Leicester, A Win Away From Title As Spurs Slip-Up

Its been a fairy-tale story for Leicester as their quest for their first ever Premier League title in their 132-year history is poised to have a glorious ending sooner than they expected as they are now seven points clear of Tottenham, who slipped-up against West Brom on Monday night with just three games left to play.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side were dealt a huge blow in their title ambitions after playing out a 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at White Hart Lane.

Craig Dawson’s 72nd minute header saw the West Bromwich defender amend his first-half own goal and deny Spurs the victory required to narrow the gap and turn the heat back onto Premier League leaders Leicester.

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Dawson is now the fourth player this season to score a goal and an own goal in the same Premier League game (after Troy Deeney, Olivier Giroud and John Terry).
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Spurs’ surprise slip-up at White Hart Lane means Leicester are seven points clear with three games remaining and the Foxes’ fairytale will be complete if they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

While Spurs, who are not in action until they visit Chelsea on Monday, will have to hope for a favor from Louis van Gaal’s men.

Spurs have only lost once in the Premier League since mid-January – a run spanning 14 matches – but dropping two points against a mid-table West Brom side, who have little to play for, could prove costly.

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Mauricio Pochettino’s team are still alive in the title race, but their hopes are now hanging by a thread, they must now hope for a miracle if they are to win their first title since 1961.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live after the game, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said: “A second goal would have made it very different. In the first half we played very well and it will always happen in football when you allow the other team to believe you can concede.

“But I think I am still very proud for my players. We still need to believe. We know it will be difficult but we need to still believe and fight for these three games.

“We have a chance but it is true that now it is more difficult. We understand that this was a must-win and now we have to lift the players.”

West Brom were far more ambitious in the second half, causing Tottenham problems with a barrage of high balls into the area, leaving their manager Tony Pulis with some positive to take home.

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“We just watched them dance around us at times but the great thing about the game was we came in just 1-0 down at half-time,” West Brom boss Pulis said.

“But second half was much better – more like the performances we’ve been putting in away from home.

“I’m really pleased with the players. We lack a bit of quality at times but I can’t fault their work-rate and they work within a shape that suits them.

“I just want Leicester to win it. Leicester is such a wonderful story and I don’t think it can happen anywhere else but in this country.

“What Leicester can do is dig results out and that’s what they’ve done. I just think it’s a wonderful, wonderful story. But they still have a lot of work to do.”

Pulis’ side are now 13th on the log, while Spurs remain in second place.

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