Baggies Still Bouncing Along

Tottenham v West Brom

A 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane saw the ferocious form of West Brom continue as the Baggies reach the magic 40 point mark.

Odemwingie opened the scoring after just a couple of minutes, the striker latching onto on loan Carlos Vella's pinpoint ball and shrugging off Ekotto before curling his effort past Gomes to place more pressure on Harry Redknapp's desperate Spurs.

Their reply was instant, heaping pressure on West Brom defensive line and keeping the Baggies on the back foot for the majority of the half. Eventually the line broke and Roman Pavlyuchenko grabbed his 8th league goal of the campaign with a fierce left foot strike from the edge of the area that struck the foot of the post before pinging into the back of the net.

Tottenham piled on the pressure in search of the lead as Pavlyuchenko and Van der Vaart kept Carson busy between the posts, so much so that the visitors seemed relieved to hear the half time whistle. One man who was unable to see the half time whistle was former Ireland international Steven Reid, who had to be replaced by Jara just before the break after another injury continues to hamper his 2010/11 season.

The Baggies looked almost dead and burried after the break when Jermain Defoe fired home his 100th goal for Spurs which also happened to be their 1000th Premier League goal. His left footed strike from the edge of the West Brom box gave the home side the lead and what would have been a vital 3 points towards their 4th place fight.

But it was not to be when substitute Simon Cox curled a beautiful right foot effort into the far top corner that sucked the wind out of Spur's sails and snatched an equal share of the points for the Baggies.

Speaking after the game Baggies' boss Hodgson seemed delighted with a well earned point.

“I think it was a splendid effort to come back from 2-1 down and draw."

"It looks like it's an important point for us given the way the other results have gone today," Hodgson added.

"It's taken us at least to a psychological point of 40, which most people would say is enough - I don't say that.

"I'm still concerned we might need a point or two more.

"I have to say I'm a damn sight happier with 40 than 39."

West Brom look almost safe right now but with 4 games to go things can change quickly, but Hodgson seems to be relishing the prospect of another season in the top flight next year.

“I'm really pleased with the way things have gone since I joined the club.

"It would be very nice, if we sustain our position in the Barclays Premier League, if we can bring in a few more players that can really help some of these ones out.


"A lot of people like Mulumbu, Odemwingie and Carlos Vela are talented players but not with an awful lot of experience.

"So, I'm hoping, if we do stay up, we'll find those necessary reinforcements just to make life that little bit easier.”