Tottenham bounce back as returning Harry Kane inspires victory over brave West Brom

Harry Kane was a surprise inclusion in the Tottenham side that beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0 and if Jose Mourinho was gambling by rushing the Spurs talisman back from injury, the move paid off. Kane gave Tottenham the lead after 54 minutes and was involved in the move that allowed Son Heung-Min to double the advantage four minutes later.

Sam Allardyce’s team defended well until Kane’s opener but were not equipped to fight their way back into the match. Albion look doomed to relegation and are 13 points from safety.

The mood in north London has been grim because of Tottenham’s slump in form but the return of their captain just 10 days after injuring his ankle against Liverpool at Anfield lifted the mood. As long as Kane in is the team, the prospects look brighter for Mourinho, and Champions League qualification remain possible.

The game was always going to turn on whether Spurs could break down their opponents. West Brom started as if they had come for a draw and the home side laid siege to Sam Johnstone’s goal. The impression was strengthened when Sammy Lee, Allardyce’s assistant, checked his watch with just seven minutes gone.

Tottenham pushed forward. Lucas Moura dribbled into the box and it took a spectacular sliding challenge by Kyle Bartley to clear the danger. When the visiting team showed rare hints of ambition they sent the ball in the direction of Serge Aurier. Conor Gallagher and Conor Townsend linked up to put pressure on the Frenchman and the Albion left-back was able to reach the byline and send in a tempting cross.

Most of the action was at the other end and Kane was at the heart of Tottenham’s best moments. He found Son with a diagonal ball but the South Korean’s shot from distance was straight at Johnstone. Kane’s passing was sharp but his finishing was rusty initially. Twice he found room in the inside left position. The first time he shot into the side netting and then he pulled the ball across the goal and wide.

The match settled into a game of attack versus defence. Spurs scurried around the West Brom area, mostly without any real incisiveness. Allardyce’s defensive perimeter kept the chances to a minimum but Kane was becoming increasingly dangerous.

The England captain took a pass from Moura and produced an excellent turn in tight circumstances but his shot was straight at the goalkeeper. Aurier should have scored from a corner but Johnstone clawed his header away just when a goal seemed inevitable.

open image in gallery

Albion had their best chance just before half-time. Ainsley Maitland-Niles, making his debut, found Robert Snodgrass down the right channel and the Scot curled in a splendid cross to Mbaye Diagne. Hugo Lloris had to scramble to save Diagne’s header. For a hopeful moment West Brom thought the ball had crossed the line but the goalkeeper kept the effort out.

Spurs started the second half with purpose. Kane, from deep, released Son, who had been quiet during the first period. The link-up between the forwards has been very productive and appeared set to pay off again but Johnstone was able to get a foot to Son’s shot.

Kane is central to everything Tottenham do. His intelligence and movement change the dynamic of the team. All it takes is one lapse of discipline in a defence and the striker makes them pay. West Brom thought they were holding their shape when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was in possession in a central position 25 yards from goal. Kane, though, had drifted into a seam of space in the box and the Dane rolled the ball to Kane, who took control and placed the ball into the far corner. It looked almost too easy but Hojbjerg deserves credit for the precision of his pass.

In that one moment the match changed direction. West Brom had to chase the game. Their pursuit did not last long. Now they were vulnerable to the Tottenham counter-attack.

Kane started it, chesting the ball to Moura, who carried it from his own half to the edge of the box. As defenders converged on the Brazilian, Son was charging unmarked into space. Moura rolled a simple pass to give the South Korean a straightforward chance and Son doubled Tottenham’s advantage with glee.

It was all over. Diagne had the ball in the net twice but each time the Albion striker was offside. Allardyce’s team never looked like worrying Spurs.

Mourinho’s only worry is Kane’s health. As long as the striker is on the pitch, Tottenham’s prospects look good.