Martin Jol rang the changes with Jermain Defoe, Grzegorz Rasiak, Anthony Gardner and Wayne Routledge coming in. Paul Robinson was handed the captaincy for the night in Ledley King’s absence.
The game enjoyed a sizzling beginning with Lee Young-Pyo stealing a march on his marker down the left flank and presenting Defoe with a good scoring chance but his drive was blocked by Curtis Davies.
But Albion were able to make their early pressure pay in the 23rd minute - thanks in no small part to a couple of fortunate ricochets.
The persistence of Ellington won the ball in midfield and he fed a pass into the path of Diomansy Kamara, who got the better of Jermaine Jenas in the middle. Kanu picked the ball up off a Michael Carrick deflection, and skipped around Michael Dawson, then rounded Robinson before sliding his shot into an empty net from an acute angle.
The only surprise was that Albion, taking inspiration from a sell-out crowd at the Hawthorns, did not add to their advantage before half-time.
Albion set the seal on their success after 52 minutes.
It was a goal earned by the determination of Kanu. A slip by Gardner from a Tottenham throw in let the Nigerian into the danger area. Although the defender did his best to win the ball back, Kanu easily shrugged off his challenge before powering forward to beat Robinson with a low drive at the near post.
Jol responded by sending on Robbie Keane in place of Routledge, and Mido for Rasiak with 20 minutes remaining.
But even the introduction of the duo into a three-man frontline alongside Defoe could not breathe any life into Tottenham's disappointing challenge. Kuszczak was not really being worked in the Albion goal.