Match ends, West Bromwich Albion 1, West Ham United 2.
West BromWest Bromwich Albion1West HamWest Ham United2
- West Brom end 323-minute league drought
- Albion had not found the net since 1 November
- Nolan and Tomkins strike back for Hammers
- Allardyce's side strengthen grip on fifth spot
West Ham centre-back James Tomkins' first goal in two years sent struggling West Brom to a fourth straight defeat.
Craig Dawson ended Albion's 323-minute Premier League goal drought when he glanced in Graham Dorrans' free-kick.
But Kevin Nolan nodded in to equalise after keeper Ben Foster had pushed out Andy Carroll's overhead kick.
And Tomkins increased the pressure on West Brom boss Alan Irvine by heading in Stewart Downing's corner in first-half stoppage time.
Victory strengthened West Ham's grip on fifth place, and the jubilant fans greeted the final whistle with chants of: "We're going to win the league."
By contrast, West Brom are slipping towards the relegation zone, having managed just one home league win all season.
| Albion's home hurt |
|---|
| West Brom have won only three of their last 21 Premier League home matches - 1-0 victories over Newcastle on 1 January and West Ham on 26 April, and a 4-0 triumph over Burnley on 28 September |
It was another setback for Irvine, who said he was hurt by criticism from Albion's fans after Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal.
The West Brom head coach's decision to recall Victor Anichebe paid early dividends when the former Everton striker won the free-kick that put the home side in front.
After Anichebe was pulled down by Tomkins, Dawson escaped his marker to glance in Dorrans' left-wing delivery from six yards - Albion's first goal in four matches.
But, having wobbled in the opening 15 minutes, West Ham took control and were deservedly in front by half-time.
Kevin Nolan and Cheikhou Kouyate had already been denied by keeper Ben Foster in a goalmouth scramble before the visitors found an equaliser.
Tomkins headed Downing's free-kick across goal, and Carroll met Dawson's clearance with an overhead kick that Foster pushed out, with Nolan nodding in the rebound from two yards.
Albion captain Chris Brunt hobbled off in first-half stoppage time, and as the home side reorganised, Tomkins headed in from Downing's corner to make it 2-1.
| West Brom hit and miss |
|---|
| West Brom managed 23 attempts on goal (including blocked efforts) against West Ham - more than they have managed in any other Premier League game in 2014 |
The home side had the better of the second half, and Dawson should have equalised soon after the break, driving wide from 15 yards.
But West Brom's pressure could not produce an equaliser, despite Anichebe's best efforts.
The striker escaped Winston Reid to fire in an effort from a tight angle that Adrian beat out at the near post, then nearly equalised in the closing minutes with a shot on the turn, but the West Ham keeper blocked with his legs.
West Brom head coach Alan Irvine: "We were very much on the front foot. Then we made a couple of mistakes and everyone got nervous. But I've never known a second half as one-sided as that.
"We'll try to reinforce the positives as much as possible. You can't dwell too long on the negatives, and you can't keep criticising people when they need support to help them."
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce: "It was a tremendous recovery after we went 1-0 down. It was a great, great away win for us.
"If we can have a good Christmas, then we'll have a look at what we can achieve over the second half of the season. I'm hoping we'll get Mark Noble and Alex Song back from injury for the weekend, and that wil give me the selection headache I want."
Line-ups
West Brom
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Foster
- 2Wisdom
- 25Dawson
- 6Lescott
- 4BairdSubstituted forIdeyeat 83'minutes
- 11BruntBooked at 34minsSubstituted forMulumbuat 45+3'minutes
- 8GardnerSubstituted forVarelaat 65'minutes
- 17Dorrans
- 29SessegnonBooked at 70mins
- 18Berahino
- 10Anichebe
Substitutes
- 9Ideye
- 13Myhill
- 16Gamboa
- 21Mulumbu
- 23McAuley
- 27Varela
- 30Samaras
West Ham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Adrián
- 18Jenkinson
- 5TomkinsBooked at 18mins
- 2Reid
- 3Cresswell
- 8Kouyaté
- 4Nolan
- 21AmalfitanoSubstituted forCollinsat 65'minutes
- 10ZárateSubstituted forColeat 78'minutes
- 11Downing
- 9CarrollSubstituted forE Valenciaat 65'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Jarvis
- 17O'Brien
- 19Collins
- 20Demel
- 22Jääskeläinen
- 24Cole
- 31E Valencia
- Referee:
- Mike Jones
- Attendance:
- 23,975
Match Stats
Home TeamWest BromAway TeamWest Ham
- Possession
- Home58%
- Away42%
- Shots
- Home22
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away6
- Corners
- Home7
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away17
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, West Bromwich Albion 1, West Ham United 2.
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Attempt missed. Craig Dawson (West Bromwich Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
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Offside, West Ham United. Carlton Cole tries a through ball, but Enner Valencia is caught offside.
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Corner, West Bromwich Albion. Conceded by Cheikhou Kouyaté.
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Corner, West Bromwich Albion. Conceded by Stewart Downing.
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Brown Ideye (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Winston Reid (West Ham United).
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Foul by Silvestre Varela (West Bromwich Albion).
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Cheikhou Kouyaté (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Offside, West Ham United. Carlton Cole tries a through ball, but Enner Valencia is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
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Attempt saved. Victor Anichebe (West Bromwich Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Graham Dorrans with a cross.
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Stéphane Sessegnon (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Cheikhou Kouyaté (West Ham United).
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Attempt blocked. Kevin Nolan (West Ham United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Substitution
Substitution, West Bromwich Albion. Brown Ideye replaces Chris Baird.
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Foul by Silvestre Varela (West Bromwich Albion).
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Carl Jenkinson (West Ham United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt blocked. Victor Anichebe (West Bromwich Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Graham Dorrans.
