Then and Now - West Bromwich Albion

On Sunday afternoon, we make the trip to the West Midlands to take on West Bromwich Albion in our final outing before the November international break (12pm kick-off).

Ahead of the clash at the Hawthorns, we take a look back at our previous outings against the Baggies before analysing all the game’s key information and statistics, as well as the pre-match view from our opposition.

West Brom v Spurs - Then

Sunday’s encounter will be the first meeting between the two sides since May, 2018, with West Brom having suffered relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2017/18 season.

That most recent of contests with the Baggies was not a game to remember for us though, as we fell to a 1-0 defeat. Fighting for their Premier League status at the time, the West Brom knew they needed to take all three points against us to have any chance of staying up. And they did just that, showing the fight and resolution in their defence to keep us at bay before our former player Jake Livermore scored a last-gasp winner to keep his side going in the top flight.

There is a very even record between the two teams. In our 146 meetings in all competitions, we just edge the contest with 56 wins to West Brom’s 54.

The first of those victories was on our path to FA Cup glory in 1901. That year, we became the first and, to date, only non-league side to lift the game’s oldest trophy with victory over Sheffield United in the final. Meeting the Baggies in the semi-finals, Sandy Brown scored all four goals in a 4-0 win at the neutral ground of Villa Park.

The last time we claimed victory at the Hawthorns was back in 2015 as Christian Eriksen's strike and a Harry Kane double secured a 3-0 win. Four of our last six encounters, however, have finished level.

In Premier League history, only one fixture has ended level on more occasions than games between us and West Brom - 11 of 24 league meetings with the Baggies since 1992 have finished as a draw (46 per cent). West Ham and Aston Villa is the only contest to have seen more draws, 20 of 42 (48 per cent). 

Our last victory against West Brom came in 2017 at White Hart Lane. Harry Kane was once again on target, this time supplying a hat-trick, with an own goal from Gareth McAuley completing the scoring as we powered to a 4-0 win.

Last five meetings

5 May, 2018 – West Brom 1-0 Spurs – Premier League
25 November, 2017 – Spurs 1-1 West Brom – Premier League
14 January, 2017 – Spurs 4-0 West Brom – Premier League
15 October, 2016 – West Brom 1-1 Spurs – Premier League
25 April, 2016 – Spurs 1-1 West Brom – Premier League

West Brom v Spurs - Now

It has been a tough start to the season for newly-promoted West Brom. After seven games back in the top-flight, the Baggies currently sit in the relegation places having picked up three points out of a possible 21 so far.

Having started with three defeats in their opening four fixtures, Slaven Bilic’s side then earned back-to-back draws with Burnley (0-0) and Brighton (1-1), but they were then defeated by Fulham 2-0 last time out. They are yet to claim a victory since their return to the Premier League.

“It’s very important to bounce back from a defeat,” West Brom boss Slaven Bilic admitted ahead of Sunday’s meeting. “We were very disappointed after Fulham with our performance and of course, the result. We need a response on Sunday and I am expecting the lads to bounce back.

“Spurs will of course be the favourites. They are not favourites because we lost to Fulham and they beat Brighton. They are favourites on paper, but so were Chelsea when we played them and that was the closest we have got to winning a game so far this season in the Premier League. People didn’t give us a chance against Chelsea before the game, but this is football. It’s different. You have to believe.”

We head into the encounter unbeaten in the Premier League since our opening day defeat against Everton. We sit just two points off top spot and could reach the summit with victory over West Brom.

Harry Kane will be looking for Premier League goal number 150 this Sunday and he will be counting on his impressive record against the West Midlands side to continue in order to reach that milestone this weekend. In seven top flight appearances against West Brom, he has as many goals - they are one of the nine sides he averages a goal-per-game or better against in the competition.

And, after Harry scored his 200^th goal for the Club as we defeated Ludogorets 3-1 in the Europa League on Thursday night, his team-mate for both Club and country, Eric Dier, believes the marksman is already looking towards scoring the next 200.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and, to me, what stands out is his consistency, not only in the amount of goals he’s scored, but in his performances, too. I’m sure he’ll now be focussed on getting 200 more,” Eric admitted.

“His qualities as well... for me, he’s an all-round striker, his hold up play is fantastic, he can finish with both feet, his head, brings other players into the game as well, he has all of the qualities which make him an all-round striker and that’s why he’s so good, but it’s the consistency in which he shows those qualities that makes him so good, and the work he puts in. He’s very focussed and extremely driven to always be successful.”