West Brom manager Roy Hodgson refuses to believe Baggies have secured Premier League status with 40 points

Roy Hodgson, West Bromwich Albion (Getty Images)

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West Brom manager Roy Hodgson has refused to declare his side have secured safety just yet, but admitted Saturday’s 2-2 draw away to Tottenham took them a vital step closer to retaining their Premier League status.

Hodgson saw his side take an early lead through Peter Odemwingie at White Hart Lane, before two 20-yard strikes from Pavlyuchenko and Defoe either side of half-time looked to have secured all three points for Spurs.

Yet a sublime 80th-minute strike from substitute Simon Cox ensured the Baggies came away with a point which moves them to 12th place in the Premier League table with 40 points, leaving them six points clear of the relegation zone with just four games left to play.

Asked after the game if he was relieved to have reached the 40-point barrier, Hodgson told Sky Sports News: “I’m relieved and pleased we did after a gritty performance against a very good team away from home.

“I just wish teams below us had less points so we could relax, maybe 40 points won’t be enough, but I’m a lot happier with 40 than 39 put it that way, and once again teams around us draw or lost.”

The former Liverpool boss also reserved praise for Tottenham, who had looked threatening throughout, but insisted his side deserved the point.

“I must pay tribute to Spurs’ attacking flair, they have some incredible attacking players and use the width well on the pitch,” Hodgson added.

“We got back to 2-2 and then see Crouch and Lennon come on, but I thought we showed resilience and our centre-backs were outstanding.

“On the run of things, even though they had more of the ball, we don’t need to apologise for taking a point here.”