West Brom 1 Tottenham 1: Spurs extend unbeaten run to 14 as Dele Alli scores on first-team return

On target: Dele Alli's opener wasn't enough as Tottenham were held at West Brom
Nick Mashiter5 December 2015

Tottenham extended their unbeaten run to 14 games to set a new club record in the Barclays Premier League as they were held 1-1 at West Brom.

Spurs have not lost in the league since the opening day and it is now their longest run without defeat in the top flight since a 14-game streak in 1985.

Dele Alli enhanced his growing reputation when he volleyed in after 15 minutes in front of watching England boss Roy Hodgson.

But James McClean levelled with his first goal since February and Spurs were indebted to Hugo Lloris for a wonderful reaction stop to deny Jonas Olsson in the second half.

The Baggies silenced Harry Kane as the striker was restricted to just one second-half chance which he failed to convert while Saido Berahino - who threatened to strike after Tottenham's deadline day bids were rejected by West Brom in the summer - was an unused substitute.

West Brom vs Tottenham - player ratings

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With Berahino benched for the fourth straight game Salomon Rondon spearheaded the Baggies and he drilled wide after seven minutes.

The striker should have done better and Albion paid the price when they were caught out eight minutes later.

Toby Alderweireld launched a deep ball from his own half and Alli split Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson to poke a first-time volley past Boaz Myhill from seven yards.

It was a poor goal to concede and Spurs looked to take the sting out of the game without seriously threatening again.

There was little suggestion the Baggies would launch a recovery as Rondon diligently toiled for little reward.

But they levelled after 39 minutes when a neat move opened Spurs up for McClean's first goal for the club.

Stephane Sessegnon linked with Darren Fletcher on the right for the former Manchester United man to burst into the box and cross for McClean who beat Kyle Walker to the ball to thump in a six-yard header.

Kane, who had been quiet, almost restored Spurs' lead three minutes after the restart but he could not bundle in before Erik Lamela headed straight at Myhill.

Alli continued to impress but neither side were able to take control of a scruffy game which lacked real quality. Spurs continued to look the most dangerous but the dogged Baggies forced them down dead ends.

Myhill claimed Mousa Dembele's low 25 yard effort after 63 minutes before Lloris was Tottenham's saviour 10 minutes later.

Chris Brunt's free-kick caused havoc in the Spurs box and it fell to Olsson four yards out and Lloris produced a stunning reflex save to turn his stabbed volley over the bar.

It inspired the Baggies and Rondon should have done better than to let Craig Gardner's cross run in front of him with the goal at his mercy.

Spurs lost their composure with Albion galvanised but the Baggies could not find a way through and had to settle for a point.

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