Premier League Week 2-Write up Tottenham Hotspur v West Brom

Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 West Brom
Tottenham Hotspur started their Premier League season off with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Newcastle in a game they were probably the better side in. In their second game they faced Liverpool's conqueror's West Brom who had surprised everybody in securing a 3-0 victory over Liverpool.

The home side, playing their first league game at White Heart Lane under Andre Villas-Boas looked the better team through the opening half as they dominated possession and created numerous chances that fell by the way side. The second half however saw West Brom coming alive and they grew into the game.

It appeared as if Tottenham had taken the lead in the 65th minute through Jermain Defoe, only for the referees assistant to rule the goal out with Defore standing clearly offiside as the ball was played into him. Just 10 minutes later Spurs did take the lead thanks to Benoit Assou-Ekotto's long range effort that took a deflection en-route to beating Ben Foster. It appeared as if the points were Tottenham's though, as we all know, Spurs don't have luck on their side and the visitors pushed hard to try and get an equaliser. As the match entered injury time West Brom managed to bag the necessary goal thanks to James Morrison who earned the Baggies a point.

This match will have been a hard pill for Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas to swallow as he came so close to securing his first win as Tottenham manager following the summer sacking of Harry Redknapp, a decision the fans didn't agree with. Despite the late equaliser Tottenham looked the better team however their play in the attack third was lacking cohesion and this left them perhaps not looking as much of a threat as one would expect. It was a long day for Defoe who rarely looked himself and the attack looked really toothless. At the back however Jan Vertonghen looked like a player who will be a commander in defense and looks to be a really impressive signing.

Steve Clarke will feel proud of his players for the second weekend running. They were incredible last weekend as they defeated Liverpool and they were brilliant again here in a match that they refused to accept they were beaten in. Despite looking poor for the first 45 minutes they really warmed to the occasion and looked like a team determined to get something from the match. If Clarke can keep the desire in his players to get something from every game then they could be a real handful for anyone.

Premier League Week 1-Write up West Brom v Liverpool

West Brom 3-0 Liverpool
Having sacked Kenny Dalglish at the end of last season and brought in Brendon Rodgers expectations were high at Liverpool for this season, though as we all know things are never the way they should be for Liverpool where stunningly upset today in their league opener by West Brom.

Liverpool started well with the controversial Luis Suarez having a number of chances including an excellent headed chance to put Liverpool in the lead, though couldn't finish any of them. Instead of Suarez it was returning Zoltán Gera that opened the scoring with an excellent strike in the 43rd minute that may well be an early contender for goal of the season. The Hungarian let loose with a thunderbolt from outside the penalty area that gave Reina no chance.

In the second half West Brom had a fantastic chance to double their lead as Daniel Agger fouled Shane Long in the penalty area. Whilst Agger was given a straight red Long couldn't convert the penalty. It didn't take long however for West Brom to be given a second penalty after Martin Škrtel lost track of both the ball and Long. This time Peter Odemwinge stepped up to the spot and he didn't make the same mistake as his team smashing the ball into the bottom corner. The match was finally sealed around 15 minutes from time as Romelu Lukaku headed in a 3rd for West Brom.

Brendon Rodgers was expected to have a midas touch though signings Joe Allen and Fabio Borini both looked completely out of place on the pitch with the pair looking like 2 very expensive accessories. The combined £26 million spent on the two men is looking like a seriously bad move for Rodgers who will almost certainly get the fans on his back if he cannot turn things around quickly.

For West Brom's new manager Steve Clarke this must have been a dream start. Not only did he manage to defeat the team that got rid of him last year but he managed to make a real statement about his team, who will likely be expected to match last season's 10th place finish. The return of Gera (who had been out for 8 months) is a major positive for the Baggies and Lukaku is an excellent loan signing who will seriously give West Brom a threat up front. Don't be surprised if West Brom manage a number of upsets this year.