West Bromwich Albion 1 - West Ham United 2

By Stuart Kidson
February 24 2003

Following Wednesday's defeat at the hands of Fulham, the Baggies faced fellow relegation candidates West Ham in front of a packed Hawthorns. Defeat for either team could have drastic effects on their status amongst the games elite for the 2003/2004 season.

West Bromwich Albion v West Ham
Sunday 23rd February 2003

Following Wednesday's defeat at the hands of Fulham, the Baggies faced fellow relegation candidates West Ham in front of a packed Hawthorns. Defeat for either team could have drastic effects on their status amongst the games elite for the 2003/2004 season. It was a game where no quarter was asked or given. Battling Baggies versus West Ham Warriors. It was a fight to the death for the ultimate prize, 3 points towards Premiership survival.

Unfortunately for Baggies everywhere, the East End side came away from the fixture victorious despite being outplayed throughout the game by a battling Albion side. Two goals from Trevor Sinclair gave the visitors an undeserved rare away win for the Hammers, who have now moved above the Baggies at the bottom of the table 5 points adrift of the safety places.

Both sides knew the importance of the game and it was played accordingly amid a backdrop of noise from the home crowd. Yet again Gary Megson called for the atmosphere created by 26,000 Baggies faithful and yet again he was not let down. However despite this 'cauldron of noise' both sides were a little nervous in the opening minutes.

The Baggies struck first when in the seventh minute Darren Moore rose to meet a Jason Koumas free kick. His powerful downward header had David James beat, but rebounded off the upright straight to Glen Johnson who cleared the West Ham lines. Albion enjoyed lots of possession during this period but struggled to break the dogged resistance of the Hammers defence. Lee Hughes being constantly ruled offside as he looked for a way round the back.

West Ham's first real effort on the Baggies goal came in a similar manner to Albion's when veteran striker Les Ferdinand headed just wide from a Paulo Di Canio free kick. But it was the Baggies who had the better chances. Koumas curling a 20-yard free kick just over the crossbar.

Albion fans have now become accustomed to poor decisions by officials and referee Mr. Mike Dean, can now be added to the ever increasing Hall of Shame at the Hawthorns. Ife Udeze, who replaced Neil Clement in the starting line up, beat two defenders and exchanged a short one-two with Danny Dichio. His shot slipped underneath the diving James and settled in the back of the Smethwick End goal. Celebrations were short lived however, as the goal was ruled offside. The game was being shown live on Premiership Plus by Sky TV and even their studio pundits were left bewildered by the decision, going as far as labelling it atrocious.

Lee Bowyer had a shot on goal cleared off the line by Phil Gilchrist after he had picked up the ball from Steve Lomas. Trevor Sinclair then produced the miss of the season at the Hawthorns when he managed to hit the crossbar from 7-yards out. Russell Hoult fumbled a Michael Carrick shot and it was Sinclair, being watched by Sven Goran Eriksson, who reacted first. His powerful downward shot bounced onto the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

Ronnie Wallwork was enjoying his role in midfield and his persistence throughout the first half was nearly rewarded with his first goal for the Baggies. His shot from the edge of the box bought out a fine sprawling save from James.

West Ham went ahead in the last minutes of the first half thanks to a fierce Sinclair volley from an impossible angle. He controlled a Lomas centre about 15-yards from goal, turned and hit a crackerjack shot past Darren Moore and Hoult into the Brummie Road goal.

The second half saw the ineffective Di Canio replaced by Jermaine Defoe, much to the disgust of the fiery Italian. Manager Glenn Roeder went to offer his hand to the striker but was firmly made aware of the feelings of the former Celtic man.

Danny Dichio became the first Albion striker to find the net in nine Premiership games when he headed past a diving James in the 51st minute. The Hawthorns erupted into a frenzy as the crowd really got behind the boys in blue and white. Lee Hughes almost gave the Baggies a two goal lead 60 seconds later. The Ginger Ninja controlled Dichio's flick on inside the box and his turn and snap shot flew straight towards goal. However, England keeper James found a World class save from his repertoire to deny the striker his first Premiership goal.

Hughes was again involved with the Baggies second disallowed goal when he squared the ball to Dichio who slotted home. Again there were raised eyebrows about the decision by referee Dean. Alarmingly for West Ham fans was the incident following the goal. James and defender Thomas Repka had to be kept apart by team mates as they squared up to each other in the goalmouth.

Albion continued to press forward and for long periods had West Ham pinned inside their own half of the pitch. The odd occasion that the Hammers did break out the mercurial forward Defoe was ruled to be offside. However, against the run of play, the Irons found themselves in front again when Sinclair grabbed his second of the game. Ferdinand had hit the crossbar after a Defoe knock across goal, but it was Sinclair who reacted first to head the ball home much to the delight of the travelling support.

Albion did not let their heads drop as they did at Loftus Road on Wednesday and continued to battle to earn something. Hughes was again unlucky in front of goal after his first time strike bought out another top drawer save from James. Scott Dobie, on for Derek McInnes, made the most of an error by the Hammers defence and had a clear run on goal. His weak shot was fired straight at the Irons keeper.

Hughes again came close after riding an Ian Pearce tackle to find himself one-on-one with James but yet again the keeper won the battle between these two athletes. Despite continued pressure from the home side the Hammers managed to run down the clock and take the three points back to Upton Park.

Next up for the Baggies is Southampton at St. Mary's and then Chelsea at home. No wonder many fans left the ground feeling the Albion had thrown it away again.

Man of the Match Danny Dichio

Team: Russell Hoult, Sean Gregan ( Capt. ), Darren Moore, Phil Gilchrist, Adam Chambers, Derek McInnes ( 74 ), Ronnie Wallwork ( 74 ), Jason Koumas, Ifeyani Udeze, Danny Dichio, Lee Hughes

Subs: Joe Murphy, Neil Clement. Larus Sigurdsson ( 74 ), Scott Dobie ( 74 ), Des Lyttle