Match Reports

Albion frustrated as Kane wins it for Spurs

Roberto De Zerbi's first home game ends in 1-0 defeat.

By Bruce Talbot • 08 October 2022

By Paul Hazlewood
Lewis Dunk shows his frustration after his first-half header just missed the target.

Roberto De Zerbi’s first home game saw Albion suffer only their third Premier League defeat since April.

Harry Kane, who loves scoring at the Amex, headed the only goal midway through the first half and although we had our chances the equaliser eluded us.

The Italian got a warm reception from the fans pre-match and kicked every ball as he patrolled the technical area, but it was his compatriot Antonio Conti who was happier at the end as Tottenham cemented third place and Albion dropped to sixth.

By James Boardman
Rob Sanchez expertly denied Rodrigo Bentancur in the first half.

There was a minute’s applause to remember Spurs’ fitness coach Gian Piero Ventrone before kick-off and it was Tottenham who made the better start with their midfield establishing early control.

Rob Sanchez pushed away Son Heung-Min’s free kick from the left-hand edge of the box and when Cristian Romero picked out Matt Doherty’s run to the far post the defender fired over from a decent position.

Albion began to settle into the game and they went close in the 17th minute. Leo Trossard slotted a nicely weighted pass into Danny Welbeck’s path and he took a touch before drilling a right-foot shot across Hugo Lloris but wide of the far post.

By James Boardman
Danny Welbeck stretches to reach a pass.

Kane was booked for deliberate handball in the Albion box but a few minutes later he was celebrating a 22nd-minute opener. Spurs won a corner after Sanchez pushed Rodrigo Bentancur’s at full stretch. Albion initially cleared it but Son whipped the loose ball back in from the right and Kane’s instinctive close-range glancing header flew into the net.

On the balance of play Spurs deserved their lead but Lloris had work to do in the 28th minute when he pushed out Moises Caicedo’s powerful effort from just outside the D.

Yves Bissouma’s late challenge on Mac Allister earned the former Albion midfielder a yellow card then Lewis Dunk got a good connection on Trossard’s outswinging corner, but his header landed on the roof of the net.

March was half a yard away from marking his 150th Premier League appearance with a goal on 40 minutes when his right-foot shot from just outside the box skidded wide with Lloris a spectator. Albion had responded well after going behind and Welbeck tested Lloris just before the break with a powerful strike from 15 yards.

It needed first Adam Webster and then Dunk to produce brilliantly-timed tackles when Son threatened and on 62 minutes Kane had a great chance when he turned the Albion skipper but dragged his shot wide from 12 yards.

By Paul Hazlewood
Pascal Gross crosses in from the right.

It was the first threat mounted by either side in the second half. Spurs seemed content to soak up pressure and hit on the counter. They had never lost a league game under Conti when they have been in front at the break (W49 D4) and to freshen things up De Zerbi brought on Kaoru Mitoma midway through the second half in place of Pervis Estupinan. The winger immediately got the home crowd on their feet with a mazy run into the box which ended when Lloris dived at his feet to block his cross.

Son had a goal disallowed for offside with 16 minutes to go before Welbeck capitalised on a mistake by Ryan Sessegnon but dragged his shot wide.

Albion kept going and Matt Doherty produced a very timely challenge when Trossard was about to pull the trigger on the edge of the six-yard box. It summed up Tottenham’s defensive resilience in the second half as they protected a precious three points.

Albion: Sanchez, Veltman (Lamptey 88), Webster, Dunk, Estupinan (Mitoma 66), Caicedo (Gilmour 88), Mac Allister, Gross (Lallana 81), Trossard, Welbeck, March.

Subs not used: Steele, Colwill, Sarmiento, Undav, Turns.

Attendance: 31558