Match Report: Tottenham - West Brom

Two late goals from Robbie Keane - including his 50th Premiership strike for the club - gave Tottenham a 2-1 win against West Brom and kept Spurs on course for a Champions League place next season

Keane fired home his 50th in the 67th minute to cancel out a first-half goal from West Brom defender Curtis Davies. But Albion's hopes of a point were wrecked two minutes from time when Jermain Defoe charged down Tomasz Kuszczak's clearance. The Albion 'keeper then sent Defoe crashing for a penalty which Keane converted.

The first shot of the game arrived in the 12th minute but Nathan Ellington's effort from 25 yards failed to trouble Tottenham's England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

Spurs coach Martin Jol had paired England striker Defoe with Keane in attack for the second successive game but neither player enjoyed the kind of service they thrive on. Spurs were subsequently unable to apply any realistic pressure on Albion's defence.

Most of the action was at the opposite end with Jonathan Greening causing the Spurs defence some anxious moments with a determined run into the penalty area which brought the visitors a corner.

Spurs managed to clear the danger momentarily but Albion still pressed forward in search of an opening goal. In the 20th minute Ellington won a free-kick 25 yards out and Spurs paid the price for their poor start when Albion skipper Curtis Davies rose to head home Greening's perfectly-flighted cross.

It was the perfect tonic for struggling Albion and they continued to give Spurs much to think about as the home side found it difficult to find any rhythm.

Defoe was largely anonymous alongside Keane as Spurs failed to trouble Kuszczak in the opening 25 minutes.

Defoe wasted another fine chance to level the scores but he wanted one turn too many inside the penalty area and Albion's defence crowded him out. In the 39th minute though it was Albion 'keeper Kuszczak who thwarted Defoe as the England striker turned and hit a marvellous rising drive towards the top corner.

The Albion 'keeper was able to push the ball around the right-hand upright as Spurs threatened to increase the pressure on their opponents. But despite Defoe's efforts, Spurs were still second best as the first half was brought to a close although Aaron Lennon brought another fine save from Kuszczak a minute before the break.

Tottenham were still unable to apply any real pressure on an Albion defence marshalled superbly by Davies and Steve Watson. Spurs, who had managed just two shots of any note in the first period, namely long-range efforts from Defoe and Lennon, made no changes at the interval.

Despite having more of the possession from the re-start a 20-yard drive from Jermaine Jenas in the 55th minute was the best they could muster.

At the opposite end, Kanu sent a shot fizzing over the bar before Jol decided to introduce Mido into the action in the 59th minute in place of full-back Stephen Kelly. The change almost brought instant success for Spurs as Mido sent a shot across the face of the goal which ran agonisingly wide of the far post.

But the breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute when Keane got on the end of a fine pass from Michael Carrick to lift the ball over the advancing Kuszczak and into the net for the equaliser.

It was the perfect boost for Jol's side who were in danger of losing ground in the race for fourth place in the Barclays Premiership.

Keane's strike forced Albion onto the attack and they piled on the pressure in search of another goal but found Tottenham's defence in a resolute mood for a change.

Keane's strike was his 50th Premiership goal for the Londoners but it sparked Albion into life and they put the Spurs defence under increasing pressure in a bid to snatch a vital winner. But it was Spurs who scored in the most bizarre of fashions in the 88th minute.

Kuszczak's clearance was charged down by Defoe and the Albion 'keeper then hauled him down for a penalty which Keane converted for the winner.