the right until his light cross was cleared away by Dawson.

Kanu was in the thick of the action again in the 23rd minute with some slick footwork supplying the ball to Paul Robinson but his first touch was so bad he had turn and regain possession.

West Brom were getting the better of their opponents and deservedly took the lead in the 24th minute when Dawson headed a Richard Chaplow header into the path of Gera, who picked his spot and rifled home from eight yards out.

Chaplow making his full debut with Jonathan Greening suspended was enjoying a lively game and he nearly made it two after with 29 minutes on the clock after meeting a Kanu cross at the far post only for Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson to scramble the ball to safety.

Spurs upped the tempo in response to West Brom's control and began to take the initiative by attacking with more urgency, almost meeting instant reward through a Stephen Kelly header which slipped off-target.

For all their ambition, however, Jol's side were struggling to unlock a solid looking West Brom defence with the visitors threatening to pounce for a second on the counter.

Jol brought on Mido and Thimothee Atouba for Davis and Edman and the alteration almost paid instant dividends with Mido weaving his way between Gaardsoe and Ronnie Wallwork and into an excellent scoring position.

But with the all the hard work done, the Egyptian marksman scuffed his shot badly and it trickled wide. of the left post allowing West Brom to breath a heavy sigh of relief.

Ledley King and Mido both fluffed tricky opportunities but Spurs could not be denied for much longer as they found openings with increasing frequency and the equaliser arrived in the 52nd minute.

A floated pass from Atouba found Mido, who fended off a challenge from Gaardsoe before finding Keane on the edge of the area and the Republic of Ireland international buried the ball in the back of the net.

Atouba nearly set up a second for Keane at the far post but the striker could not quite reach the ball while Andy Reid's powerful effort soon after went close to breaking the deadlock.

Gera almost slipped a shot through at the right post after racing in and meeting Chaplow's superb flick-on but the ball crept agonisingly wide as West Brom continued to pose a threat on the counter.

Spurs dominated the final 20 minutes as they poured forward in search of the winner but they were denied by stout defending from West Brom , who refused to buckle. in the face of heavy pressure.

TOTTENHAM: Robinson, Kelly, King, Dawson, Edman (Atouba 45), Davies, Davis (Mido 45), Carrick, Reid, Defoe (Ziegler 75), Keane.

WEST BROM: Hoult, Scimeca, Gaardsoe, Clement, Robinson, Gera, Richardson (Inamoto 23), Wallwork, Chaplow, Kanu (Earnshaw 83), Campbell (Moore 60).

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).

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