White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs
Saturday 2nd May 2009, Kick Off 15:00
Premier League, Match 35
REFEREE: Rob Styles (Waterlooville, Hampshire)
COMMENT:
Tottenham take on West Bromwich Albion for the 135th time in the penultimate home Premier League game on Saturday with a very impressive record of five consecutive clean sheets and four wins at White Hart Lane. We first played them in an FA Cup Semi-Final in 1901 on our way to winning the FA Cup for the first time in our history.
The Baggies are currently six points adrift of Hull City at the bottom of the League table and look odds-on of being relegated, despite some fighting performances in recent weeks.
Spurs, of course, come into the match fresh from a very disappointing defeat at Old Trafford in a game very much of two halves. We dominated proceedings in the first 45 minutes and went two goals up through Darren Bent and Luka Modric after some fine work again by Aaron Lennon, who was the provider of everything good down the right wing once more. A very poor penalty decision in the second half against Heurelho Gomes opened the floodgates to a period of United domination during which they chalked-up four more goals as the Spurs defence caved-in.
West Brom have already beaten Spurs at the Hawthorns 2-0 in the last game of 2008 and will fancy their chances of getting something from the match on Saturday.
The 134 matches played so far have seen Spurs win 53, West Brom win 54 and 27 drawn games.
TEAM NEWS:
Tottenham have strikers Jermain Defoe (personal) and Roman Pavlyuchenko (back injury) returning to the squad.
Fraizer Campbell is in contention having been ineligible for the league match at Old Trafford.
Tottenham Hotspur(from):
Gomes, Corluka, King, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Lennon, Jenas, Pavlyuchenko, Modric, Keane, Palacios, Cudicini, Bale, Zokora, Bentley, Chimbonda, O'Hara, Hutton, Defoe.
West Brom defender Abdoulaye Meite has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, so Shelton Martis is set to deputise.
Graham Dorrans is battling to overcome a foot injury, while fellow midfielder James Morrison is again ruled out with a heel problem.
West Brom (from):
Carson, Zuiverloon, Martis, Olsson, Robinson, Brunt, Greening, Koren, Dorrans, Simpson, Fortune, Kiely, Teixeira, Menseguez, Valero, Mulumbu, Wood, Bednar, Cech, Do-Heon.
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray:
"We could lose on Saturday but win the last three games and it might be enough to stay up, depending on the results of other teams.
"But we could win all four games and it still might not be enough.
"I don't get overly concerned or worried about it."
BIG-MATCH FACTS:
Tottenham can put another nail in West Brom's coffin and enhance their own chances of a seventh placed finish and possible European football by claiming a fifth consecutive home league win. They boast the best current home form in the highest league.
On the day Spurs let a two-goal lead transform into a 5-2 thrashing by Manchester United at Old Trafford, no thanks to referee Howard Webb, West Brom reignited hopes of a last ditch survival bid with Saturday's 3-0 victory over Sunderland at the Hawthorns. But the Baggies have only managed back-to-back wins once this season, and have not won nor scored in London.
Another defeat for Tony Mowbray's side could leave them just one point short of their third relegation from the Premier League and second after just one season. They are set to become the Premier League's 24th side to go down the season after promotion.
But West Brom travel in search of their second double of the campaign. They've already beaten Middlesbrough home and away, and ended 2008 with a 2-0 victory over Spurs at the Hawthorns.
Albion have not won at White Hart Lane in 25 years, since an odd goal in five top-flight triumph on 3 November 1984.
Distance between the clubs: 126 miles (203 kilometres)
CLUB FORM
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
10th 44 points
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 7th
Lowest could fall: 11th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. In danger of their first back-to-back defeats in 14 Premier League outings, since losing away to West Brom and Wigan on 28 December 2008 and 11 January 2009 respectively.
2. Three points up on this same stage last season, when 11th in the table - their final placing.
3. Need one victory to take their total of wins in top-flight football to 1,200.
4. Conceded 888 goals all-time in the Premier League.
5. Completed nine Premier League games since failing to score; the longest current run of any club.
6. Won the last four home league games against Middlesbrough, Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle, and not conceded in five at home or 483 minutes (eight hours three minutes) since James Beattie netted Stoke's consolation in the 3-1 win on 27 January. Also, not lost in nine at the Lane; won five and drawn four since Everton's 0-1 triumph on 30 November - their only reverse in 13 on home soil.
7. White Hart Lane has witnessed fewer Premier League goals than any other ground this season; 27 (18 for, nine against - which is 1.59 per game). Last season the ground saw the highest number of top-flight goals (80, 46 for and 34 against).
8. Ever-presents in the Premier League, but never finished higher than fifth (2005-06 and 2006-07) or lower than 15th, averaging a 10th placed finish.
9. Not yet been 'doubled' this season, but Everton, as well as West Brom could complete home and away victories over them.
10. Still to visit Liverpool on the last day of the season, 24 May. The full run-in is:- Everton (a), Manchester City (h) and Liverpool (a).
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
20th 28 points
Highest realistically achievable after Saturday's matches: 19th
Lowest could fall: 20th
Best & Worst categories in 2008-09 Premier League
1. Ended an 11-match winless run in the Premier League with victory over Sunderland last Saturday.
2. Not achieved back-to-back victories in 27 outings, since Middlesbrough (a) and Fulham (h) were defeated on 27 September and 4 October respectively.
3. Kept just two clean sheets in 12 league games.
4. Three short of conceding 250 goals all-time in the Premier League.
5. On an unrivalled 14-match winless run away from home; picked up just three points from the 42 available since a 0-1 victory over Middlesbrough on 27 September - their only away maximum all season.
6. This will be the clubs' 75th away match in Premier League history; they have only won six so far.
7. Without victory in 11 top-flight visits to London; only ever managed two Premier League wins in the capital (at West Ham on 11 September 2002, and Charlton on 19 March 2005).
8. The current total of 28 points after 34 games matches their return three years ago, when one off the foot, They remained in that position and were ultimately relegated.
10. The run-in after this:- Wigan (h), Liverpool (h) and Blackburn (a).
KEY PLAYER NOTES
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Darren BENT is Tottenham's top scorer of Premier League goals with 12.
BENT is also a double shy of 100 career league goals (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).
If selected:-
BENT will be making his 250th career league appearance (Ipswich, Charlton and Tottenham).
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Scott CARSON is the only remaining player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of West Brom's Premier League matches this season.
Chris BRUNT is the Baggies' leading Premier League scorer with seven goals.
If selected:-
Filipe TEIXEIRA will be making his 50th appearance for West Brom.
HEAD TO HEAD
Spurs are looking to avenge the 2-0 loss at the Hawthorns in December. Defeat would see the Baggies doing the double over them for the first time since 1981-82.
Spurs need to score three times to total 100 goals in home league games against West Brom.
Both these clubs have scored 195 goals against each other in all competitions.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Spurs 41 wins, WBA 48, Draws 24
Prem: Spurs 3 wins, WBA 2, Draws 2
at WBA only
League (inc PL): Spurs 27 wins, WBA 14, Draws 15
Prem: Spurs 2 wins, WBA 0, Draws 1
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
28 December 2008 - Ref: Steve Tanner
WBA scorers: Bednar 83, Beattie 90
Sent Off: Assou-Ekotto (Spurs) 35
MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION:
Tottenham are very good at home and create an awful lot of chances and I think on the day they will just be a little too strong for the Baggies.
West Brom had a great win last week against Sunderland, but they can really struggle on the road. Both sides play decent, attractive football though so it could be an entertaining clash.
Verdict: Tottenham, Hotspur 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
HARRY'S SPURS RECORD AT WHITE HART LANE:
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
FA Cup SF 08-Apr-01 46,000 VP W 4 - 0 Brown (4)
FA Cup 1 07-Feb-03 25,641 H D 0 - 0
FA Cup 1 Replay 11-Feb-03 35,000 A W 2 - 0 Dryburgh,Woodward
Division 2 07-Nov-08 20,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 2 13-Mar-09 35,000 H L 1 - 3 Woodruff
Division 1 09-Sep-11 31,000 H W 1 - 0 Minter
Division 1 06-Jan-12 4,000 A X 0 - 0 Match Abandoned after 57 mins - Fog
FA Cup 1 13-Jan-12 22,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 13-Mar-12 12,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 21-Mar-13 34,000 H W 3 - 1 Cantrell, Bliss (2)
Division 1 24-Mar-13 20,000 A L 1 - 4 Middlemiss
Division 1 06-Dec-13 24,000 H W 3 - 0 Bauchop (2), Middlemiss
Division 1 11-Apr-14 15,000 A D 1 - 1 Cantrell
Division 1 28-Sep-14 8,500 H W 2 - 0 Clay (pen), Fleming
Division 1 06-Apr-15 6,000 A L 2 - 3 Steel R, Cantrell
Charity Shield 15-May-20 3,600 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 23-Feb-21 16,000 A L 1 - 3 Seed
Division 1 26-Feb-21 38,000 H W 1 - 0 Bliss
Division 1 21-Jan-22 20,000 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 30-Jan-22 30,000 H W 2 - 0 Clay (pen), Wilson
Division 1 21-Oct-22 26,188 H W 3 - 1 Skinner, Walden, Brooks
Division 1 28-Oct-22 23,000 A L 1 - 5 Seed
Division 1 01-Dec-23 23,048 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 08-Dec-23 23,000 A L 1 - 4 Seed
Division 1 08-Sep-24 17,000 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 22-Sep-24 16,281 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 02-Apr-26 27,914 H W 3 - 2 Seed, Dimmock (2)
Division 1 05-Apr-26 15,365 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 25-Sep-26 31,236 H W 3 - 0 Blair, Osborne, Seed
Division 1 12-Feb-27 15,388 A L 0 - 5
Division 2 22-Dec-28 12,609 A L 2 - 3 Crompton, O'Callaghan
Division 2 04-May-29 15,789 H W 2 - 0 Harper (2)
Division 2 18-Apr-30 25,228 H L 0 - 2
Division 2 21-Apr-30 13,989 A L 3 - 4 Osborne, Harper, Finch og
Division 2 22-Nov-30 17,923 A W 2 - 0 Harper (2)
FA Cup 4 24-Jan-31 40,850 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 28-Mar-31 49,921 H D 2 - 2 O'Callaghan, Smailes
Division 1 04-Nov-33 32,292 A W 2 - 1 Howe, Evans W
Division 1 17-Mar-34 26,393 H W 2 - 1 O'Callaghan, Evans W (pen)
Division 1 17-Nov-34 20,416 A L 0 - 4
Division 1 30-Mar-35 29,161 H L 0 - 1
Division 2 24-Sep-38 24,996 A L 3 - 4 Hall GW, Morrison, Hall AE
Division 2 28-Jan-39 38,190 H D 2 - 2 Sargent, Morrison
Division 2 02-Sep-39 16,021 H W 4 - 3 Morrison (3), Dix (Season Abandoned due to WWII)
Football Lge Sth 22-Sep-45 24,433 A L 0 - 5
Football Lge Sth 29-Sep-45 31,403 H W 4 - 2 Acquroff (2), Lyman (2)
Division 2 07-Sep-46 34,970 A L 2 - 3 Bennett, Medley
Division 2 04-Jan-47 40,537 H W 2 - 0 Burgess, Walters
Division 2 23-Aug-47 32,521 A L 0 - 1
Division 2 20-Dec-47 40,219 H D 1 - 1 Cox
FA Cup 4 24-Jan-48 71,853 H W 3 - 1 Cox, Duquemin (2)
Division 2 11-Sep-48 32,279 A D 2 - 2 Duquemin, Bennett
Division 2 22-Jan-49 62,566 H W 2 - 0 Baily, Jones
Division 1 28-Oct-50 44,543 A W 2 - 1 Walters, Medley
Division 1 17-Mar-51 45,353 H W 5 - 0 Bennett, Duquemin (3), Baily
Division 1 25-Aug-51 51,544 H W 3 - 1 Bennett (2), Medley
Division 1 22-Dec-51 29,962 A L 1 - 3 Murphy
Division 1 23-Aug-52 56,552 H L 3 - 4 Ramsey (pen), Bennett, Duquemin
Division 1 20-Dec-52 18,698 A L 1 - 2 Dicker
Division 1 05-Sep-53 42,959 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 16-Jan-54 48,812 H L 0 - 1
FA Cup 6 13-Mar-54 51,049 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 09-Oct-54 45,547 H W 3 - 1 Ramsey (pen), McClellan (2)
Division 1 27-Apr-55 16,617 A W 2 - 1 Brooks, Baily
Division 1 26-Dec-55 32,430 H W 4 - 1 Norman, Brooks, Duquemin (2)
Division 1 27-Dec-55 31,381 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 08-Dec-56 36,098 H D 2 - 2 Harmer, Smith R
Division 1 09-Mar-57 30,602 A D 1 - 1 Stokes
Division 1 04-Apr-58 56,166 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 07-Apr-58 26,556 A W 2 - 0 Medwin, Clayton
Division 1 29-Nov-58 21,753 A L 3 - 4 Dunmore, Smith R (2)
Division 1 18-Apr-59 36,805 H W 5 - 0 Smith R (4), Brooks
Division 1 26-Aug-59 54,114 H D 2 - 2 Medwin, Smith R
Division 1 02-Sep-59 35,924 A W 2 - 1 Harmer, Smith R
Division 1 26-Nov-60 39,017 A W 3 - 1 Smith R (2), Allen
Division 1 29-Apr-61 52,054 H L 1 - 2 Smith R
Division 1 02-Dec-61 28,701 A W 4 - 2 Medwin, White, Allen, Howe og
FA Cup 5 17-Feb-62 53,539 A W 4 - 2 Smith R (2), Greaves (2)
Division 1 21-Apr-62 53,512 H L 1 - 2 Saul
Division 1 13-Oct-62 32,753 A W 2 - 1 Marchi, Jones
Division 1 02-Mar-63 41,193 H W 2 - 1 Smith R (2)
Division 1 26-Dec-63 37,189 A D 4 - 4 Jones, Smith R, Greaves (2)
Division 1 28-Dec-63 47,863 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 19-Sep-64 36,993 H W 1 - 0 Greaves
Division 1 23-Jan-65 23,718 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 30-Oct-65 43,658 H W 2 - 1 Greaves (2)
Division 1 07-May-66 22,586 A L 1 - 2 Clayton
Division 1 26-Dec-66 37,969 A L 0 - 3
Division 1 27-Dec-66 39,129 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 25-Nov-67 29,033 A L 0 - 2
Division 1 01-Mar-68 31,318 H D 0 - 0
Division 1 21-Aug-68 35,746 H D 1 - 1 Gilzean
Division 1 07-Apr-69 24,173 A L 3 - 4 Knowles, Greaves (2, 1pen)
Division 1 15-Nov-69 28,340 H W 2 - 0 Chivers, Morgan
Division 1 28-Mar-70 25,890 A D 1 - 1 Peters
League Cup 4 28-Oct-70 31,598 H W 5 - 0 Peters (3), Gilzean (2)
Division 1 12-Dec-70 26,584 A L 1 - 3 Chivers
Division 1 17-Feb-71 22,695 H D 2 - 2 Mullery (pen), Gilzean
League Cup 2 08-Sep-71 26,203 A W 1 - 0 Pearce
Division 1 20-Nov-71 31,895 H W 3 - 2 England, Gilzean (2)
Division 1 08-Apr-72 20,862 A D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 16-Aug-72 19,175 A W 1 - 0 Peters
Division 1 11-Nov-72 25,875 H D 1 - 1 Chivers
Division 1 02-Oct-76 23,461 A L 2 - 4 Jones, Taylor
Division 1 12-Mar-77 28,834 H L 0 - 2
Division 1 07-Oct-78 33,068 A W 1 - 0 Taylor
Division 1 14-May-79 24,789 H W 1 - 0 Villa
Division 1 22-Sep-79 29,914 H D 1 - 1 Hoddle (pen)
Division 1 09-Feb-80 26,319 A L 1 - 2 Hoddle
Division 1 29-Nov-80 27,372 H L 2 - 3 Lacy, Perryman
Division 1 02-May-81 20,549 A L 2 - 4 Smith, Falco
Division 1 07-Nov-81 32,436 H L 1 - 2 Crooks
League Cup SF (1L) 03-Feb-82 32,238 A D 0 - 0
League Cup SF (2L) 10-Feb-82 47,241 H W 1 - 0 Hazard
Division 1 27-Mar-82 20,151 A L 0 - 1
Division 1 04-Dec-82 26,608 H D 1 - 1 Wile og
FA Cup 4 29-Jan-83 38,208 H W 2 - 1 Gibson, Crooks
Division 1 23-Apr-83 14,879 A W 1 - 0 Archibald
Division 1 07-Sep-83 14,830 A D 1 - 1 Roberts
Division 1 17-Mar-84 22,385 H L 0 - 1
Division 1 03-Nov-84 24,494 H L 2 - 3 Chiedozie, Hazard
Division 1 23-Feb-85 15,418 A W 1 - 0 Falco
Division 1 05-Oct-85 12,040 A D 1 - 1 Waddle
Division 1 08-Mar-86 10,841 H W 5 - 0 Mabbutt, Falco (2), Galvin, Waddle
Friendly 19-Feb-88 - A L 1 - 4 Walsh
Friendly 03-Aug-92 8,078 A W 2 - 0 Hendry, Nayim
FA Prem 08-Dec-02 35,958 H W 3 - 1 Ziege, Keane, Poyet
FA Prem 21-Apr-03 26,899 A W 3 - 2 Keane (2), Sheringham
FA Prem 24-Aug-04 27,191 A D 1 - 1 Defoe
FA Cup 4 29-Jan-05 22,441 A D 1 - 1 Defoe (pen)
FA Cup 4 Replay 12-Feb-05 27,860 H W 3 - 1 Keane (pen), Defoe (2)
FA Prem 20-Apr-05 35,885 H D 1 - 1 Keane
FA Prem 28-Dec-05 27,510 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 27-Mar-06 36,152 H W 2 - 1 Keane (2, 1pen)
FA Prem 28-Dec-08 26,344 A L 0 - 2
FA Prem 02-May-09 H
LAST TIME WE MET...
West Brom 2-0 Tottenham, Premier League, Sunday, 28 December 2008
West Brom boosted their Premier League survival prospects with a valuable home win over 10-man Tottenham.
Roman Bednar's header put the home side in front on 83 minutes when he latched on to Marek Cech's long ball to beat Heurelho Gomes from 10 yards.
And substitute Craig Beattie clinched the points with an injury-time second.
Spurs had been reduced to 10 men when left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto was sent off for a dangerous stamp on Gianni Zuiverloon after 34 minutes.
The victory was West Brom's second in a row at home, six points which could prove crucial as the Baggies attempt to stave off the threat of relegation.
But Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will be counting down the days until the January transfer window opens with the match highlighting his need to bolster his impotent strikeforce, who have now scored just one goal in their past four Premier League games.
Baggies boss Tony Mowbray recalled first-choice strikers Bednar and Luke Moore, both of whom were rested in the 2-0 defeat by Chelsea on Boxing Day, while Cech and Iglesias Borja Valero earned rare starts.
Redknapp rested Ledley King, with Jonathan Woodgate returning to the centre of defence, while Jermaine Jenas replaced the injured Tom Huddlestone in midfield.
The home side made the brighter start as Gomes had his palms stung by a well-struck free-kick from the edge of the box by Borja Valero on 13 minutes, brought about after Michael Dawson had crudely brought down Moore on the run, a foul which earned him a yellow card.
A dire first half was summed up by statistics showing more yellow cards than shots on target, although the complexion of the match was significantly altered when Assou-Ekotto was sent off for a dangerous stamp.
The left-back raised his studs as he attempted to tackle Gianni Zuiverloon, although the challenge seemed to lack malice.
But the offence took place right in front of referee Steve Tanner, who had no hesitation as he reached for the red card, much to the incredulity of the Frenchman.
Assou-Ekotto's absence forced Redknapp into impromptu changes, with Didier Zokora slotting in at left-back, while Luka Modric retreated into a deeper position in midfield, leaving Darren Bent as a solitary figure up front.
While Spurs dealt with their one-man disadvantage without too many concerns in the remaining 11 minutes of the half, the opening exchanges after the interval were quite the opposite.
Gomes pulled off a brilliant save diving to his left to tip over Chris Brunt's curling free-kick from the edge of the box on 47 minutes, before denying Zuiverloon three minutes later.
Despite attractive interchanges in midfield, Spurs looked utterly toothless in attack, rarely testing goalkeeper Scott Carson.
Inevitably, as the second half progressed, the Baggies began to pound Gomes' goal and Dawson had to come to Spurs' rescue when his outstretched leg blocked Zuiverloon's byline cross, with Moore lurking unmarked inside the six-yard box on 65 minutes.
The pressure eventually told when Bednar shrugged off his marker Dawson to get on the end of Cech's raking long ball and score from 10 yards out.
The defender was outraged, claiming he had been pushed as he went up to challenge, but referee Tanner ignored Dawson's protests as the Baggies rejoiced.
And substitute Beattie clinched the three points when he was sent through by James Morrison in the final minute of injury time for three priceless points.
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp on Benoit Assou-Ekottu's red card:
"We played with 10 men for a long time and I thought we did okay. We controlled enough of the game and still had lots of the ball.
"We wouldn't have got beaten with 11 men, that's for sure.
"We'll pick ourselves up, brush ourselves down and start all over again on Monday."
West Brom manager Tony Mowbray on Tanner's performance:
"I have no comment on the referee. Some games as a coach you sit there and have thoughts but I've not been as brave as Harry and said anything.
"I think we all abide by the officials. We agree with some decisions, we don't agree with others.
"The bottom line is you hope to get the big ones right. I was very surprised when a red card was given but the referee saw it was and you have to live with that."
West Brom:
Carson, Zuiverloon (Hoefkens 72), Olsson, Barnett, Cech, Morrison, Greening, Brunt (Dorrans 65), Borja Valero (Beattie 80), Bednar, Moore.
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Kim, MacDonald, Donk.
Booked: Morrison, Brunt, Zuiverloon.
Goals: Bednar 83, Beattie 90.
Tottenham:
Gomes, Corluka, Dawson, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora (Campbell 86), Jenas, Bentley (O'Hara 69), Modric (Bale 75), Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cesar, Gunter, Taarabt, Obika.
Sent Off: Assou-Ekotto (35).
Booked: Dawson, Jenas.
Att: 26,344
Ref: Steve Tanner (Somerset).
BBC Sport Player Rater man of the match:
Tottenham's Vedran Corluka
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