Harry Kane's 88th-minute header was enough to send Tottenham to the top of the Premier League for the first time since August 2014.
A game of few chances seemed destined to end goalless after Hugo Lloris had kept out Karlan Grant's second-half header and a flurry of Tottenham chances had come and gone without reward.
But, as has been the case so often in the past, Kane punished a minor lack of concentration.
West Brom's defence failed to track the England skipper's run into the box, allowing him to leap unchecked to meet Matt Doherty's cross and nod a 150th Premier League goal over goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
Tottenham's lead at the summit may only last a matter of hours, but it was the kind of narrow win that is the hallmark of champions.
For West Brom, who have now scored once in their last five games, it was a result that keeps them in the relegation zone and already facing a tough battle to retain their top-flight status.
Latest Stories
-
Dancer Championrolie named brand influencer for Tecno Camon30
1 hour -
Election 2024: National Peace Council cautions the clergy against spiteful comments
1 hour -
Basketmouth touts Dave Chappelle ‘comedy god’
1 hour -
It’s a shame ‘galamsey’ issues no longer make headlines – Sir Sam Jonah slams Ghanaian journalists
2 hours -
Stay original; don’t take anybody’s material – Basketmouth to comedians
2 hours -
I ignore a lot of things – Jacinta on how she deals with challenges
2 hours -
Full text: Sam Jonah’s speech at GJA 75th anniversary launch
2 hours -
Allow private sector participation in ECG, GRIDCo to make them viable – Otumfuo to government
3 hours -
Kejetia traders demand individual meters to end persistent power cuts
3 hours -
Ghana’s rising soccer star Michael Eshun makes strides in Canada
3 hours -
Funny Face visits accident victims including 2 children
3 hours -
Prez Akufo-Addo says over 5 million students have benefitted Free SHS: True or False? Here is what we know
3 hours -
Employing tobacco harm reduction as a public health policy to drive down smoking rates in Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon
4 hours -
Global public debt edged up to 93% of GDP in 2023 – IMF
4 hours -
MPs back smoking ban for those born after 2009
4 hours