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West
Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 29th January 2005, 3.00pm. |
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Match
Preview |
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| Result |
West Bromwich Albion |
1 - 1 |
Tottenham Hotspur |
| Scorers |
Robert Earnshaw (17) |
Jermain Defoe (pen 31) |
| Attendance |
22,441 |
| Teams |
4-4-2
1 - Russell Hoult (GK)
14 - Martin Albrechtsen
19 - Neil Clement
6 - Darren Purse
3 - Paul Robinson
2 - Riccardo Scimeca
24 - Ronnie Wallwork
8 - Jonathan Greening
34 - Robert Earnshaw
11 - Zoltan Gera
25 - Nwankwo Kanu |
4-4-2
(GK) Paul Robinson - 1
Erik Edman - 14
Anthony Gardner - 30
Stephen Kelly - 34
Ledley King - 26
Timothee Atouba - 24
Michael Brown - 11
Michael Carrick - 23
Simon Davies - 7
Jermain Defoe - 18
Frederic Kanoute - 9 |
| Substitutes |
29 - Tomasz Kuszczak (GK)
4 - Thomas Gaardsoe
23 - James O'Connor
21 - Kevin Campbell
9 - Geoff Horsfield |
(GK) Marton Fulop -
25
Goran Bunjevcevic - 5
Noe Pamarot - 17
Dean Marney - 31
Robbie Keane - 10 |
| Substitutions |
K Campbell for R Earnshaw
(78)
G Horsfield for N Kanu (79) |
R Keane for J Defoe
(75)
D Marney for S Davies (75) |
| Yellow Cards |
None |
Timothee Atouba (69)
|
| Red Cards |
None |
None |
| Referee |
M Halsey (Welwyn Garden City) |
I was unable to make
the fourth round FA Cup tie against Spurs, so my Dad, Denis Want,
has stepped into the breach once again to provide this match report.
The Albion team selection reflected the importance of the match
on Tuesday against Crystal Palace with Campbell and Horsfield on
the bench, though the inclusion of O'Connor in the substitutes was
a complete surprise. He was rumoured to be included in the deal
to buy Richard Chaplow, but with AJ injured, Robson obviously felt
the need to have a little more steel in midfield available if required.
Albion started the game very brightly controlling events for long
periods playing their most confident football this season, clearly
reflecting the positive thinking that recent performances has produced.
The first real opening was as a result of an excellent through ball
from Gera which Earnshaw crashed against the bar with Robinson well
beaten.
It was not long before Earnshaw's name was on the score sheet, however.
On 17 minutes, good work down the left hand side between Albion's
Robinson and Wallwork, and the former Manchester United midfielder
cleverly created space for a good cross which landed between Gardner
and the goalkeeper, and there was Earnshaw to volley the ball into
the net. It was a well worked goal.
The Spurs attacks were limited to high balls to Kanoute, whose height
was giving Purse and Clement problems. Defoe was having difficulty
in getting into the game because Albion controlled the midfield.
But it was Defoe, in the 31st minute, who created the equalising
goal with a jinking run on the edge of the penalty area; he got
on the goal side of Purse who went to ground trying to clear the
ball. Defoe felt the touch went to ground very easily and a penalty
resulted. It was difficult to judge whether it was a legitimate
claim from the East Stand, but having looked at TV evidence, Purse
probably did not give the referee much option by going to ground
in the tackle. Having said that, Defoe did not need much of an invitation
to fall on to the ball. Defoe converted the penalty.
Albion did not deserve to go to the break on level terms they were
easily the best side and controlled most of the play.
The second half was a more even affair. Albion started slowly but
picked up the pace and created a number of good chances. Greening,
who had a great game, fired a shot against the post with the keeper
well beaten once again. From the follow up, Kanu, who played well
through out, dribbled into the area beating three players and Robinson
foiled him with a great save.
Spurs created few chances and Hoult had very little to do, although
close to the end of the game Davies missed a great chance with a
close range header. On two occasions just before the final whistle
Darren Purse's decision making could have provided Spurs with a
late undeserved winner but the Dingle who had replaced Defoe at
this stage fired poorly into the side netting.
Overall Albion will have been disappointed not to have won this
match but the coaching staff can take credit for the all round improvement
in the team since they took charge. A number of players, including
Clement and Robinson, have made significant improvement in their
standard of performance over recent weeks.
Although the Southampton game has now been postponed thanks to this
draw, Albion still have two crucial Premiership games before the
return match at White Hart Lane. But they are two games they can
approach with confidence after some good recent performances.
Marks
Russell Hoult - 7 - Did not have to make a significant save.
Martin Albrechtsen - 7 - Another sound performance; beginning to
warrant his transfer fee.
Neil Clement - 7 - Good tidy display, concentration level improving;
likes the ball in front of him.
Darren Purse - 6 - Found Kanoute a handful; must learn to stay on
his feet in the penalty area.
Paul Robinson - 7 - Another steady display; needs to remain calmer
in tight situations, tends to panic.
Riccardo Scimeca - 6 - Worked hard plugging the gaps, distribution
could be better.
Ronnie Wallwork - 8 - Benefiting from the new regime; uses his football
brain to make up for a lack of pace.
Jonathan Greening - 8 - MOM. Excellent performance, always looked
a threat, unlucky not to score.
Robert Earnshaw - 6 - Much better all round display. Took his goal
well; needs to gamble in moving into space, particularly near post.
Zoltan Gera - 7 - Looking for more offensively. Work rate good;
now lasting 90 minutes.
Nwankwo Kanu - 8 - Back to his best, benefited from the rest, worked
hard .
Kevin Campbell - 6 - Little time to have impact.
Geoff Horsfield - 7 - Usual horse work rate, little time to affect
the outcome.
Bryan Robson - 8 - Going in the right direction
Denis Want, 31st January 2005.
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