Alli rescues point for Spurs in 1-1 draw at West Brom

Tottenham’s Dele Alli was denied by West Brom’s Ben Foster several times before scoring a late leveller in their 1-1 draw. While they haven’t been as good as Spurs, West Brom have been pretty solid defensively this season too conceding only seven goals, the joint fourth best in the league.

“Today was a good message”. Everyone was ready for the challenge and we stepped up as a team and showed what we can do. “I feel very proud”.

Many statisticians in football do not understand the essence of the game they are analyzing: scoring more goals than the opponent.

“When you’re playing with a few players in the pocket, it doesn’t leave me isolated in there by myself”. Alli was twice one-on-one with Ben Foster only to lose out with Christian Eriksen and Moussa Sissoko also failing to take clear chances. When he was fit, he always played. Their keeper was man of the match as you saw.

When Hugo Lloris failed to safely gather James McClean’s long-range shot, Salomon Rondon had a chance to take advantage three yards from the goalline, but the France goalkeeper saved himself by swiping the ball away from the home striker’s feet.

Harry Kane is closing on a return from injury while Heung-Min Son should start against his old side in Germany after being initially rested for West Brom following his South Korea exertions. During 45 minutes you have almost 80 percent of possession and you create five or six big chances. Then who else but Nacer Chadli would find the back of the net to put his unfancied new team a goal up, seemingly to snatch a late victory and valuable three points.

“It’s so hard to win here but it is everywhere in the Premier League”.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino refused to blame his wasteful stars after they missed the chance to go top of the Premier League.

“We’re still unbeaten and that’s the important thing”, said their Argentine manager, who praised West Brom’s Foster for a “great performance”.

Former team-mate Nacer Chadli scored with eight minutes left in his first game against Spurs since leaving White Hart Lane for £13million in the summer.

“I’m happy for him, but he needs to improve”, Pochettino said of Alli, who scored in the corresponding fixture last season.

Meanwhile, Spurs are waiting on word of Toby Alderweireld’s fitness.

But he will be without Toby Alderweireld for Tuesday’s Champions League match away to Bayer Leverkusen after the Belgium defender was stretchered off following a collision in the second half, and and possbily more matches. It is wonderful that you can watch teams like that, with such an array of talent.

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