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Premier League
Nov 29, 2015 at 2.05pm UK
 
West Brom logo

1-1

Zarate (17')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Reid (50' og.)

Live Commentary: West Ham United 1-1 West Bromwich Albion - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live coverage of West Bromwich Albion's 1-1 draw with West Ham United at Upton Park.
2

West Bromwich Albion came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with West Ham United in the Premier League this afternoon.

Mauro Zarate handed the home side the lead before the break at Upton Park, curling the ball into the top corner from a free kick.

However, the Baggies leveled early in the second half when Winston Reid deflected a Rickie Lambert strike into the back of the net.

Read how all the action unfolded below.


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Good afternoon! West Ham United will be looking for their first win in four matches when they host West Bromwich Albion at Upton Park this afternoon. Yesterday's results have dropped West Ham to eighth in the standings, while the Baggies sit 13th, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

The team news should be out in the next few minutes. Both teams have players suspended, with James Collins and Mark Noble missing out for the home side, while Chris Brunt is sidelined after picking up his fifth booking at the campaign last time out. West Ham also have a string of injury problems, with Dimitri Payet and Enner Valencia among those currently in the treatment room.

Right then, the team sheet has just been released, so let's take a look at the lineups.

WEST HAM STARTING XI: Adrian, Reid, Cresswell, Kouyate, Zarate, Jenkinson, Obiang, Sakho, Moses, Ogbonna, Lanzini

WEST BROM STARTING XI: Myhill, Olsson, Evans, Yacob, Morrison, McClean, McAuley, Fletcher, Dawson, Sessegnon, Rondon

WEST HAM SUBS: Spiegel, Tomkins, Song, Cullen, Antonio, Carroll, Jelavic

WEST BROM SUBS: Lindegaard, Chester, Garner, McManaman, Berahino, Lambert, Anichebe

So, the home side make three changes to the side that suffered their heaviest defeat of the season last time out, losing 4-1 to Spurs last weekend. Angelo Ogbbonna, Pedro Obiang and Mauro Zarate all come in, while Noble misses out through suspension, leaving James Tomkins and Andy Carroll to drop to the bench.

There's just one change for Tony Pulis's side, as Gareth McAuley, who missed out last time because of suspension, returns in place of Chris Brunt, who is suspended for this match. Saido Berahino, who Pulis has described as "unsettled" after he failed to secure a move away from the club over the summer, remains on the substitutes bench, despite having three goals to his name this season.

West Ham have not won since beating Chelsea 2-1 more than a month ago. The team have slipped to defeats to Watford and Spurs since then, while sharing a draw with Everton. Victory this afternoon would life them back up to sixth in the table though.

Ahead of this match, Slaven Bilic told reporters: "Tony Pulis gets criticised for his brand of football, but he doesn't hide it like others. There are a lot of clubs playing exactly the same way in many parts of the game. In England, they all sit back when opponents have a direct attacking style. He is a great coach and a very honest man."

Meanwhile, Tony Pulis was complimentary of West Ham striker Andy Carroll at his pre-match press conference, so will probably be relieved to see the forward on the bench this afternoon. He said: "They've got good quality wide and if Andy Carroll is fit and up and running. People class him as being one-dimensional, I think he's a very good player. He's got two very good feet, he can bring others in to play, he's intelligent. I really do rate him. I think he's a top player. Play him the right way he'll definitely score lots of goals, and not just from his head."

When the sides met at Upton Park last season, it was on New Year's Day, with the newly-appointed Tony Pulis watching on from the stands as his side secured a 1-1 draw. West Brom have not won at West Ham since 2003 though, when they secured a 4-3 win during a Championship meeting.

This isn't the only Premier League match taking place this afternoon. Norwich host Arsenal later, while Chelsea are currently taking on Tottenham at White Hart Lane. You can follow the final 20 minutes of that fixture here.

With kickoff a little over half an hour away, why not watch the Sports Mole On The Sofa team preview this fixture:

The absence of Dimitri Payet really hurt West Ham last time out. The French international is the team's top scorer in the Premier League so far this season with five goals, and also has three assists in his 12 league appearances. Diafra Sakho has three Premier League goals, as does Cheikhou Kouyate.

Here are the visitors going through their warmup routine ahead of kickoff:


West Brom have three players tied on three goals in the league this season. Salomon Rondon and James Morrison start up front this afternoon, while Berahino is on the bench. The Baggies have one of the worst attacking records in the top flight this season, with only Stoke City having scored fewer goals.

West Ham have been fairly prolific, netting 24 times so far this season - the joint-fourth highest total in the top flight. Defensively they have struggled though, letting in 20 goals and keeping just three clean sheets, none of which have come in their last eight outings.

It's a big day for West Ham captain Winston Reid, who is making his 150th appearance for the club this afternoon. The defender joined the Hammers from Midtjylland in 2010, and penned a six-and-a-half year contract extension earlier this year:


REFEREE WATCH! Martin Atkinson is the referee in charge at Upton Park this afternoon. West Ham have more red cards than any other side in the top flight so far this season, but Atkinson's appointment bodes well for them, as he's yet to sent a player off this season in 17 games. He's also dealt with both of these teams this season, overseeing West Ham's 2-0 win over Arsenal on the opening weekend, while also officiating West Brom's wins over Sunderland and Aston Villa.

PREDICTION! The players will be heading out of the tunnel shortly, so there's just time for a quick prediction. West Ham don't come into this match in the best form, but they have a strong head-to-head record against West Brom in recent years, and their strong goal-scoring record this season should give them the edge, so I'm going for a 2-1 home win.

Although West Ham probably start as narrow favourites this afternoon, West Brom's recent form away from home has been impressive:


The players are starting to gather in the tunnel ready for kickoff. It's a packed Upton Park this afternoon, with West Brom having sold out their away allocation. It should be a brilliant atmosphere for kickoff.

The two teams make their way out of the tunnel. It's pretty overcast and chilly in West Ham this afternoon, but the rain has stayed away for the time being.

This was the players' view as they make their way out a few moments ago:


KICKOFF! West Brom get the action underway.

Jonas Olsson tries to delivery a long ball forward for Salomon Rondon as the visitors look to make a bright start, but the defender is a bit too enthusiastic, and his pass goes straight through to Adrian.

The Baggies have been enjoying the majority of the possession so far, with Rondon involved gain, this time making a run down the right before trying to put a cross in for James Morrison, but the home side deal with it quickly. Pulis will be happy with the intent shown by his side in the opening stages of this fixture though.

Sessegnon tries to create something for the visitors, flicking the ball forward for Craig Dawson, who in turn look for Morrison, but the ball ends up going out for a West Ham throw in. The home side try to make the most of it, launching it forward for Sakho, but the ball goes straight over his head and through to Boaz Myhill. Neither goalkeeper has had too much to worry about so far.

CHANCE! West Ham are starting to show a bit more urgency getting forward as Cresswell brings the ball out from the back before Kouyate tries to pick out Sakho with a through-ball. West Brom clear the danger, but Sakho soon wins the ball back before squaring it to Lanzini. The winger can't get his shot away, but spots the run of Mauro Zarate to his left, but his shot ends up in the side netting.

CHANCE! West Brom win a free kick, which McAuley takes, launching it deep through the middle towards Rondon, but the striker can't control it in the air, leaving Adrian to claim it. The visitors win it back almost straight away though, with Darren Fletcher slotting the ball in between two defenders for Rondon, who unleashes a swerving effort from just outside the box. It looks like he has Adrian beaten, but it just moves away from the post to go behind for a goal kick. All of Rondon's goals in the Premier League have come from headers so far, but that was a superb strike.

West Ham quickly press back down the other end, with Zarate putting a high ball in for Kouyate, who heads it down into the path of Sakho, but he can't get his head to it in time. It's been a pretty open and entertaining first 15 minutes, with both sides having one decent opportunity to open the scoring.

GOAL! West Ham United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion (Mauro Zarate)

Mauro Zarate produces a flawless free kick to open the scoring, curling the ball into the top left corner from 20 yards out. The home side were awarded the set piece as Sakho was held by McAuley just outside the penalty area, leaving Zarate to perfectly whip the ball in. Myhill almost got his fingertips to it, but there wasn't a lot the West Brom keeper could have done to keep that out.

BOOKING! Jonas Olsson picks up a yellow card in the aftermath of Zarate's goal, seemingly for something he's said to the referee.

West Ham force another free kick, this time at a tighter angle than the one that resulted in the opening goal. Lanzini lines it up, crossing it into the box towards Sakho, but Myhill is quickly off his line to claim it.

West Ham are playing with a lot more confidence since taking the lead, with Obiang and Jenkinson working together on the right before Moses beats two defenders, eventually losing out to Jonny Evans near the corner flag.

CHANCE! West Ham almost double their lead as Cresswell spots Kouyate make a run from midfield, floating the ball in from the left for the midfielder, who glances his header just wide.

CHANCE! Boaz Myhill is forced to make a save as Manuel Lanzini is left in space just outside the penalty area, leaving him to line up a 25-yard strike. He hits it nicely, but the keeper just does enough to parry it clear.

Moses shows brilliant pace to get the better of Yacob on the right, before attempting a one-two with Sakho. The striker is sent tumbling under pressure from Evans while trying to play the ball back in for Moses, but the referee isn't convinced by his appeal for a free kick.

CHANCE! Myhill is really being put through his paces by Lanzini at the moment as the Argentine is picked out by Zarate with a squared ball in from the right, which he hits first time, but Myhill makes a diving save to deny him.

Lanzini is all over the place for West Ham as he shows his pace down the left, beating Dawson before attempting to cross the ball into the penalty area, but the Baggies are able to clear the threat.

After a rather frantic period, West Brom are trying to take the tempo down a little, holding the ball up in midfield. Evans wins a free kick, but he and Olsson keep it at the back rather than looking to get forward as the visitors seem happy just to have the ball at the moment.

West Brom do eventually manage to get the ball to the edge of the West Ham box, but Zarate is back to held out in defence, forcing Rondon to put the ball behind for a goal kick. Adrian has claimed a couple of balls into the box so far, but hasn't had to make a save for the home side this afternoon.

West Brom are having to defend again as the home side force the first corner of the match as Jenkinson's ball into the box is turned behind. Zarate whips it back in, but it's the visitors who get to it first.

Speaking of Zarate, this was the moment he opened the scoring for the home side. He really couldn't have placed that free kick any better.
West Bromwich Albion's US-born Welsh goalkeeper Boaz Myhill dives but cannot reach the freekick from West Ham United's Argentinian striker Mauro Zarate (not pictured) as West Ham score the first goal of the English Premier League football match between We© Getty Images

West Ham win the ball back in midfield, with Lanzini trying to press forward for the hosts, but he loses out to McAuley. The Hammers don't take long to win it back, but Sakho loses out this time. West Brom are having to work hard to keep their opponents out in the final minutes of the first half.

CHANCE! A low cross in from the left falls nicely for Sakho, but Evans gets an outstretched leg to it, turning the ball behind for a corner, which West Brom quickly clear.

CHANCE! Victor Moses finds himself clean through on goal as Kouyate flicks the ball forward for the on-loan Chelsea man, but he mis-hits the finish, slicing it well high of the crossbar.

With just a minute of stoppage time to come, Zarate is working hard to try to set up another chance for the hosts, but he can't work his way past Dawson, and the ball goes out for a goal kick.

HALF TIME: West Ham United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

So, it's just Mauro Zarate's free kick that separates the two sides at half time, but what a free kick it was! It's been the Zarate and Lanzini show so far, with the duo both creating a string of chances to extend the home side's lead further. West Brom's opportunities have been limited, but they have defended well to prevent the Hammers increasing their lead further.

West Ham are certainly good value for their lead. The home side had 61% of the possession in the opening 45 minutes, and creating eight shots to West Brom's two. Three of Slaven Bilic's side's shots were on target, while the Baggies are yet to force Adrian to make a save.

The goal is Zarate's fifth of the campaign and third in the league this season. His last came in the 2-1 win over Chelsea last month.
Mauro Zarate of West Ham United celebrates as he scores their first goal from a free kick during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion at Boleyn Ground on November 29, 2015 in London, England.© Getty Images

Tony Pulis has a number of options on the bench, including Saido Berahino, who has scored in four of his five previous appearances against West Ham. Rickie Lambert, Victor Anichebe and Callum McManaman would all be keen for a chance to prove themselves too, having had limited involvement so far in this campaign.

As things stand, this scoreline would put West Ham up to sixth in the table, just a point behind fifth-placed Spurs. West Brom would stay 13th.

RESTART! West Ham get the action back underway at Upton Park.

SUB! West Brom have made a change over half time, with Rickie Lambert taking the place of Stephane Sessegnon.

Lanzini starts where he left off in the first half, beating Yacob on the flank before sprinting inside. He passes to Moses, who loses his footing while trying to get his shot away, but he keeps the ball alive, with Kouyate and Jenkinson forward in support, but West Brom do just enough to get the ball away.

GOAL! West Ham United 1-1 West Bromwich Albion (Rickie Lambert)

Rickie Lambert is celebrating, but whether or not he'll get to keep the goal is debatable. The substitute slices his shot from the edge of the box, and it takes a wicked deflection off the arm of Winston Reid, wrongfooting Adrian and gifting the visitors an equaliser. For now it's been awarded to Lambert, but it wouldn't be a surprise if that ends up going down as a Winston Reid OG.

West Brom have looked a lot sharper since getting back on level terms, but Rondon loses the ball in midfield, leaving Kouyate to make a run towards the Baggies goal, and he gets a free kick when he's tripped by McClean.

Zarate is on free kick duty again, but he tries to set up one of his teammates rather going for goal again, and his delivery is cleared by the visitors. Sakho tries to get it back for the hosts, but he's penalised for a shove on Evans near the corner flag.

Ogbonna is furious as he's penalised for grabbing Rickie Lambert's shirt. The West Ham man argues that he was being held as well, but Martin Atkinson gives the visitors the free kick in a dangerous position. West Ham just haven't been the same side that they were in the first half since the restart.

CHANCE! Lambert takes the free kick, and manages to squeeze it through a gap in the wall, but Adrian dives to his left to tip it around the post.

CHANCE! Adrian didn't have a shot to save in the first half, but he's making up for it now as Fletcher crosses the ball in to Rondon, who has space to get his header away, but Adrian leaps to block it with his body. Rondon could probably have done better with the header, but it was a good effort from the West Ham stopper.

SUB! The home side are making a change, and it's one that's got the crowd quite excited as Andy Carroll is coming on for Pedro Obiang.

Lambert's introduction at half time has really made a difference to this West Brom side. His involvement seems to have freed Rondon up more, and he's getting himself into some decent positions. Not to mention he was responsible for the equaliser. He hasn't featured all that often since completing his move from Liverpool over the summer, but the effect he's had since coming on for the visitors should give Pulis something to think about.

Having been kept quiet for the last 15 minutes or so, Lanzini is starting to make his presence felt on the left again as he makes a blistering run forward before working the ball across the pitch towards Moses. Yacob gets in front of the midfielder though, winning the ball back for the visiting side.

CHANCE! West Brom give away the ball just outside West Ham's penalty area, and Moses takes it all the way to the opposite box before sliding it through to Sakho. The striker has only the keeper to beat, but manages to scuff the shot wide. It gets worse for the hosts though, as it looks like he's injured himself in the process, as he's clutching his thigh.

SUB! Sakho gingerly makes his way to the sideline, with Nikica Jelavic coming on in his place.

CHANCE! West Ham have a corner, which falls to Zarate on the edge of the box, but his effort was always rising, and ends up comfortable clearing the crossbar. Meanwhile, Sakho has headed straight down the tunnel, aided by a member of the West Ham medical team all the way. That could be his last involvement for some time.

Both sides are pushing for the winner as the match heads into the final 15 minutes. Cresswell makes a run forward for the home side, but his cross in towards Zarate is poor. The visitors immediately make their way back down the other end, but Jenkinson clears Fletcher's delivery.

West Ham charge back towards the visitors' goal, with Moses bringing the ball out from the back before trying to find Jelavic, but the Croatian catches McAuley late, giving West Brom a free kick. This could still go either way!

BOOKING! Claudio Yacob clatters into Mauro Zarate, giving away a free kick in a dangerous position and picking up a booking, which means he'll be suspended for their next match.

SUB! The West Ham goal-scorer is heading off, with Michail Antonio coming on in his place.

Andy Carroll, who hasn't done much since coming off the bench, tries to get a shot away from the free kick, but his shot is blocked by Evans. Moses soon gets it back for the home side, battling down the left before trying to cut it back into the box, but West Brom have numbers back to deal with it.

There's a worrying moment for the home side as a Carl Jenkinson backpass almost catches Adrian out, but the keeper just does enough to get it under control. West Brom are soon pressing forward again though, looking for the elusive winner, but Dawson is crowded out while trying to cross in from the left.

CHANCE! Antonio manages to get a cross past Fletcher, before Jenkinson launches a long throw into the box. It eventually falls to Moses, who hits it left-footed on the volley towards the bottom right corner, but it's just wide.

There are four minutes of stoppage time to be played at Upton Park.

CHANCE! Lambert lifts the ball over the top for McClean, who times his run into the box well, but he can't get enough on it to turn it past Adrian.

Antonio has been lively since coming off the bench for West Ham, and he's involved again, weaving around on the right before passing inside to Lanzini, who is brought down by Yacob, giving the hosts a free kick in a dangerous position. This could be their last chance to secure a win.

CHANCE! Cresswell takes it, getting it up and over the wall, but Myhill watches it all the way and parries it at the left post.

FULL TIME: West Ham United 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

So, Rickie Lambert's deflected strike cancels out the first-half free kick from Mauro Zarate, ensuring that West Brom come away with a point from Upton Park, and leaving West Ham without a win in their last four matches in the Premier League.

The result leave West Ham seventh in the table, while West Brom stay 13th, eight points clear of the relegation zone.

That's all from this match, but stick around as there are still two more Premier League matches to come this afternoon, with Liverpool hosting Swansea and Norwich taking on Arsenal shortly. You can find live coverage from both of those games on our fixtures page. Thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.

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Slaven Bilic manager of West Ham United looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between West Ham United and Norwich City at the Boleyn Ground on September 26, 2015
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