Mauricio Pochettino made changes to the Spurs team that clinched a League Cup final place in midweek 

Published: 1 February, 2015
by DAN CARRIER

Premier League 
WEST BROM 0, SPURS 3

HARRY Kane struck a double and Christian Eriksen fired home one of his trademark free-kicks as Spurs strolled to victory away at West Brom – leaving themselves lurking on the shoulders of fourth-placed Southampton as the business end of the season approaches. 

They were Kane's 20th and 21st goals of the season, and pushed Mauricio Pochettino's team into fifth place, two points off the top four.

Speaking after the game, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris told Spurs TV: “We're delighted. It was a great team performance. We have important games coming up and we need to stay focussed. We tried to keep the right mentality and we showed that together. In the opening 30 minutes we were fantastic.”

Pochettino made changes from the Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday, drafting Danny Rose, Federico Fazio and Hugo Lloris into the defence, while Brazilian midfielder Paulinho made his first start in the Premiership this term.

Mousa Dembele was pushed forward in an attacking, number 10 position, allowing the Belgian to dictate the tempo – and the League Cup finalists could not have got off to a better start. On six minutes, Eriksen curled a superb free-kick home from distance and then on 15, Kane stepped inside his marker and fired Spurs into a two-goal lead. 

In a highly professional display, Spurs controlled the game when it mattered and it was no surprise that they gave themselves a comfortable last half-hour after Kane converted from the penalty spot just after the 60-minute mark. 

They now face Arsenal at home next Saturday – and with their rivals currently a point behind with a game in hand, things are shaping up nicely for a classic north London derby.

SPURS COMMENT by Dan Carrier

SPURS' head coach Mauricio Pochettino made two big tactical decisions, and they both came off. He moved Mousa Dembele into a more advanced, number 10 position and the Belgian's ability on the ball gave his team-mates a target to aim for and a player who would keep possession in tight situations. 

Paulinho, whose World Cup hangover from last summer has led to him falling out of contention, has been gently nursed through an autumn and winter and given plenty of rest. Yesterday, his first start in the Premiership, he rediscovered his zip and it looks like he has resurrected his Spurs career.

SPURS: Lloris, Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Rose, Dembele (Chadli, 61), Mason (Stambouli, 72), Lamela, Paulinho, Eriksen, Kane (Soldado, 87).
Subs: Vorm, Davies, Chadli, Stambouli, Townsend, Soldado.