West Bromwich Albion 1 (0) Fulham 0 (0)
Happy faces at the Hawthorns as West Brom completed their first victory and picked up their first points since returning to the top flight in a gutsy, enterprising display that marked the return of Lee Hughes, one of their favourite sons.
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Fulham midfielder Sean Davis
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No fatted calf to celebrate the return of prodigal son Hughes, although a lamb korma might be more appropriate for the curry enthusiast, but West Brom's fans gave their former striker a rousing reception on his second coming. It was not difficult to see why. Hughes, re-signed for £2.5 million barely a year after joining Coventry for double that fee, was a huge hit here in his previous period, scoring a bagful of goals. He showed enough in the opening period to suggest he will be just as much a threat in the Premiership, if not quite as prolific.
West Brom took the game to their visitors from the start and were unlucky not to be ahead by half-time. Hughes looked sharp and hungry, and barely a minute had passed before he knocked down a deep cross into the path of Lee Marshall, only to see the midfielder shoot high over the bar.
Hughes then headed wide of the far post, and moments later went close to scoring when he met Igor Balis' low cross with a sweeping first-time shot from the edge of the area that was deflected narrowly wide of the far post for a corner. In the 20th minute Hughes linked well with the equally lively Jason Roberts, his former partner in crime, and got into a good position but shot straight at Edwin van der Sar in the Fulham goal.
Five minute later West Brom's supporters were incensed when Roberts appeared to be pulled to the ground as he ran in on goal by Andy Melville. Referee Rob Styles not only refused to give a foul, but took no action against the defender, booking Hughes instead for protesting. And when Facundo Sava, Fulham's Argentine striker, escaped unpunished for an elbow that cut the head of home defender Darren Moore, the crowd really turned on Mr Styles, with chants asking whether he enjoyed an intimate relationship with Fulham's chairman.
As tempers and the temperature rose, Fulham gradually clawed their way back into the game, finally managing a shot on goal before half-time when Sean Davis struck a firm free-kick straight into the arms of Russell Hoult in the West Brom goal.
West Brom finally got the goal they deserved three minutes into the second half. Moore met Neil Clement's corner kick with a powerful header at the far post, and although Van der Sar blocked his first effort, the defender thundered in another header that flew in the net off the goalkeeper's foot.
| Match Stats |
WBA |
Fulham |
| Goal attempts |
13 |
10 |
| On Target |
7 |
2 |
| Fouls |
17 |
18 |
| Corners |
5 |
7 |
| Off-side |
2 |
0 |
| Yellows |
4 |
4 |
| Reds |
0 |
0 |
| source: www.sportinglife.com |
They should have had more. Roberts showed great skill to lose Sylvain Legwinski on the byline and cut the ball back for Andy Johnson, who somehow shot over the bar from barely six yards out. Roberts then went past two defenders before shooting straight at Van der Sar, before Hughes was replaced to a standing ovation in the 77th minute.
West Brom had to survive a final flurry from Fulham, which came far too late to save the Londoners, and the home side tried to finishwith a flourish of their own when Bob Taylor almost lobbed Van der Sar from the halfway line, the Dutchman just tipping the ball over the bar.
West Brom:
Hoult, Moore, Gilchrist, Wallwork, Balis, Clement, Johnson, Gregan, Marshall (Koumas 52), Roberts (James Chambers 88), Hughes (Taylor 77).
Subs Not Used: Jensen, Dichio.
Booked: Hughes, Moore, Wallwork, Johnson.
Goals: Moore 48.
Fulham:
Van der Sar, Finnan, Brevett, Melville (Malbranque 59), Goma, Inamoto (Knight 60), Boa Morte, Legwinski, Davis, Sava (Saha 60), Marlet.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Hayles.
Booked: Boa Morte, Davis, Finnan.
Att: 25,461
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).