West Brom 0-0 West Ham Utd

  • by Staff Writer
  • Sunday, 16th December 2012

A strong defensive performance was the basis for Sam Allardyce's side earning another valuable point away from home at The Hawthorns this afternoon.

West Ham's eighth away fixture of the 2012/13 campaign ended in stalemate as the home side, who have enjoyed a superb first half of the campaign were frustrated in their attempts to break down a resolute Hammers defence that coped with almost everything thrown at them.

Rendered virtually impotent by a resolute rearguard action, the Albion attack failed to seriously trouble United number one Jussi Jaaskelainen who barely had a save of note to make - although there was little he could do about the sole effort from James Morrison that beat him, but not his crossbar.

Indeed, it was West Ham who created the better chances - especially in the opening half - and Winston Reid, for one, should have been celebrating adidng another goal to his career tally tonight instead of reflecting upon a wasted opportunity when he blasted over from just four yards having been set up by central defensive partner James Collins.

Additionally, Matt Taylor gave the home side a scare with just five minutes on the clock when his header from a Carlton Cole cross landed on the roof of the net - and Cole himself stung the hands of Albion goalkeeper Boaz Myhill nine minutes ahead of the break when he won the ball in midfield before firing from long range.

In the second period Cole, who performed superbly again as the sole striker forced a great save from Myhill before being penalised for a non-existent foul. Joey O'Brien, who was picked out at the far post by Mark Noble could perhaps have done better with an effort he sliced back across goal whilst captain Kevin Nolan unusually squandered his best chance of the game early on in the second half.

West Brom, whose sparking early season form has deserted them somewhat of late never really looked like sparking their season back into life with a win today but even still, Zoltan Gera should have done better with a free header from a corner midway through the second period whilst.

The Hungarian also stung Jaaskelainen's palms on the hour mark but fortunately the rebound fell kindly for West Ham. But it was Morrison's 74th minute header from Chirs Brunt's inswinging corner that crashed against the woodwork which almost won the game for Albion - a win that they would have barely deserved.

The Baggies went into today's game five places ahead of injury-hit West Ham, who both started and ended the day in 11th place in the Premier League.

Irons boss Sam Allardyce, whose side was missing the likes of Mo Diame, George McCartney, Ricardo Vaz Te and Andy Carroll will no doubt be delighted with the outcome - a third clean sheet away from home this season and an eighth point from eight games.

Next up for Big Sam and his boys are high-flying Everton, who visit the Boleyn Ground in six days time.

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