West Brom 0 Fulham 0: Stalemate at The Hawthorns

24 September 2011 17:42
West Brom keeper Ben Foster made up for his blunder in the last home game with a superb double save to rescue a Barclays Premier League point against fellow strugglers Fulham at The Hawthorns.[LNB]Foster had gifted Stoke substitute Ryan Shotton a last-gasp winner but atoned with superb stops in quick succession to keep out Cottagers defender John Arne Riise and substitute Bryan Ruiz.[LNB]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.[LNB] No way through: Neither Fulham or West Brom could break the deadlock at The Hawthrons[LNB] [LNB]MATCH FACTS [LNB]West Brom: Foster, Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Shorey, Dorrans (Morrison 78), Mulumbu, Brunt, Odemwingie, Long, Thomas (Tchoyi 82).Subs not used: Fulop, Dawson, Jones, Cox, Scharner.[LNB]Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Grygera, Hangeland, John Arne Riise, Kasami (Ruiz 74), Sidwell, Murphy (Etuhu 88), Dempsey, Dembele, Orlando Sa. Subs not used: Etheridge, Kelly, Senderos, Gecov, Briggs.[LNB]Booked: Hangeland, Baird, Grygera.[LNB]Attendance: 23,835. [LNB]Referee: Stuart Attwell.[LNB]Click here for the latest Premier League table, fixtures and results[LNB]Peter 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.[LNB]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 Mark Schwarzer.[LNB]Then Youssouf Mulumbu dispossessed Pajtim Kasami 20 yards out and his low drive forced a sprawling save by Schwarzer to his right.[LNB]But it was two rare moments of danger for Fulham who dominated the remainder of the first half.[LNB]Murphy found Orlando Sa in space inside the box but a fine block tackle by Gareth McAuley deflected his shot for a corner.[LNB]Albion had a let-off after 12 minutes when Foster spilled a low shot from Clint Dempsey and the rebound was converted by Kasami - but replays showed he was offside.[LNB]The Albion fans were becoming frustrated at the amount of possession being enjoyed by the visitors who were not being closed down quickly enough.[LNB] Sa clash: Fulham's Orlando Sa is stopped in his tracks by Gareth McAuley[LNB] [LNB] Battle for the ball West Brom's Graham Dorrans is fended off by Moussa Dembele[LNB]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.[LNB]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.[LNB]Albion reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for the second period with Odemwingie pushing upfront alongside Long.[LNB]But initially Fulham still looked the more dangerous and twice went close to going ahead.[LNB]The woodwork came to West Brom's rescue when defender Jonas Olsson inadvertently deflected a volley by Dempsey against his own bar.[LNB] New and old: Martin Jol watches his new Fulham team while former boss Roy Hodgson stands outside the home dug out[LNB] [LNB] Midfield tussle: Fulham's Pajtim Kasami and Jerome Thomas battle for the ball[LNB]Then Dembele found himself unmarked 15 yards out but could not keep his shot down.[LNB]Hangeland became the first player to be booked after bringing down Long and then Grygera was yellow carded for fouling Thomas.[LNB]Albion appealed in vain for a penalty after a challenge on Long by Chris Baird.[LNB]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.[LNB]Baird became the third Fulham player to be booked for hauling down Odemwingie.[LNB] instruction time: Jol gives striker Dembele orders from the touchline [LNB] [LNB] Eyes wide shut: West Brom's McAuley beats Sa to the ball[LNB]Only a superb double save by Foster prevented Ruiz from making an immediate impact.[LNB]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.[LNB]Brunt nearly earned Albion victory in injury-time when his low cross-shot hit the post and Sa fired over at the other end.[LNB] Have patience with Ruiz, Jol urges Fulham fans waiting for ?10m man's first goalBrunt hoping Baggies can kick-start season with first home win against FulhamAll the latest West Bromwich Albion FC news, features and opinionAll the latest Fulham FC news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]

Source: Daily_Mail