Hammers held by West Brom in Hawthorns stalemate
WHUFC.com
West Ham United collected their first away point of the season against West Brom on Saturday following a goalless draw at The Hawthorns. Slaven Bilic's side enjoyed the best chances in a physical and feisty encounter. Pedro Obiang's shot from 40 yards, which crashed into the woodwork, was the stand-out effort.
Michail Antonio also created a decent opportunity for himself while Chicharito may have been through on goal in the second period if not for a challenge by Ben Foster, earning the shot-stopper a booking. The Baggies meanwhile, despite some decent build-up play, failed to trouble Joe Hart's goal with the Hammers earning a second consecutive league clean-sheet. The best chance of the first period came from Spanish midfielder Obiang. The midfielder – who scored from distance on Monday – saw Ben Foster off his line and attempted a curling effort from 40 yards, only for the shot to smash against the cross-bar. Antonio also fashioned an excellent opportunity for himself when he received the ball and ran the length of the pitch, before checking back and firing a shot towards goal, which Foster saved. Andy Carroll's power and presence allowed the No9 to chest down a couple of crosses in dangerous areas, but one of these was marshalled away while the other effort went over the bar. The hosts meanwhile created a few opportunities without worrying Hart or the defence. Winston Reid made a brilliant tackle to stop a Chris Brunt cross from causing problems, while the winger also had a low shot comfortably saved early on.
The second half begun strongly for the Irons with Jose Fonte heading just wide after a decent corner by Aaron Cresswell. The away side lost James Collins due to injury just before the hour mark after the Welshman went dow, which in turn led to the introduction of Mark Arnautovic, returning from his recent suspension.
Arnautovic looked lively and caused problems for West Brom, with one such moment leading to another Obiang effort from distance, only for the shot to go over the bar. Chicharito found himself through on goal only to be brought down by Foster. The West Brom goalkeeper was given a yellow card for his high challenge outside the area, despite calls from the 2,671 travelling supporters for Foster to be given his marching orders, as Baggies defenders had also got back to cover.
West Ham's final chance for three points came in the form of another shirt from Obiang, which Foster was able to pull into his chest, giving both sides the draw.
West Brom: Foster; Hegazi, Evans, Dawson, Gibbs (Nyom 85'); Barry, Krychowiak, Phillips (McClean 76'), Morrison, Brunt (Robson-Kanu 72'); Rodriguez
Subs not used: Myhill, McAuley, Yacob, Rondon
Yellow Cards: Foster 66', McClean 83'
West Ham: Hart; Fonte, Reid, Collins (Arnautovic 58'); Zabaleta, Obiang, Kouyate, Cresswell; Antonio, Chicharito (Ayew 76'), Carroll (Sakho 82')
Subs not used: Adrian, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Rice
Yellow Cards: Zabaleta 9', Antonio 90'
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Obiang satisfied with point earned in West Brom draw
WHUFC.com
Pedro Obiang believes he and his West Ham United teammates can be satisfied with a hard-fought point after playing out a draw against West Brom. The Irons collected their first point away from home in the league this season at The Hawthorns on Saturday, following a 0-0 draw between Slaven Bilic's men and the Baggies. The away side enjoyed the better chances in the fixture but couldn't break down Tony Pulis's side, leading to the two teams sharing the spoils of this weekend's match. But Obiang reckons the Irons can take heart from the battling performance and enjoy an earned draw from a contest in which West Ham more than played their part. "We've come through a difficult moment and we won the last game," Obiang said: "We needed another point to start to move up to the middle of the table. "Maybe this result is enough for us. We are a big team and we needed that point. We can take one point." The goalless game was also a second consecutive clean-sheet for the Hammers and goalkeeper Joe Hart, something the midfielder says is a sign of the improvements made in the team's ability already this season. Obiang has now called on the side to start finding the net on a regular basis in order to turn these good performances into wins and points on the board. The Spaniard added: "For the defenders, for us, and for the team, it's really nice to keep another clean-sheet. We've played difficult games where we've conceded many goals but we're starting to play better, and play together. "We just need to score more goals now."
West Ham's best chance of the game from an Obiang effort. The 25-year-old saw goalkeeper Ben Foster off his line and attempted a curling strike from over 40 yards. The effort went over the West Brom shot-stopper and seemed destined for the top corner, only to unfortunately strike the cross-bar. And Obiang has revealed his goal on Monday – the first finish in the win against Huddersfield Town – inspired him to try another effort from distance against the Baggies.
The midfielder explained: "I have friends who told me that when you score you have a higher capacity to score in the next game. "So I said I would do it, but it didn't happen. Maybe next time!"
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Bilic: We were one moment of quality from winning
WHUFC.com
Slaven Bilic felt his side were one moment of quality away from securing a deserved Premier League victory at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday. West Ham United were a dominant force at The Hawthorns, where they enjoyed two-thirds of possession, created more goal attempts than their hosts, hit the crossbar through Pedro Obiang's long-range curler and restricted the Baggies to one header on target. But while his team were well-organised and rarely threatened, Bilic was disappointed that they failed to create and convert the clear-cut chances required to turn one point into three. "It hasn't been a great game of football, but we were solid again and limited them to one chance in the game, which was James Morrison's header," said the manager. "Especially in the second half, we were dominant and much better than them and coming into those really good areas, still keeping the shape and all that. "To be fair, we looked to get more and that was three points and you have to say the quality in the last third was missing, either with a cross or a reaction from a cross or something, or when we had good one-on-ones in the last 20 minutes, when they opened a little bit. "We needed one of our players, especially our wide players one-against-one in wide positions, to do a bit better, but I have no complaints. It's been a good week for us. We were hoping we would get three points, but to get another clean sheet and a point away from home, you can't be too negative about it. "Of course, we are not going to be raving about this game but, let's be honest, this week has been good for us and, as I said, it's another clean sheet, another solid performance and we looked very concentrated for the whole 90 minutes as a team, knowing what to do, no matter where the ball was. "We were attacking and counter-attacking and, at the same time, when we were losing balls, we were stopping them from counter-attacking us, so there were a lot of positives."
The one big talking point of the game came midway through the second half, when Chicharito poked Andy Carroll's flick-on past Ben Foster outside the Baggies penalty area before being brought down by the England goalkeeper. Bilic initially felt Foster should have been sent-off but, on reflection, felt referee Paul Tierney was justified in not producing a red card. "To be fair, it looked to me to be a red card, but when I saw it again I can't blame the referee," the manager observed. "He didn't do anything wrong there because of two things – one, Foster wasn't last man because two players came behind, Evans and Hegazi, and second, that challenge was mistimed and it wasn't that brutal, so fair enough. "Fair enough, it didn't have to be red, but a lot of times I've seen red for that, especially when you play at home, to be fair."
The manager was also asked for an update on the condition of James Collins, who was helped from the pitch after suffering what has been initially diagnosed as ankle ligament damage. "It was a very strange injury," Bilic confirmed. "It happened in the first half and then maybe, because it was warm and it wasn't a very important ligament in his ankle, he continued to play. "Then, twice after that he felt it, but after the third one, no matter how brave he is, it was impossible to continue. Now, we're going to scan it of course and see, but it is an injury. "On the other hand, we have hope because he could continue, because it happened in the first half."
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West Bromwich Albion 0-0 West Ham United
By Matt Davis
BBC Sport
Gareth Barry can play for "another two or three years" after making a record-equalling 632nd Premier League appearance, says West Brom manager Tony Pulis.
Barry, who shares the record with Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs, reached the milestone in Saturday's 0-0 draw against West Ham at The Hawthorns. The 36-year-old also became the first player to start 600 Premier League games. Pulis said Barry can continue to play at the highest level because of "the way he looks after himself". "I am disappointed he is not just starting with us and is coming to the back end of his career," Pulis told BBC Sport. "He was a player I admired and respected. When we brought him into the club we realised how good he was."
Saturday's match was short on chances, with just two shots on target in the 90 minutes. West Ham's Pedro Obiang provided the only real moment of quality, catching Ben Foster off his line and hitting the crossbar from just outside the centre circle. After the break, Foster was perhaps lucky to escape with just a booking as he raced out of his box and lunged at the onrushing Javier Hernandez. The result moves West Brom into the top half of the table, while the Hammers remain in the bottom three on goal difference.
'A proud moment'
Barry was just 17 when he made his Premier League debut for Aston Villa against Sheffield Wednesday on 2 May 1998. Boyzone's All That I Need topped the charts at the time, while Tony Blair was prime minister. Barry played for Everton and Manchester City between his spells at Villa and West Brom, and Saturday's record-equalling appearance came 19 years and 137 days since his debut. "It's a proud moment for me," said the 36-year-old, who moved to The Hawthorns on a one-year deal in August. Barry, who sent a first-half header wide, told BBC Sport: "It is a huge number. It is lucky I have managed to keep fit throughout the years. It is not until I look back when I hang my boots up that I will realise what a big number it is. "I still remember [his debut] so well, so much has happened since, it has gone quick. "I will stop when I stop enjoying it and I will know when I have had enough and can't keep up with the boys."
Hernandez's struggles
Both teams were lacking in front of goal, with only a tame Michail Antonio shot and a Hal Robson-Kanu header forcing a save from either keeper. Javier Hernandez was almost anonymous until he was involved in the incident with Foster in the 66th minute. He was substituted for the second game in a row. The former Manchester United striker, who has scored two goals this season, touched the ball just once in the Baggies box and did not seem to gel with Andy Carroll, who was the focal point of the Hammers' attack. Another worry for the Londoners will be the fitness of defender James Collins, who limped off in the 58th minute. "He has damaged the ankle ligaments. We will assess him and see how long he will be out," said manager Slaven Bilic.
Man of the match - Jonny Evans
Only a defender could get man of the match in this game. Jonny Evans marshalled his defence well, kept Andy Carroll quiet and has built a solid partnership with Ahmed Hegazi
What they said - 'Take a point and move on'
Baggies boss Tony Pulis: "We only had a couple of clear-cut chances, just two opportunities in the match against a good West Ham side. "But we got a clean sheet and the players gave it everything, we just need a bit more quality in the final third. We take a point and move on."
West Ham 'progress' pleases Bilic
Hammers manager Slaven Bilic: "We played solidly and limited them to one chance. In the second half we played more dominant football. "Two clean sheets in two games is important progress. I am not extremely delighted but there are a lot of positives to build on."
Stats - Baggies love a 0-0 draw
West Ham kept just their second clean sheet in their past 19 away matches in the Premier League.
Only Southampton (13) and Man Utd (12) have recorded more 0-0 draws in the Premier League than West Brom (10) since Tony Pulis took over in January 2015.
West Brom have won just two of their past 14 matches versus West Ham in the Premier League (D9 L3).
West Ham have won just once in their past 11 Premier League away games (W1 D4 L6).
What's next?
Both teams are in EFL Cup action this week. West Brom host Manchester City on Wednesday, while Championship side Bolton travel to West Ham on Tuesday.
The Hammers then host Tottenham in the league on Saturday, while the Baggies are at Arsenal on Monday 25 September.
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WEST BROM 0-0 WEST HAM – MATCH REPORT
AUTHOR: BRIAN KNOX. PUBLISHED: 16 SEPTEMBER 2017 AT 7:28PM
TheWestHamWay.co.uk
Match Report by @WestHamAmerican
West Ham played a scoreless draw today in action against West Brom. Neither team was able to muster much offensive firepower as both teams recorded only a single shot on target. While this was a dull affair to watch for the passive football fan, it did give West Ham a much needed point and was notable as Slaven Bilic's side now have gone back-to-back matches with clean sheets. Given, the poor start to the season, this was of good note. The low point of the match was losing James Collins to injury midway through the match. His status is unknown
West Ham's best action was a Michail Antonio shot from about 20 yards out that Ben Foster had no trouble collecting. Moments later it looked as if Pedro Obiang would have the play of the month as he saw Ben Foster off his line and crushed a strike from 40 yards out that, unfortunately, met the crossbar.
The Baggies single strike at Joe Hart was a Hal Robson-Kanu header that Hart handled without too much difficulty.
The greatest drama of the match came in the 66th minute when Javier Hernandez was challenged just outside the penalty area by Ben Foster, in a tackle that earned Foster a booking. Had there not been other defenders in the vicinity, it is probable that Paul Tierney would have sent the goalkeeper off. Plenty of West Ham supporters voiced their feeling that Foster's challenge did earn a red, but the center ref was content to limit the penalty to a yellow, and West Ham subsequently failed to threaten on the ensuing free kick.
By the five minutes of added time, neither team seemed to have enough creativity in their attack to threaten and take all three points. Fans at the Hawthornes began their exodus as early as the 80 minute mark, and neither group of supporters had much to crow about after the match.
For Bilic he has found some consistency in defending, although James Collins has been a big part of their recent form. He will certainly be out for the near future. Much has been voiced about Chicharito's play at wing, and his lack of chemistry with Andy Carroll, but early in the season and with Carroll only two games into his own season, hopefully the duo can find their stride (before Andy's next injury).
West Ham has a short week before they host Bolton in the third round of the League Cup. That is followed by a visit from Spurs to the London Stadium. After a long spell of games away from home, finally the Hammers can play some football in front of their own fans. Hopefully over the next week Carroll and Hernandez can develop a rhythm together. Possibly the return of Manuel Lanzini can spark some service to those talented attackers.
While today was a frustrating day, West Ham has suffered 9 draws out of 14 matches with West Brom. Playing against Tony Pulis can as challenging as fighting a hill of Texas fire ants, but taking a point at the Hawthornes and living to fight another day, isn't the worst outcome Bilic could have had.
West Brom: Foster, Dawson, Hegazi, Evans, Gibbs, Krychowiak, Barry Brunt, Morrison, Phillips, Rodriguez
Subs: Nyom (85'), Robson-Kanu (72'), Yacob, Rondon, Myhill, McClean (76'), McAuley
West Ham: Hart, Fonte, Reid, Collins, Zabaleta, Koyate, Obiang, Cresswell, Antonio, Carroll, Hernandez
Subs: Adrian, Arnautovic (58'), Sakho (82'), Ayew (76'), Ogbonna, Masuaku, Rice
Referee: Paul Tierney
Attendance: 24,942
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West Brom 0-0 West Ham Utd
KUMB.com
Filed: Saturday, 16th September 2017
By: Staff Writer
West Ham secured their first away point of the campaign - but could really have been celebrating all three. A second successive clean sheet was the foundation for United's first point of the season on their travels at The Hawthorns this afternoon, following reversals at Manchester United, Southampton and Newcastle. And had Pedro Obiang enjoyed a little more luck with a 45-yard first half effort that rebounded off the crossbar, Slaven Bilic's team could have been celebrating a well-deserved win. Such was West Ham's dominance, it took Albion 87 minutes before registering an effort on target. However the Hammers were unable to break the deadlock, depite fielding forwards Andy Carroll, Javier Hernandez, Marco Arnautovic, Michail Antonio, Andre Ayew AND Diafra Sakho during the match. Chiefly responsible for West Ham's inability to find the net were a string of poor deliveries; although the likes of Aaron Cresswell created plenty of space on the flanks, all too often the final delivery was substandard and easily dealt with by West Brom's experienced central defenders. The best chance of the opening half fell to Obiang, who was inches away from opening the scoring when his speculative 45-yard effort caught Foster off his line before crashing back off the crossbar - much to the England 'keeper's relief.
Bar that, the Hammers went closest to scoring through efforts from Joe Fonte - a free heading that narrowly missed the target - and Andy Carroll, who skied a good second-half chance high over the bar. In stark contrast Albion, who have now scored 100 goals in 100 matches under Tony Pulis, were entirely anonymous and failed to threaten Hart's goal seriously all afternoon. And for that reason, a draw today will be considered by many as two points dropped, rather than a point gained. The draw ensures West Ham remain in the relegation zone, with four points from their opening five games.
West Ham Utd: Hart, Fonte, Reid, Collins (Arnautovic 58), Zabaleta, Obiang, Kouyate, Cresswell, Antonio, Chicharito (Ayew 76), Carroll (Sakho 82).
Subs not used: Adrian, Ogbonna, Masuaku, Rice.
Booked: Zabaleta (9), Antonio (90).
West Bromwich Albion: Foster, Hegazi, Evans, Dawson, Gibbs (Nyom 85), Barry, Krychowiak, Phillips (McClean 76), Morrison, Brunt (Robson-Kanu 72), Rodriguez.
Subs not used: Myhill, McAuley, Yacob, Rondon.
Booked: Foster (66), McClean (83).
Referee: Paul Tierney.
Attendance: 24,942.
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West Brom 0-0 West Ham: Visitors held in game of few chances
By Pete Hall
Last Updated: 16/09/17 8:26pm
SSN
West Ham had the better of the action at The Hawthorns but couldn't find a winner as they were held to a 0-0 draw at West Brom. Pedro Obiang's incredible effort from 45 yards cannoned back off the crossbar in a first half that lacked any real quality. Things didn't improve a great deal after the interval, with Ben Foster arguably very fortunate to stay on the pitch for a lunge on Javier Hernandez. Andy Carroll had a few half chances, but nothing that caused Foster any real concern.
The result sees West Ham continue their improvement after a poor start to the season, while West Brom move into the top half of the table. Gareth Barry took the applause before kick-off as he equalled Ryan Giggs' Premier League appearance record against the Hammers, but it was a fresh face in Kieran Gibbs who almost got his West Brom career off to a flyer early on into his first start for the club, but he saw his goalbound effort well blocked. Then, with the quality elsewhere very low in the opening half hour, Obiang attempted an audacious effort from just inside his own half, from 45 yards, which beat Foster in the home goal, but his strike cannoned back off the crossbar. West Brom's best chance of the half came via the head of James Morrison in the 38th minute, but he failed to get to the desired purchase on the ball and it flashed across the face of goal.
The second half saw even less goalmouth action, but the main talking point was just how Foster managed to avoid being sent off for a lunging tackle on Hernandez. The long ball over the top was there to be won, but Hernandez kicked the ball away from the advancing England international before being upended, somewhat rashly, The Hammers bench was incensed. Several opportunities came and went to create that match-winning opening, but the final ball remained poor throughout match. A point was all either side deserved for showing such little endeavour.
Opta stats
Gareth Barry equalled Ryan Giggs' Premier League record of 632 appearances in the competition. Barry also become the first player to start 600 games in the Premier League.
West Ham kept just their second clean sheet in their last 19 away matches in the Premier League.
Only Southampton (13) and Man Utd (12) have recorded more nil-nil draws in the Premier League than West Brom (10) since Tony Pulis' took over in January 2015.
West Brom have won just two of their last 14 matches versus West Ham in the Premier League (D9 L3).
West Ham have won just once in their last 11 Premier League away games (W1 D4 L6)
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic admitted it was not a great game to watch after they drew 0-0 at West Brom but was pleased to limit their opponents to few chances.
West Ham boss Slaven Bilic admitted it was not a great game to watch after they drew 0-0 at West Brom but was pleased to limit their opponents to few chances.
The managers
Tony Pulis: "It was two sides who cancelled each other out. We played different systems and it was a difficult game. We had two really good chances in the first half. Obiang has had that wonderful effort, but it was a game of few chances."
Slaven Bilic: "For me, in the game, it looked like Foster was the last man. But after we have looked and the referee made a good decision, it was a yellow as he was not last man. It wasn't that brutal. Of course sometimes that would be a red, but I can't see the referee has done too much wrong in that situation."
The pundit - Matt Le Tissier
I thought Foster was probably lucky to stay on. If that was a defender, he would have been off. He is two feet off the ground, out of control. Chicharito is going away from goal, so he isn't denying a goalscoring opportunity, but it is just the foul itself. Anywhere else on the pitch and it is a red card. Defensively it was an improvement for West Ham, but West Brom were very poor on the attack. I feel sorry for Jay Rodriguez up front, he was so isolated.
Man of the Match - Michail Antonio
Simply the only player who had a go. He got so exasperated by lack of movement ahead of him that he tried to go it alone too often. His work ethic cannot be questioned, as he never gave up.
What's next?
Manchester City travel to the Midlands to take on West Brom in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, which will be good preparation for an imposing-looking trip to Arsenal for Tony Pulis's men the following Monday.
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West Ham boss Slaven Bilic believes referee right to give Ben Foster yellow in draw at West Brom
Last Updated: 16/09/17 7:57pm
SSN
Slaven Bilic believes after getting a chance to see the incident again that Ben Foster only deserved a yellow card for a foul on Javier Hernandez in West Ham's 0-0 draw at West Brom. In a game of very few chances, the main talking point came in the second half as Foster raced from his line to somewhat recklessly upend Hernandez as he closed in on the area. At the time, the Hammers bench was incensed that referee Paul Tierney only brandished a yellow card for the challenge, but Bilic believes that, with the benefit of hindsight, the referee got the decision correct. "For me, in the game, it looked like Foster was the last man," Bilic told Sky Sports. "But after we have looked and the referee made a good decision, it was a yellow as he was not last man."It wasn't that brutal. Of course sometimes that would be a red, but I can't see the referee has done too much wrong in that situation."
The result sees West Ham continue their improvement after a disappointing start to the season. They have taken four points in a week, to ease the pressure on the Croatian. "It was not an amazing game to watch," Bilic added. "But it was a solid performance from us. "We defended well, we limited them to one chance, we were better on the ball in the second half. We got a point, which is good for us, another clean sheet. "What we are not happy about is our quality in the last third of the pitch because we had many times we were there as they defended deep. We got into dangerous areas but didn't create the chances."
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WEST BROM 0, WEST HAM 0. THANK GOD THAT'S OVER.
By David Hautzig 16 Sep 2017 at 17:13
WTID
100.
When I heard that before the match, I was stunned. But not for the reason one might think. After five years, the natural reaction would be that a century was a low number. But I was actually surprised the number was that high. Whenever Man Bun suits up for us, I think of it as a footballing unicorn. Not to mention the semi controversy that his health and inclusion has caused. While his presence does indeed cause panic attacks in defenders, it also causes Hernandez to play out left and invite the very kind of football that many supporters loathe. Which is precisely what everyone got.
West Ham had the first good chance for either side in the seventh minute when Antonio passed to Zabaleta on the right, who then sent a looping pass to Carroll at the top of the box. But a poor first touch by our number nine saw the ball roll away before Carroll could even attempt a shot. The Hammers earned a corner moments later but the Baggies cleared easily, forcing Zabaleta into a professional foul and a yellow card to stop a West Brom counter.
The home side might look back at the 11th minute and wonder how they didn't take the lead. Brunt completely wrong footed Obiang on the right side of the West Ham penalty area and tried to pass to Gibbs in the box. Reid got a foot on that pass, but only enough to slow the ball down on its journey. It still arrived at Gibbs, but so did Reid to get another foot in and send Gibbs shot out for a corner. The ensuing piece came to Barry, but his header went onto the top netting of the goal.
The other day, Joe Hart gave a bit of a warning to supporters of both sides, and possibly even neutrals who might have considered watching the match. It won't be a contest that will please the purists he said. The middle stretch of the first half made that comment seem tame. Awful deliveries on set pieces by Cresswell, giveaways on seemingly simple passes by center halves on both sides, and sloppy ball handling by all with the possible exception of the ball boys and girls. They were in fine form retrieving the dross on display.
Why do we love….and I mean love….Antonio? The 27th minute put that on display. After receiving the ball from Obiang on the right side of midfield, we went on one of his freight train runs. And then he lost the ball inside the box. And then he won it back. And then he fired it on goal. It was saved rather easily by Foster, but an A+ for effort wouldn't be an overstatement by any means.
Moments later, Obiang tried an ambitious shot from just inside the West Brom half when he saw Foster off his line. The keeper had that look that said he knew this might not end well for him, but the ball skimmed off the cross bar and Foster was saved from embarrassment. Who could have possibly imagined that it would be the closest thing to a goal we saw all day? Other than West Brom supporters, that is.
West Brom wasted a terrific chance in the 38th minute when Phillips beat Fonte down the left and sent a low cross into the box that Morrison got his head to. But maybe he didn't expect it to reach him that quickly because he headed it wide of the goal.
Halftime:
West Brom 0
West Ham 0
The Hammers had an early chance when a Cresswell corner found Fonte in the box. But Fonte didn't find anything but the advertising boards with his header. He made up for it somewhat a minute later with a good tackle on Phillips followed by a pass to Hernandez.
Hernandez. Riiiiight. That striker we signed. Real poacher in the box. Forgot about him.
Ahem.
At the end of the first half, my NBC stream died so I missed the injuries to Collins and Obiang. When Ginge went down in the 57th minute, Tony Gale was kind enough to give me and the other viewers the skinny on the issue. But instead of a like for like substitution with Ogbonna coming on, Arnautovic marked his return from stupidity. Zabaleta was moved to the left so the shape stayed the same. But that's not his natural side, so Bilic left himself open to even more questions.
In the 66th minute, a long ball to Carroll was flicked to the left and both Hernandez and Foster were off to the races. Foster slid out, got the ball and a piece of Hernandez who went flying. Foster saw yellow, which caused Reid to go into a rage that could have ended worse for the West Ham center back than for the man who committed the foul in question. In the end, the decision was correct and West Ham made nothing of the free kick Hernandez won.
When Bilic took off Hernandez for Ayew against Huddersfield, many supporters not only questioned the move but also thought if it backfired it could cost Bilic his job. It ended well on Monday, but I got into a discussion with Sean Whetstone the other day in which Sean wondered if Ayew had earned himself a start. I didn't think so, and on this one rare occasion I got it right. But the same substitution today had to ignite not only a similar question as Monday, but also the very nature of how Hernandez has been used. Then Sakho replaced Carroll, which worried me on a defensive level more than anything, and the last ten minutes had a potential new look.
In the 88th minute, my wife said she was going to make her homemade Mac and Cheese for lunch. The key is her Bechamel Sauce. Panko bread crumbs on top. That was by far the most exciting moment in quite a long time. Trust me.
Full Time
West Brom 0
West Ham 0
I guess considering I predicted a 2-0 loss, I should be satisfied with a point and a second clean sheet. And to a degree I am. But all of the concerns I had after the Newcastle game remain. Other than that, it's probably best to just say I'm glad those two hours are behind us.
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"That went well!" Fans react as Harry Redknapp is sacked as Birmingham boss after six straight defeats
The former West Ham and Spurs boss was given the boot at St Andrews after Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Preston, and sympathy was in short supply on social media
The Mirror
BYMARK JONES
19:45, 16 SEP 2017
Well, that was quite unexpected. Harry Redknapp had been having a poor time of it at Birmingham of late, but there wouldn't have been many who'd have thought he'd be sacked on Saturday night when they woke up on Saturday morning. Then Blues went and lost 3-1 at home to Preston. Redknapp - who signed 14 players in the summer - was left unable to find any answers following the damaging defeat, and on social media there wasn't much sympathy for the former Tottenham boss. Not much at all. Look away now, 'Arry.
Scott @AVFC_Scott
Redknapp joins Blues.
Signs 14 players.
Loses 5 in a row.
Leaves them in a mess.
Top job 'arry
6:50 PM - Sep 16, 2017
BenchWarmers ⚽️ @BeWarmers
Replying to @BeWarmers
Let's have a moments silence for the Birmingham fan who got a tattoo of Redknapp leaning out his car window...that's long enough and 😂😂😂
6:55 PM - Sep 16, 2017
4 4 Replies 42 42 Retweets 97 97 likes
Gary McGurk @garymcgurk
Never nice to see someone lose their job unless it's Harry 'alwight san' Redknapp #transferwindow
7:27 PM - Sep 16, 2017
Replies Retweets likes
Tom Jones @notawelshsinger
Villa win 3-0 away on TV, while Blues sack Redknapp after 6 straight losses. Today is a good day. #UTV
7:27 PM - Sep 16, 2017
Replies Retweets likes
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Sunday, September 17
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