West Bromwich Albion vs West Ham United - Post Match

West Ham were again without star signings Alex Song and Diafra Sakho whilst Mark Noble was also ruled out of the clash between fifth place and fifteenth place.

Right from the off West Brom played with a particular dominance and sharpness that West Ham fans had been more accustomed to this season as they looked to lift the pressure off of Alan Irvine’s shoulders, who’s only been in the dugout at the Hawthorns since mid-June. Saido Berahino and Victor Anichebe offered a threat to the Hammers’ defence, with the first corner coming only five minutes in. Cleared behind by James Tomkins. By the eighth minute West Ham had already conceded four corners in front of their 2,700 travelling fans and what seemed to look an easy game on paper proved to be anything but. And two minutes later they were deservedly ahead thanks to a Craig Dawson header. Dawson evaded the Hammers defence unmarked and headed in to open the scoring. 1-0 the home side. As the minutes ticked past West Brom still looked the stronger of the sides as West Ham tried to gain a foothold in the match. Both sides wanted the second goal that would change the complexion of the match completely. As the contest neared the half hour match West Ham began to show signs of why they were flying high in the Premier League and on 35 minutes they finally had something to show for all their efforts as none other than Kevin Nolan bundled the ball past Ben Foster after the goalkeeper parried Andy Carroll’s overhead kick. 1-1. Nolan’s first goal of the season and it probably couldn’t have come at a better time. The goal prompted WBA into action again and they ventured forward, only to be repelled by West Ham’s defence. West Ham then ventured forward, only to be repelled by West Brom’s defence. End to end stuff. GOAL. Right on the stroke of half time. Stewart Downing’s corner finding the head of James Tomkins which found the back of the net meaning that West Ham would go into the break 2-1 ahead. A great turnaround. After a disappointing opening 15 minutes, West Ham have emerged to be the better side and they arguably deserve their half time lead.

Source: whufc.com

West Ham started the second half like they finished the first and the opening chance of the second period fell to West Ham, unfortunately for them they were unable to get a third and put the game to rest. The Baggies again began to threaten once more, however Adrian was more than up to the test in the West Ham goal. Still 2-1 with sixty minutes played. Enner Valencia entered the field of play replacing Andy Carroll alongside James Collins who replaced former Baggie Morgan Amalfitano on the 63rd minute thus giving West Ham a whole new dimension of play. West Brom really began to throw men forward now, peppering the West Ham goal with continuos shots and crosses, all thankfully coming to nothing. Summer signing Brown Ideye entered the frame for West Brom and found two shots of his blocked by the sturdy West Ham defence in quick succession and the scoreline would stay and end the same. West Brom 1-2 West Ham. The East Londoners found themselves under pressure in the closing stages but held out to record their seventh win of the season to stay fifth. Funny old game this football…