English Premier League: Albion halt Hammers at Upton Park
West Brom have deployed a parachute, albeit temporarily, on their free fall which ended a string of four consecutive defeats. In fact, West Brom had the opportunity of beating injury-hit West Ham at Upton Park, instead the match ended in a draw after 90 minutes of mediocre football.
The Baggies could have opened the score from Jonathan Greening who was left toe to toe with Green, but instead fired the ball over the bar. Then James Morrison in turn was left one on one with the keeper and had his effort saved, which was followed by a Shelton Martis strike that found the woodwork.
The Hammers rarely threatened the penalty area of the visitors, with the only substantial efforts all night emanating from David di Michele and Savio. West Ham suffered Matthew Upson who was stretchered off the pitch, and then their saviour on the night, keeper Robert Green who was brought down brutally by a hard challenge.
After the match, as reported by the Hammer's website, Upson was walking freely while Green said he "would live to fight another day".
The Baggies stood firm, and played coherent football with Shelton Martis and Olsson shouldering most of the responsibility in the back four, managing to overcome and deflect any danger that came from West Ham. The visitors were full of running and full of endeavour as they searched for their first away win since last September.
Gianfranco Zola’s troops were lethargic, slow to react, slow to mount an attack and slow on imagination as well. They were second to the ball almost all the time, especially in the first half which was completely dominated by the basement club.
After the match, the BBC quoted the West Brom boss Tony Mowbray:
"It was there for us to win tonight - I don't think West Ham were 100 per cent at it. We had good opportunities to win the game. James Morrison missed one and Jonathan Greening clipped his shot over the bar.
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola told his club's website:
"We missed a few important players and West Brom played well. West Brom had very good chances and they could have gone in front, which is why I'm saying this was a very good point for our team."
West Ham (4-4-2): Green ; Neill , Tomkins , Upson (Spector 29min), Ilunga ; Noble (Boa Morte 82), Kovac , Parker , Savio (Stanislas 68, ); Di Michele , Sears .
Booked: Savio.
West Brom (4-5-1): Carson ; Zuiverloon , Martis , Olsson , Robinson ; Morrison , Koren , Greening , Dorrans , Brunt (Simpson 80); Fortune (Moore 80).
The Baggies could have opened the score from Jonathan Greening who was left toe to toe with Green, but instead fired the ball over the bar. Then James Morrison in turn was left one on one with the keeper and had his effort saved, which was followed by a Shelton Martis strike that found the woodwork.
The Hammers rarely threatened the penalty area of the visitors, with the only substantial efforts all night emanating from David di Michele and Savio. West Ham suffered Matthew Upson who was stretchered off the pitch, and then their saviour on the night, keeper Robert Green who was brought down brutally by a hard challenge.
After the match, as reported by the Hammer's website, Upson was walking freely while Green said he "would live to fight another day".
The Baggies stood firm, and played coherent football with Shelton Martis and Olsson shouldering most of the responsibility in the back four, managing to overcome and deflect any danger that came from West Ham. The visitors were full of running and full of endeavour as they searched for their first away win since last September.
Gianfranco Zola’s troops were lethargic, slow to react, slow to mount an attack and slow on imagination as well. They were second to the ball almost all the time, especially in the first half which was completely dominated by the basement club.
After the match, the BBC quoted the West Brom boss Tony Mowbray:
"It was there for us to win tonight - I don't think West Ham were 100 per cent at it. We had good opportunities to win the game. James Morrison missed one and Jonathan Greening clipped his shot over the bar.
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola told his club's website:
"We missed a few important players and West Brom played well. West Brom had very good chances and they could have gone in front, which is why I'm saying this was a very good point for our team."
West Ham (4-4-2): Green ; Neill , Tomkins , Upson (Spector 29min), Ilunga ; Noble (Boa Morte 82), Kovac , Parker , Savio (Stanislas 68, ); Di Michele , Sears .
Booked: Savio.
West Brom (4-5-1): Carson ; Zuiverloon , Martis , Olsson , Robinson ; Morrison , Koren , Greening , Dorrans , Brunt (Simpson 80); Fortune (Moore 80).