Another twist in the race for promotion as West Bromwich Albion drew 0-0 with Fulham in the Championship.
West Bromwich Albion Held by Fulham in Promotion Battle
Goalless Draw at the Hawthorns
It was the away side who started off the stronger inside the first ten minutes. Anthony Knockaert, who signed on a permanent deal last week, struck one from outside the area which deflected just wide.
From the following corner, Michael Hector headed it across the six-yard area, which was cleared away by defender Ahmed Hegazi.
Not long after that, Knockaert put in a pinpoint accurate cross towards Ivan Cavaleiro. He headed it across the face goal and had it not been for Hegazi, would have found Bobby Decordova-Reid to give Fulham the lead.
The Baggies did cause some problems in the first 45. The best of them was when full-back Jay O’Shea’s wayward cross almost beat Fulham keeper Marek Rodak at his near post. It forced the Slovakian to punch it away from a corner.
Aleksander Mitrovic did have a great chance to score right on half time, but his header was cleared off the line by Charlie Austin.
The Baggies replied in the second half with their own attacking play and really should have gone in front. A ball into the box by O’Shea was flicked on by Austin to Grady Diangana. He was clean in on goal, but the stretching leg of Rodak remarkably kept him out.
With 15 minutes to go, a long ball from Hector reached Knockaert, he brought it down and volleyed it on his dangerous left foot. The crossbar, however, denied the Frenchman what would have been the goals of the season contender.
Albion had one more clear-cut chance before the full-time whistle when a Matheus Pereira backheel lay-off found Hal Robson-Kanu. But a well-timed challenge from Harrison Reed prevented the Welsh international having a crack on goal.
An Entertaining Encounter
It was a game that displayed the true qualities of both West Bromwich Albion and Fulham. They showed off their true attacking prowess, and also their ability to hold out when under pressure. It was arguably one of the best goalless draws of the season.
Scott Parker would have been pleased with his side’s performance last night. That draw follows their victories over fellow top-six sides, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff.
Though the result virtually ends Fulham’s automatic promotion hopes, they can go into the play-offs with an array of confidence.
But for the Baggies, it’s more dropped points. The draw means if Brentford beat Preston tonight, the gap would be reduced to a single point.
But there are still positives for Slaven Bilic’s side, they are still on course for promotion to the Premier League and need to win their final two games to secure it.
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