Honours even at Upton Park

Baggies six points from safety after lacklustre draw

Last updated: 16th March 2009

Honours even at Upton Park

Mowbray: Frustrated

Man of the match: Chris Brunt for his solid performance and numerous assists in a hard fought draw.

Effort of the match: Shelton Martis' leaping header rattling the woodwork early in the second half.

Save of the match: Scott Carson's second block after a double-shot by Lucas Neill from close range.

Talking point: Is it all over for Tony Mowbray's West Brom with only a handful of games to go?

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West Brom had to settle for a point in a lacklustre goalless draw with West Ham at Upton Park, leaving them six points from safety.

In a game with only two shots on target, the Baggies - try as they might - just could not find a way through a packed Hammers defence.

Shelton Martis came closest for the visitors, with a leaping header rattling the woodwork early in the second half.

Jonathan Greening's slice over the crossbar from close range for the Baggies soon after was the only other chance of note in the 90 minutes.

Now six points from safety at the foot of the table, Tony Mowbray's side will see the draw as two points dropped and a further nail in the coffin for their hopes of Premier League survival.

Recovery

On the day that the Carlos Tevez saga was declared over - with the Hammers and Sheffield United finally coming to an agreement - it looked like the Baggies were at the start of staging an amazing recovery.

But in terms of entertainment, it was in short supply. Marc-Antoine Fortune, playing in attack on his own for the visitors, smashed an effort into the side-netting but that was the sum total of the early chances.

The Baggies had gone eight previous games without a clean sheet so Mowbray tried a new centre-back pairing - Jonas Olsson returned from a knee injury and Martis was given his first top-flight start.

Mowbray's selection appeared to tighten his defence, although it made for dull football.

Predictably, the first talking point came from a set-piece, after Hammers goalkeeper Robert Green needlessly conceded a corner when the ball was drifting out for a goal-kick midway though the opening period.

Chris Brunt's set-piece was aimed at the far post where Paul Robinson went to ground under a challenge from Lucas Neill - but referee Mark Halsey awarded a goal-kick.

Chance

James Morrison created the first genuine chance of the match after Gianni Zuiverloon won the ball in midfield. Morrison charged forward, breezing past James Tomkins and Neill before Green bravely saved his finish.

The hosts were merely looking to contain West Brom at this stage and the task was not made any easier when Matthew Upson was carried off on a stretcher after picking up an injury, with Jonathan Spector coming on.

Carlton Cole supplied 11 goals this season before picking up his second red card of the campaign - and Freddie Sears was given the chance to fill the void left by Zola's suspended first-choice striker.

Hammers youngster Sears had an effort blocked by Martis and another deflected onto the roof of the net before the half-time whistle.

Despite Sears' efforts, West Brom would have felt they had the better of the first 45 minutes - and they should have been ahead 10 minutes after the restart.

Brunt made a yard of room for himself on the left flank and his cross was headed against the crossbar by Martis, with Green requiring treatment for a head injury he picked up while attempting to save.

Savio went on an exciting run but finished it with a shot that almost went for a throw-in, then he got booked for a sliding challenge on Morrison as the Baggies midfielder raided down the right flank.

It was the last contribution the youngster made as Zola brought on Junior Stanislas for the final quarter, replacing the player he bought in a £9million deal in January.

Greening was off target with his glorious opportunity with 19 minutes remaining, accepting Morrison's pass and waiting for Green to commit but chipping his finish over the crossbar.

West Ham UnitedTeam StatisticsWest Bromwich Albion
0Goals0
01st Half Goals0
1Shots on Target1
6Shots off Target5
3Blocked Shots4
3Corners4
11Fouls13
6Offsides0
1Yellow Cards1
0Red Cards0
81.5Passing Success76.8
35Tackles19
71.4Tackles Success68.4
53.6Possession46.4
43.1Territorial Advantage56.9

Comments (10)

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Adam Bowes (Leeds United fan) says...

Dullest game i've seen since Leeds played Blackburn in 1997. Good to see West Ham bringing in some young talent for this game. However I think some Freddie Sears is a Championship player at best. Savio looked ok, don't think he is the "new me" as described by Zola.

Posted 09:23 17th March 2009

Bradley Meredith (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

I watched this game thinking two good passing teams would mean lots of chances and good build up. No chance! Anyway, I fear for the Brom at the moment as despite enjoying some real possession, their strikers looked really poor. That Fortune guy just doesn't seem to want to know, and gets pushed off the ball really easily. I did enjoy the midfield knocking it about and also Scott Parker as he is just calmness personified. The rest we could forget without worry!

Posted 09:10 17th March 2009

Matt Hollings (West Bromwich Albion fan) says...

Ah well, the best team in the Championship will be home soon. Boing boing Baggies!

Posted 08:56 17th March 2009

John Wines (West Ham United fan) says...

That was the worst performance of the season, I think West Ham should give a refund to all those who went, plus travel money and free drinks so at least the supporters wont have to watch it sober

Posted 08:35 17th March 2009

Mr T (West Ham United fan) says...

Quite amusing how people who have obviously not watched the hammers play since Zola/Clarke took over voicing their worthless opinions on how West Ham will be going down next season or how awful the football was! Granted this game wasn't great as we had various injuries to key players but to hear the dross about how we're going down and how dare we bein the Premier League is most amusing... Suggest you look at some other clubs before you chastise a team who have been playing well... We can all spend 100 Million a year in the transfer market can we glory hunters.

Posted 07:58 17th March 2009

Dan Rudd (West Ham United fan) says...

All said and done a very dull match last night but from a hammers point of view its really pleasing to see such array of young talent on the pitch. In the past West Ham would of lost that type of game given the lack of core first team players. The only thing I would change if I was Zola would be to replace Di Michelle with another youngster, in my opinion it wouldn't hurt and actually might make a difference with Sears playing along side one of his mates.

Posted 03:34 17th March 2009

Arnold Palmer (Liverpool fan) says...

After watching this match it made me realise what a poor standard our league can be. The passing was very poor the shooting was very poor they only thing that impressed me was that the fans stayed awake. I can state with no doubt in my mind that this was the worst game of football that i have ever watched all the way through and this was only because i was in work and i had money on West Ham. Do us a favour sky i know that you have to cover at least a couple of matches for every team but at least pick ones where there might be just a slight chance of seeing some good football.

Posted 23:51 16th March 2009

Paddy Hickey says...

I have insulted my eyes by watching this game and the only good thing to come from this is that i was in work and getting paid to watch this but even saying that it was hard to to come to terms that these two clubs are in our top league (west brom not for much longer).good luck to both team in their run into the end of the season but i fear the worst for the both of them if not this season then the next!

Posted 23:27 16th March 2009

Richard Chapman says...

The Monday Blues... A weekend of high standards to a Monday where a shot on target each was even difficult!

Posted 22:58 16th March 2009

Phil Smith (West Bromwich Albion fan) says...

I fear that could be it for the Baggies now! These are the sort of games we have to be getting three points from if we are going to survive. Championship here we come.

Posted 22:52 16th March 2009
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