First win at Spurs since 1984
JAMES Morrison’s header secured Albion’s first Barclays Premier League victory of the season as they triumped 1-0 against Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
The Scotland international midfielder was left unmarked to head home captain Chris Brunt’s 74th-minute corner.
It proved enough to clinch a thoroughly deserved three points as head coach Alan Irvine celebrated his maiden success since taking charge.
It was Albion’s first victory against Spurs in ten attempts stretching back to 2008 and their first at White Hart Lane since 1984.
Influential centre-back Joleon Lescott was handed his debut as one of two changes from last weekend’s defeat against Everton, with Stephane Sessegnon also fit again after an eye problem to replace Brown Ideye, who dropped to the bench.
Albion made a positive start with Craig Dawson looping a header narrowly over after two minutes and Saido Berahino firing off target.
Lescott was denied a debut goal in the 11th minute as his hooked goalbound effort from a recycled corner was inadvertently blocked by Dawson.
It was Craig Gardner’s turn to go close just three minutes later as his drilled effort from another well-worked corner was parried to safety by Hugo Lloris.
Dawson again came close with another header as Irvine’s side enjoyed the better of the opening half an hour.
Albion, indeed, had the ball in the net after 37 minutes but the lively Berahino was adjudged to be offside.
The hosts enjoyed their clearest opening of the first half just before the interval as Emmanuel Adebayor, six yards out, headed the wrong side of a post from Christian Eriksen’s cross.
Yet it was the Baggies who, much to the frustration of the home support, again started the second half on the front foot, Berahino testing Lloris with a swerving effort.
Ben Foster dived bravely at the feet of Adebayor shortly after the hour mark, while Morrison was next to trouble Lloris with a strike from distance.
Foster was called upon to deal with Spurs substitute Roberto Soldado’s volley but it was not long before Albion got the reward their play deserved.
Brunt whipped in a corner and Morrison was left to head home from close range.
And the Baggies stood firm for the remaining 16 minutes plus injury time to send the visiting faithful wild at the full-time whistle.
Albion: Foster, Wisdom, Dawson, Lescott, Pocognoli, Dorrans, Morrison, Gardner, Brunt, Sessegnon (Anichebe 90’), Berahino.
Subs: Myhill, Baird, McAuley, Mulumbu, Gamboa, Ideye.
GOAL: Morrison (74’)
BOOKED: Foster (time wasting 90+3')
Tottenham: Lloris, Dier, Kaboul, Chiriches, Rose, Capoue (Lennon 76’), Dembele (Paulinho 61’), Chadli (Soldado 61’), Eriksen, Lamela, Adebayor.
Subs: Vorm, Naughton, Vertonghen, Bentaleb.
BOOKED: Rose (foul 73’)
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
ALBION STAR MAN: Joleon Lescott
Attendance: 35,861