The threat to West Bromwich Albion manager Alan Irvine’s position worsened on Tuesday as West Ham United came from a goal down to win 2-1 and leave their opponents just above the relegation zone with one win in their last eight Premier League games.
West Ham – whose goals came from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins – by contrast are in fifth place in the table having made their best ever start to a Premier League campaign and have lost just once in their last eight league games.
West Brom – whose woeful home form has seen them record just three times in their last 22 games at The Hawthorns – broke the deadlock 10 minutes into the game as Craig Dawson rose to head home Graham Dorrans freekick and become the first player from his side to score in the Premier League in five games.
The hosts – who came into the game having not lost to the Hammers in their last four meetings – dominated the opening quarter-of-an-hour but then the London side began to force their way back into the game.
They were prevented from levelling thanks to Ben Foster’s alertness in goal, first blocking Nolan’s shot and then getting down to save Cheikhou Kouyate’s follow-up effort.
Nolan, though, was not to be denied 10 minutes from the break as the former Newcastle midfielder tucked the ball home after Foster had saved from the scorer’s former Magpies team-mate Andy Carroll.
The visitors had all the momentum and it was no surprise when they took the lead as Tomkins popped up to get on the end of Stewart Downing’s cross and head into the net from close range right on the stroke of half-time.
Dawson, who had been out jumped by Tomkins for the goal, had a great chance to restore the sides to parity early in the second-half.
He was allowed to go forward with the ball and with no one coming to challenge him and a clear sight of goal he let fly only for his shot to go well wide.
Irvine changed things round with about 20 minutes remaining sending on Portuguese international striker Silvestre Varela for his first taste of Premier League action since coming on loan from Porto.
Irvine then resorted with five minutes of normal time left in sending on another striker in the shape of £10million signing Brown Ideye.
However, it was another striker Victor Anichebe who almost grabbed a point shortly after Ideye’s introduction but his shot was brilliantly saved by Adrian.
Follow us on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
