West Brom vs Tottenham result: Harry Kane’s late header breaks Baggies hearts

West Bromwich Albion 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Jonathan Veal
Sunday 08 November 2020 14:11 GMT
Comments
Harry Kane directs a looping header home
Harry Kane directs a looping header home (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Harry Kane struck his 150th Premier League goal two minutes from time to send Tottenham to the top of the table for the first time since August 2014 as they beat West Brom 1-0.

Kane headed home his landmark effort to send Spurs to the summit as they continued their 100 per cent away record this season.

It was his 201st goal for Spurs and his 13th of the campaign and - even though they knew they could be dislodged in a matter of hours - reaching top spot will give Tottenham belief that they can challenge for the title this season.

Kane's header from Matt Doherty's cross settled a tight game at the Hawthorns, where Spurs, despite starting Kane, Gareth Bale and Son Heung-min in attack, struggled to dominate the game.

The Baggies will be heartbroken and will feel like they deserved a point, but they were made to pay for a late defensive slip as the wait for their first win back in the Premier League goes on.

With Kane, Bale and Son starting in attack for the first time, Tottenham would have been hoping to have the firepower to put their hosts to the sword early on.

It was a promising opening and they created a fine chance to go in front in the 11th minute as Kane found Tanguy Ndombele, whose header played in Son, but the South Korean was unusually wasteful and saw his delayed shot blocked by Semi Ajayi.

That was as good as it got, though, as the Baggies began to take a foothold and caused Tottenham problems, particularly down the right.

Karlan Grant could not make proper contact with his header in a good position while Jake Livermore sent a shot wide.

Their biggest moment of danger came in the 27th minute when Callum Robinson's cross was cleared off the line with Grant waiting to pounce.

This was nothing like the Spurs side that had scored 12 goals in their previous three Premier League away games as, despite their presence in attack, they were laborious and struggled to create anything clear-cut.

When Dara O'Shea put a header wide from a corner for the Baggies early in the second half it looked like being more of the same but Spurs began to take control.

Sergio Reguilon tested Sam Johnstone's handling with a fierce shot from distance before Kane had a goalbound effort blocked.

They continued to press and somehow did not take the lead in the 67th minute as Reguilon's blocked shot fell perfectly to Giovani Lo Celso but he skewed wide from close range.

Substitute Carlos Vinicius forced Johnstone into a low save with a neat shot on the turn as it looked like Spurs would be denied.

But Kane had other ideas and some great late movement was spotted by Doherty and the England captain headed home to spark great scenes of celebration.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in