Dawson leaves Spurs� title hopes hanging by a thread
AFP
AFP, LONDON: Tottenham Hotspurs prospects of catching Leicester City in a thrilling Premier League title race suffered a major blow as they dropped two points in a frustrating 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane on Monday.
Albion defender Craig Dawson made amends for his 33rd-minute own-goal by heading home an equaliser 17 minutes from time that has huge ramifications for the destiny of this seasons English title.
Leicester are seven points clear of Spurs with three matches remaining and if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, they will become English football champions for the first time, regardless of anything else Tottenham do this season.
To make matters worse for Spurs, they could be missing one of their key players in the closing stages of the season after video footage emerged on Twitter which showed Dele Alli appearing to punch Albion midfielder Claudio Yacob in the stomach during the first half.
The incident was missed by the referee Mike Jones and Englands governing Football Association are now likely to review the incident. If Alli, the newly-crowned Professional Footballers Association Young Player of the Year is punished retrospectively, he could be banned from the remainder of north London club Tottenhams campaign.
On Sunday, Leicester consolidated their position at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 home thumping of Swansea.
That result meant there was no margin of error for Tottenham.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino fielded the same side that overwhelmed Stoke City 4-0 a week earlier, while Albion were forced into making changes.
Saido Berahino, whom Tottenham tried but failed to sign in pre-season, was removed from the starting line-up having aggravated an ankle injury against Arsenal last Thursday.
