Tottenham vs. West Brom: Winners and Losers from Premier League
Tony Pulis' West Brom weren't expected to play a decisive role in the Premier League title race.
After their meek performance against Arsenal, they were seen as little more than a formality in Tottenham's pursuit of Leicester City.
Tottenham began with total confidence, flowing forward and forcing West Brom backwards.
Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele ripped the ball away time and again as Spurs built towards a goal.
Mauricio Pochettino's team were vicious with and without the ball.
Their gang-tackling yielded numerous half-chances, but they couldn't turn a total domination of possession into the victory their title hopes required.
Winner: Leicester City
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Leicester City are now all but champions of England.
Tottenham's failure to press home their advantage in the first hour against West Brom means the Foxes now hold a virtually insurmountable lead of seven points with just three games to play.
Instead of Chelsea potentially handing the title to the Foxes on the final day, they'll most likely be obliged to applaud their entrance onto the pitch as champions.
Churlish fans will argue that Leicester have been fortunate, but there is no denying that they will be deserved title winners.
This result will be tough for Spurs fans to take, but they always faced unlikely odds and can still feel justifiably proud of a title race well run.
Loser: Tottenham
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Tottenham started with all the confidence of their recent hammerings of Manchester United and Stoke City but were unable to convert their dominance into goals.
Eriksen and Dembele were outstanding in midfield, dancing away from West Brom's packed defence time and again, but they just couldn't create a decisive opening.
Eriksen's run and pass for Erik Lamela's second-half chance was worthy of a goal, but the Argentinian could only place his shot against the inside of the post.
The hosts started ever so brightly but faded and eventually surrendered their lead.
Evidently rattled by the effect of chances not taken, Spurs stuttered and ultimately squandered a chance to reel in Leicester's lead.
The title race is now a coronation parade for Leicester City.
Winner: Tony Pulis
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West Brom manager Tony Pulis has achieved his objective for this season, having secured the Baggies' place in the division for another year.
His team's unvarnished style is evidently effective enough, but it must be tough for their supporters to travel down to London and see such a starkly different approach.
Pulis has once again confirmed himself as the king of utilitarian, functional football.
His team resisted some delightful play from the visitors and certainly proved tougher opposition than Pulis' former club, Stoke City.
After blunting Tottenham's attack, Pulis' side had the wherewithal to hit back with a vital goal and deny the hosts a desperately needed victory.
Baggies fans have clearly had their fill of Pulis' defensive, unambitious style (Warning: NSFW language).
Pulis isn't winning many admirers, but for a club of West Brom's relatively modest stature, he provides a certainty of survival that few managers could match.
Loser: Dele Alli
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Alli was at the centre of every Tottenham attack, giving vital energy to every move Eriksen and Dembele started.
He was justifiably named the PFA Young Player of the Year after becoming a crucial player in his first year with Spurs.
If Tottenham are to catch Leicester City, or at least put pressure on them, they need their chief agent of chaos.
Unfortunately, Alli may be sidelined for the final weeks of the campaign after appearing to punch West Brom midfielder Claudio Yacob in the first half.
Alli has had a number of small incidents betraying a lack of self-control this season, but none have cost his team.
If the FA choose to punish him for this latest offence, it would be a final body blow to Spurs' ailing title hopes.
A suspension of one to three games could be in the offing for Alli.
If he is forced to sit out the final games of the campaign, it will be a bitter pill but could help his long-term development, as he must learn to control his temper.
Winner: Danny Rose
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Danny Rose's presence in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year yielded some criticism, but his performance against West Brom should have erased any doubts.
Pulis had apparently identified Spurs' right flank as their key attacking outlet and set out to flood that side with bodies.
With Jonny Evans playing the unfamiliar full-back role, he was also being protected by his team's shape.
That gave Rose a huge amount of space.
Taking every chance to expose Stephane Sessegnon, Rose was a constant attacking threat.
Inside, outside, Rose passed Sessegnon with impunity until the more industrious James McClean switched with the Beninese attacker.
A winger in his youth, Rose retains those attacking instincts and gave the Baggies huge problems.
He even had a penalty shout, reasonably denied, when he materialised on the penalty spot as an auxiliary forward.
Many Spurs players put on fine performances but Rose gave everything to drag his team forward.
