Tottenham Hotspur 1 West Brom 0

Albion nemesis Jermain Defoe hurt them again as a brave effort by Roy Hodgson's injury-hit side came to nothing at White Hart Lane.

The England striker struck his fourth goal in three games against the Baggies to break their spirited defence on 63 minutes.

The visitors had battled to keep the scoresheet blank despite waves of Spurs attacks before Defoe netted neatly from close range.

And the Baggies heaped pressure on the home goal in the closing stages but could not find an equaliser.

Albion found themselves under the cosh early on with Gareth McAuley and Craig Dawson called upon to make key clearances as Tottenham laid siege to the visitors' box.

And keeper Ben Foster had to make a strong punch to clear a cross by Gareth Bale.

Albion were denied a scoring chance when Benoit Assou-Ekotto cut a Peter Odemwingie cross was Graham Dorrans lurking.

But at the other end Albion were grateful to Foster for a fine save to tip Rafael van der Vaart's shot over his crossbar.

Early in the second half the Baggies almost shocked the hosts when a Graham Dorrans corner was just too high for Craig Dawson, whose header flashed wide.

But the rookie centre-back's misery was compounded moments later when he was turned by Defoe for the opening goal.

The Baggies failed to clear a cross by Assou-Ekotto, Bale seized on the loose ball to tee up Defoe, and the England striker span away from Dawson and found the bottom corner.

But the visitors produced a stirring effort in the closing stages, throwing men forward in their hunt for an equaliser.

And they went close when substitute Somen Tchoyi let fly with a long-range effort that was beaten away by keeper Brad Friedel.