After two good results against a high flying Arsenal and an in form West Ham, the next London club to test our resolve were a promising looking Spurs side.
I entered The Hawthorns with a slight sense of optimism, but as always preparing for the worst (I do that a lot lately). From the off it was evident that this Spurs side looked well drilled, creative and will definitely be in the top 6 come the end of the season. Players such as Erikson, Dembele & Lamella all looked very keen to show off bits of trickery and spot that final killer pass. Although from our perspective, Rondon looked up for it, Sess looked dangerous out wide, Mozza fit back into the team with ease and Evans seemed surprisingly comfortable in his new and unusual role protecting the back 4.
Spurs had more of the possession in the opening period; we annoyingly seemed willing to play most men behind the ball whilst they passed from side to side. The breakthrough game when a lofted ball (most probably with the wind behind it) caused a mix up between our defenders and Myhill, resulting in a well taken opening goal from Alli.
However as we have shown in the past couple of matches, our heads didn’t drop and we still looked well in the game. After the break we came out looking more determined than ever, although we had lost one of our most attacking threats in Sessengnon through injury, Rondon didn’t stop running, Mozza & Fletcher grafted like never before and we suddenly seemed to get a real foothold in the game.
A great bit of build-up play resulted in a brilliant equaliser from McClean, his passion on show after scoring was matched by the crowds celebrations, The Hawthorns erupted with noise and we looked like the only team who would win the game from that point.
A great point blank save from Lloris and a couple of missed chances later Jonathon Moss blew for full time after a high intensity second half - an almost disappointing result in hindsight following our dominance in the final half an hour.
However, if you’d have asked most Albion fans before kick-off no doubt the majority would have been happy with a point. A good team performance, one of the best atmospheres down The Hawthorns this season and the players walking off to a standing ovation indicates than TP might just be starting to get that much needed balance of attack and defence a little more on point. Bring on Liverpool!
Come on you Baggies.
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