Tottenham Hotspur all-but surrendered the Premier League title tonight as they squandered the lead to West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane, with Leicester City fans jumping out of their seats all across the country.
The Foxes tightened their stronghold on top spot on Sunday but Spurs ensured the pressure remains on Claudio Ranieri’s men, overcoming the Baggies to close the gap to five points in the race for the Premier League title.
Mauricio Pochettino named an unchanged XI from last Monday’s emphatic demolition of Stoke City and they were immediately on the front foot here, with Christian Eriksen coming close from two free-kicks in the opening exchanges.
Breaking the deadlock as early as possible was always going to be the goal for the hosts with Tony Pulis’ side camped deep inside their own half, and they should have broken the deadlock after six minutes when Harry Kane rattled the post.
The chance was presented to him by PFA Young Player of the Year Dele Alli, scorer of Tottenham’s goal in the 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns in December, but Kane’s close-range shot was turned onto the post by Boaz Myhill to frustrate the division’s top scorer.
West Brom looked like reaching half-time with their clean sheet preserved but their resolute defence was eventually breached in the 34th minute, Dawson inadvertently turning into his own net after a sumptuous Eriksen free-kick.
Jan Vertonghen was diving in to head home but it was Dawson who was forced into the mistake, giving Spurs their 23rd goal of the season from set-pieces, four more than any other top-flight side.
The visitors have already reached the magic 40-point mark and few expected them to rally at the break and start the second half on top, but that’s exactly what happened as the home crowd was silenced and left to ponder their side’s precarious 1-0 lead.
And indeed, Spurs could and should have been out of sight and two in front by the hour-mark, but Pochettino was left kicking the turf once again as his side struck the woodwork for the third time.
Eriksen, architect of Tottenham’s best openings of the game, led a counter-attack before sliding one into the path of Erik Lamela, who sorted his feet out swiftly but saw his guided effort clip the post.
Chances continued to pass by and Leicester fans were off their seats on 72 minutes as Dawson levelled the scores and threatened to end Spurs’ title challenge.
Salomon Rondon, a willing runner all night, forced Hugo Lloris into a wonderful reaction save to tip over the bar but it was from the corner that the damage was done, Dawson rising above the crowd to nod into an empty net after beating Dier to the ball.
Spurs enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession but just couldn’t find a way past the West Brom defence, with Leicester’s lead at the top now sitting at seven points with just three to play, gifting Ranieri’s men the chance to be crowned champions with victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.
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