A last-gasp goal from Jake Livermore has earned West Bromwich Albion a dramatic 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s Premier League clash at The Hawthorns.
Spurs dominated for much of the fixture in the West Midlands but in the second minute of added-on time, Livermore netted from close range to keep the Baggies’ hopes of a miracle survival alive with a week remaining of the season.
Darren Moore’s side have moved above relegated Stoke City and into 19th place, and now trail Swansea City – whose game in hand is against Southampton on Tuesday night – by just two points.
As for Spurs, they find themselves looking over their shoulders to fifth-placed Chelsea, who will move to within two points of a top-four spot with victory over Liverpool on Sunday.
From kickoff, Spurs showed their intent to dominate possession and West Brom were prepared to give the visitors plenty of time on the ball while keeping 10 men behind in their own half.
The strategies of both teams resulted in an uneventful opening quarter to the game with Spurs not registering their first effort on goal until Victor Wanyama saw a long-range strike tipped over the crossbar by Ben Foster.
Shortly afterwards, Kieran Trippier threaded a ball through to Harry Kane down the right-hand side of the penalty area but despite a well-struck effort, Foster was able to divert the shot wide of the far post.
West Brom had been outplayed for much of the first half but the hosts should have taken a lead into the break, with Jay Rodriguez firstly seeing a header cleared off the line by Jan Vertonghen.
A minute before half time, a cross from Matt Phillips found the head of Ahmed Hegazi but the centre-back sent his effort wide of the target when he probably should have scored.
After the restart, West Brom continued on the front foot but it was Spurs who created the first chance of the second half with Kane heading harmlessly over the crossbar from a promising position.
Erik Lamela was then denied by a terrific save from Foster, who blocked the Argentine’s shot from close range, before the playmaker saw a free kick kept out by the Baggies stopper.
Despite requiring a goal to remain in the division, West Brom continued to line up defensively but Moore’s side almost got the good fortune that they were looking for when Kane almost put through his own net, with Lloris making a brilliant save to keep the ball out.
During the closing stages, Moore made changes which were not warmly received by the home supporters with Salomon Rondon and Rodriguez – the club’s two goalscorers – being withdrawn, and a third alteration followed with Grzegorz Krychowiak replacing James McClean.
However, in the second minute of added-on time, West Brom found an unlikely winner. A set piece was sent into the box and after a goalmouth scramble ensued, Livermore was on hand to prod home from close range to keep West Brom’s hopes of the most unlikely survival alive.