Baggies in Fulham stalemate

Premier League strugglers West Brom and Fulham played out a goalless draw at the Hawthorns.

Both sides hit woodwork but cannot find breakthrough

Premier League strugglers West Brom and Fulham played out a turgid goalless draw at the Hawthorns. The only talking point of the first half came after 13 minutes when Pajtim Kasami stroked the ball home after Ben Foster fumbled Clint Dempsey's shot, but the effort was correctly ruled out for offside. Clint Dempsey hit the post with a deflected volley early in the second period before Peter Odemwingie could only fire straight at Mark Schwarzer when clean through just after the hour. Substitute Bryan Ruiz missed a glorious chance to win the game late on when Foster could only parry John Arne Riise's free-kick but the Costa Rica international could only poke the rebound off the post - with replays showing Foster managed to get a fingertip onto the ball. Chris Brunt hit the woodwork with an effort from the edge of the box in stoppage time but in the end both sides had to settle for a point. The visitors, still without a league win this season, dominated the first period with skipper Danny Murphy dictating play but Albion posed more of a threat in the second period. Odemwingie posed more of a threat for the Baggies when pushed upfront for the second 45 minutes but Fulham held firm with centre-back Brede Hangeland marshalling his defence well.

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West Brom were the first to threaten with skipper Chris Brunt getting on the end of a Nicky Shorey cross but his powerful header was directed straight at Schwarzer. Then Youssouf Mulumbu dispossessed Kasami 20 yards out and his low drive forced a sprawling save by Schwarzer to his right. But it was two rare moments of danger for Fulham who dominated the remainder of the first half. Murphy found Orlando Sa in space inside the box but a fine block tackle by Gareth McAuley deflected his shot for a corner. Albion had a let-off after 12 minutes when Foster spilled a low shot from Dempsey and the rebound was converted by Kasami - but replays showed he was offside. The Albion fans were becoming frustrated at the amount of possession being enjoyed by the visitors who were not being closed down quickly enough. Striker Shane Long was too isolated upfront for West Brom in a 4-5-1 formation and lack of support meant him attempting a shot from a narrow angle which flew harmlessly over the bar. Martin Jol's side were increasingly looking the more likely to break the deadlock with McAuley blocking a Sa attempt on the edge of the box and Foster clinging onto a Dempsey header. Albion reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for the second period with Odemwingie pushing upfront alongside Long. But initially Fulham still looked the more dangerous and twice went close to going ahead. The woodwork came to West Brom's rescue when defender Jonas Olsson inadvertently deflected a volley by Dempsey against his own bar. Then Dembele found himself unmarked 15 yards out but could not keep his shot down. Hangeland became the first player to be booked after bringing down Long and then Grygera was yellow carded for fouling Thomas. Albion then appealed in vain for a penalty after a challenge on Long by Chris Baird. Odemwingie had a great chance to put Albion in front after 64 minutes when he ran on to a through ball from Mulumbu but he shot straight at Schwarzer. Only a superb double save by Foster prevented sub Ruiz from making an immediate impact. The former Manchester United keeper blocked a fiercely driven free-kick by Riise with Foster then up quickly to turn the follow-up effort from Ruiz onto a post from two yards out. Brunt nearly earned Albion victory in injury-time when his low cross-shot hit the post and Sa fired over at the other end.

West Bromwich Albion	Team Statistics	Fulham
0	Goals	0
0	1st Half Goals	0
3	Shots on Target	5
3	Shots off Target	9
3	Blocked Shots	4
1	Corners	1
6	Fouls	15
6	Offsides	2
0	Yellow Cards	3
0	Red Cards	0
81.5	Passing Success	86.2
29	Tackles	24
69	Tackles Success	66.7
43.2	Possession	56.8
49.7	Territorial Advantage	50.3