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Tottenham handed Paulinho his first Premier League start of the season and recalled goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for today’s match at West Brom as they tried to keep their bid for Champions League football on track.
Lloris was rested as Spurs drew 2-2 at Sheffield United in midweek to set up a meeting with Chelsea in the Capital One Cup final, but he was one of four changes Mauricio Pochettino made to his starting XI at The Hawthorns. Michel Vorm, who played at Bramall Lane, dropped to the bench.
Danny Rose was brought back at left-back in place of Ben Davies and Federico Fazio stepped in for Eric Dier in central defence. Paulinho replaced Benjamin Stambouli in central midfield, but the remaining seven starters from midweek retained their places.
For West Brom, new signing Callum McManaman was handed a debut following his £4.75million move from Wigan.
Tottenham are unbeaten in their last four trips to West Brom but the visitors have not kept a clean sheet in their last 12 away fixtures, a run stretching back the 0-0 draw at Partizan Belgrade in the Europa League on September 18.
TEAMS IN FULL
West Brom starting XI: Foster, Wisdom, McAuley, Dawson, Lescott, Yacob, Brunt, Morrison, McManaman, Anichebe, Berahino.
Substitutes: Rose, Pocognoli, Baird, Gardner, Dorrans, Sessegnon, Ideye.
Tottenham starting XI: Lloris, Walker, Fazio, Vertonghen, Rose; Dembele, Mason; Eriksen, Paulinho, Lamela; Kane
Substitutes: Vorm, Davies, Dier, Chadli, Stambouli, Townsend, Soldado
Speaking ahead of the match, Pochettino criticised the club's hectic schedule, insisting that it will even offer Chelsea an unfair advantage ahead of their League Cup final on March 1.
"It is not fair," said the Tottenham head coach. “It is not fair to play a final after playing another final in Florence on Thursday. They play on Saturday against Burnley and then have a clean week to prepare for the Final.
“If Jose was in my position, maybe he would complain about the situation! But I understand that this is football. We have to accept that and be ready for every game. It is not the best situation but this is football. We are not worried about that. We are strong and will make sure we are ready for the final.”
