West Brom 2, Spurs 0: Birmingham Post analysis

Dec 29 2008 by Robert Tanner, Birmingham Post

Albion almost took the lead within three minutes of the restart when Valero was tripped on the edge of the area by Vedran Corluka but Chris Brunt’s free-kick was spectacularly tipped over the bar by Gomes, and then the Brazilian produced another good save to deny Moore.

Albion were doing all the pressing and in the 69th minute Morrison played Zuiverloon in behind the Spurs defence but the Dutchman’s low cross was cut out by Dawson with Bednar poised, and then Graham Dorrans’ deflected effort was touched over by Gomes.

The breakthrough finally came in the 83rd minute when Bednar grabbed his sixth goal of the season and he almost added a second with a deflected free-kick which was tipped away by Gomes.

However, Albion did put the game to bed late on when Cech again powered forward and played in Morrison who teed up Beattie for his second to spark jubilant scenes.

Scorers: Bednar (83), Beattie (90).

WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-4-2): Carson; Zuiverloon (Hoefkens, 74); Barnett; Olsson; Cech; Morrison; Greening; Valero (Beattie, 80); Brunt (Dorrans, 65); Bednar; Moore. Subs: Kiely; Kim; MacDonald; Donk.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka; Dawson; Woodgate; Assou-Ekotto; Lennon; Jenas; Zokora (Campbell 86); Bentley (O’Hara 70); Bent; Modric (Bale 75). Subs: Gunter; Taarabt; Sanchez; Obika.

Referee: Steve Tanner (Somerset)

Bookings: Albion - Morrison, Brunt, Zuiverloon (both fouls); Spurs – Dawson, Jenas (both fouls).

Sending-off: Spurs – Assou-Ekotto (dangerous play).

Attendance: 26,344

Albion man of the match: Marek Cech – played a vital role in both goals.