Here was a game to reflect the steel that Tottenham Hotspur have added to their traditional silk as they equalled a club record of 14 league games unbeaten after surviving a spirited second-half assault from West Bromwich Albion.

Hugo Lloris’s implausible save from Jonas Olsson 17 minutes from time left Mauricio Pochettino grateful to “one of the best goalkeepers in the world” but it was the manner in which the team as a whole refused to buckle as Tony Pulis’s players built up a head of steam in difficult conditions that augurs well for Spurs’ chances of a top-four finish.

Not since 1985 have Spurs gone this long without defeat but their new-found resilience was tested to the full by an Albion side buoyed by James McClean’s first goal for the club, the equaliser after Dele Alli’s opener.