Two late goals from Robbie Keane, including his 50th Premiership strike for the club, kept Spurs on course for a Champions League place next season.

Keane fired home his 50th in the 67th minute to cancel out a first-half goal from West Brom defender Curtis Davies. But Albion's hopes of a point were wrecked two minutes from time when Jermain Defoe charged down Tomasz Kuszczak's clearance.

The Albion 'keeper then sent Defoe crashing for a penalty which Keane converted.

Tottenham had struggled to find any chinks in Albion's defence during a lacklustre opening to the game. Neither side could find the necessary attacking guile although it was Bryan Robson's side who enjoyed more of the possession.

Spurs coach Martin Jol had paired England striker Defoe with Keane in attack for the second successive game but neither player enjoyed the kind of service they thrive on.

Most of the action was at the opposite end with Jonathan Greening causing the Spurs defence some anxious moments with a determined run into the penalty area which brought the visitors a corner.

Spurs managed to clear the danger momentarily but Albion still pressed forward in search of an opening goal. In the 20th minute Ellington won a free-kick 25 yards out and Spurs paid the price for their poor start when Albion skipper Curtis Davies rose to head home Greening's perfectly-flighted cross.

It was the perfect tonic for struggling Albion and they continued to give Spurs much to think about as the home side found it difficult to find any rhythm.

Spurs were still second best as the first half was brought to a close although Aaron Lennon brought a fine save from Kuszczak a minute before the break.

Spurs, who had managed just two shots of any note in the first period, namely long-range efforts from Defoe and Lennon, made no changes at the interval.

Despite having more of the possession from the re-start a 20-yard drive from Jermaine Jenas in the 55th minute was the best they could muster.

At the opposite end, Kanu sent a shot fizzing over the bar before Jol decided to introduce Mido into the action in the 59th minute in place of full-back Stephen Kelly.

The change almost brought instant success for Spurs as Mido sent a shot across the face of the goal which ran agonisingly wide of the far post.

But the breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute when Keane got on the end of a fine pass from Michael Carrick to lift the ball over the advancing Kuszczak and into the net for the equaliser.

And Spurs then scored in the most bizarre of fashions in the 88th minute. Kuszczak's clearance was charged down by Defoe and the Albion 'keeper then hauled him down for a penalty which Keane converted for the winner.