West Bromwich Albion hosted Fulham at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon with both teams looking to pick up points in their respective battles to avoid relegation.
Felix Magath made an impressive start to his Fulham career as his new side took the lead in the first half thanks to a low strike from Ashkan Dejagah.
However, the visitors were denied all three points when Matej Vydra struck a shot underneath Maarten Stekelenburg in the 86th minute to secure a 1-1 draw for his side.
Read below to find out how the events unfolded on Saturday afternoon.
Good afternoon everyone. Felix Magath makes his managerial debut in the Premier League as his struggling Fulham side take on West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League. I'll be taking you through the action as these two sides go in search of points in their battle to avoid relegation.
Rene Meulensteen wasn't given the opportunity to take Fulham to the end of the season. The club are now on their third manager of the season. Some people have questioned the appointment of Magath, who could silence some doubters with a big win today.
Baggies boss Pepe Mel is under pressure, too. They're currently 17th and good find themselves in the bottom three by end of play this afternoon. At this stage of the season, it's vital that West Brom regain form.
WEST BROM: Foster, Jones, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell, Mulumbu, Morrison, Brunt, Amalfitano, Berahino, Bifouma
SUBSTITUTES: Myhill, Dawson, Anichebe, Dorrans, Sinclair, Vydra, Gera
FULHAM: Stekelenburg, Riether, Hangeland, Heitinga, Amorebieta, Dejagah, Parker, Sidwell, Richardson, Holtby, Rodallega
SUBSTITUTES: Stockdale, Riise, Kvist, Kasami, Mitroglou, Burn, Tanković
Steven Reid and Claudio Yacob both miss out for West Brom as Billy Jones and Morgan Malfitano return to the starting lineup. Sill no Nicolas Anelka for the Baggies but they do have Victor Anichebe, Scott Sinclair and Matej Vydra as options on the bench.
Magath elects to choose Hugo Rodallega to lead the line for the visitors this afternoon, with Lewis Holtby providing support for the forward. Kostas Mitroglou is named on the bench, while Kieran Richardson looks set to play on the left wing.
It's going to be said over and over again today, but this game really is a huge 90 minutes of the season for both West Brom and Fulham. The Cottagers are currently four points away from safety and they certainly cannot afford to lose any more ground on their rivals.
West Brom haven't won since New Year's Day. It's been a terrible start to life in English football for Pepe Mel, who recently promised to keep the Baggies in the Premier League. On current form, there may not be many people who will back the Spaniard to deliver.
Plenty of other team news filtering through in the Premier League. It's a huge afternoon at the top and bottom of the table. We'll be bringing you live text coverage of all of games in the top-flight today.
We're yet to hear the reason for Anelka's absence today. The Frenchman was expected to return to the squad today but he continues to watch on from the sidelines, with his injury problems presumably still a concern. His unavailability could be extended if he is found guilty of making an anti-semitic gesture next week.
A boost for you Fulham supporters out there ahead of today's game. The Londoners have not lost any of their previous six games against the opposition in the Premier League. Is that a good sign? Magath will be desperate for that run to continue today.
Could Kostas Mitroglou be the key man for Fulham in the run-in? The record-signing arrived at the club with a big reputation following the success he achieved for Olympiakos. He has been frustrated by a knee injury but a place on the bench means he could be set for his debut. The striker looks like he should relish playing in the Premier League but he'll have to hit the ground running.
If there's one team in worse form than West Brom, it's Fulham. Magath's side are bottom of the form table, while the Baggies are just one place above them. How many times will people call this a six-point game? It's a terrible cliche, mainly because it just doesn't make sense. Ah well, we've apparently got one ahead of us this afternoon.
West Brom have drawn 12 of their 26 league games this season, a Premier League record. I'm sure the club's supporters will feel that a draw isn't enough today. The Baggies simply have to beat their relegation rivals at The Hawthorns. A draw against Chelsea last time out should still be in the team's memory.
Magath told reporters earlier this week: "I see a lot of games and have played against English clubs. As a manager I have always met English teams. I don't know as much about the players as [people in England] but I think I know enough about the Premier League to succeed." Magath is confident, but he'll only be judged on results.
PREDICTION: It's time to have a guess at what the score will be this afternoon. Both teams are in desperate need of a victory and I can see it being a tight, nervy contest. However, I'm backing West Brom to win 2-1.
Just one final reminder that you can follow live text coverage of all of today's Premier League games by clicking on the fixture in the scores box. One result is already in, with Chelsea earning a 1-0 win over West Brom thanks to a late winner from John Terry.
15 minutes until the action gets underway at The Hawthorns. The cliches keep on coming but you've got to feel that the first goal will be a big one this afternoon. Both sides are lacking confidence but an early goal would provide a big boost.
Mr Magath is wearing a pair of the most ridiculous glasses you will ever see this afternoon. That's your spectacles update for this afternoon. It's fair to say that his appointment has been met with mixed reviews. A couple of victories and the supporters will quickly be on his side.
Rodallega starts this afternoon. He'll know his time in the side could be limited if Mitroglou quickly finds form. The former Wigan forward has only started one game in the current campaign. How did that finish? A 6-0 defeat to Hull City. Not a great omen.
The players are just gathering in the tunnel and the ground is beginning to fill up nicely. It's a massive afternoon and there promises to be a great atmosphere inside The Hawthorns.
Big reception from both sets of supporters as the players emerge from the tunnel. We're going to have a minute's applause prior to kickoff as a tribute to Sir Tom Finney.
Here we go then. Fulham will get the game underway.
CHANCE! Fulham should be ahead. Holtby's cross is cleared back to him and he picks out Heitinga, who somehow manages to head over from six yards. It's a great opportunity wasted for Fulham.
The Baggies are starting to find their feet now as Berahino threatens with a tricky run before drilling the ball across the face of the six yards box. Lovely play from the young forward.
It's been a surprising start to this game. I was expecting a cagey start but both of these sides are attempting to get on the front and take control early on.
SHOT! Holtby is looking lively early on for the visitors and he threatens again by linking with Rodallega on the edge of the box before dragging a shot wide of the post.
Magath has clearly urged his team to be as positive as possible in the early stages of this game. West Brom aren't sitting back either but it's the away side who look better in possession.
Holtby collects the ball in a pocket of space once again and attempts to pick out Sidwell but Olsson steps in at the crucial moment to make a vital interception.
West Brom are trying to use Berahino as often as they can today but we haven't seen much of Bifouma, who has looked slightly isolated. The Baggies need to commit more men forward when they do go on the attack.
West Brom work the ball nicely to find Berahino in the corner of the box but he lacks composure as he fires a wild effort into the stands behind the goal. The less said about that shot, the better.
The fluent football has been broken up in the past couple of minutes, with both sides committing regular fouls as they look to win the battle in midfield.
Ridgewell kills the threat from Fulham when he comes across the box to Dejagah, who was gifted far too much space on the left wing as he looked to venture into the box.
Lovely cross from Dejagah into the box towards Rodallega, who looks set to head in from close range, but Olsson responds superbly to make a superb clearance under big pressure. Excellent defending.
Magath will be very impressed with what he's seen so far this afternoon. Fulham are playing some very nice football, but they'll want to score while they're edging things at The Hawthorns.
CHANCE! Dejagah collects the ball on the right wing and delivers a superb cross into the box. Sidwell arrives unmarked but he fails to keep his effort down and fires over from close range. It's a second superb opportunity for the visitors. They cannot afford to keep missing chances.
SAVE! West Brom break at pace in numbers. The ball is slipped through for Bifouma, who is denied from 12 yards by the feet of Stekelenburg. Fine save but a good chance for the hosts. It's been a great game to watch.
I predicted a tight, nervy game. Well, it's only taken 24 minutes for me to be proven wrong. Both teams are playing some really nice football and three points seems to be the only thing on the mind for these players this afternoon.
Good move from the Baggies. Brunt beats a couple of players to make it to the byline but his cross is too firm for a teammate to reach and Amorebieta is able to clear at the back post.
GOAL! WEST BROM 0-1 FULHAM (DEJAGAH)
A goal has been coming and it's Fulham who break the deadlock! Richardson earns himself some space before pulling the back into the box. Holtby looks set to finish but he misses with a wild swing of the boot. Luckily for the German, Dejagah arrives just moments later to drill home from the edge of the box. Good finish. Advantage Fulham!
Fulham probably have deserved that goal. They've looked the more dangerous side in the final third of the pitch and had already missed two opportunities to take the lead. Magath will be delighted with how his Premier League career has started.
There's a stoppage at The Hawthorns when Parker clashes heads with Brunt in midfield. The West Brom skipper needs some treatment but both will be fine to continue.
Great goalkeeping from Stekelnburg to rush off his line and collect the ball before Amalfitano can reach a clever pass from Morrison.
It's been a pretty decent response from West Brom since they fell behind. They've certainly played a lot worse in recent matches but that won't come as any consolation unless they can find an equaliser.
Holtby has been a joy to watch in the first half. He's certainly proving his quality in a struggling Fulham side since leaving Spurs on loan in January. Magath is attempting to give the German a lot of responsibility and he's relishing playing behind the striker.
Amaliftano is left bemused after going down under a challenge from Richardson and seeing the referee wave play on. It didn't look like a foul to me. Good decision.
Plenty of silly little fouls being committed in the middle of the park today. Mike Dean has resisted the urge to reach for his cards, which is nice to see from the referee.
Vital clearance made by Jones at the back post when Fulham attempt to cause more problems with a floated ball into the box from a free kick.
SAVE! Wonderful effort from Rodallega, who sees a 25-yard half-volley tipped wide by a diving Foster. Great goalkeeping. That would have been a special second goal for Fulham.
Worrying signs for the Baggies now as Jones clutches his hamstring and calls for the physio to come onto the pitch.
SUBSTITUTION: Mel is forced to make a change as Jones heads down the tunnel holding his hamstring. It's an interesting substitution, with Victor Anichebe being introduced just before the break.
Fulham are finishing the first half on the front foot. The fourth official confirms there will be two minutes of added time played.
YELLOW CARD! Mike Dean is forced to use his cards for the first time in stoppage time following a late challenge from Brunt on Dejagah.
HALF TIME: WEST BROM 0-1 FULHAM
An entertaining first half comes to an end at The Hawthorns. Fulham have been very impressive and they fully deserve their 1-0 lead. The Baggies have had their moments but they can have no complaints about being behind at the break.
There's some good news for both of these sides because their fellow relegation rivals Sunderland are losing 3-0 to Arsenal at half time in North London. If results stay as they are then Cardiff, who are trailing Hull 2-0, will be bottom later this afternoon. It could be a great day for Fulham.
There was a second yellow card I failed to report just before the break, with Heitinga becoming the first Fulham player to be booked.
The first 15 minutes of the second half could decide how this game goes this afternoon. If Fulham continue to play how they have been, they'll surely find a second before West Brom can level the scores. Anichebe's introduction suggests that the Baggies may go slightly more direct after the break.
Just a couple of minutes before the game gets back underway. It's a massive 45 minutes for both of these teams. I'm not sure if Mel can afford to lose at home to such a big rival for Premier League safety.
West Brom get the second half started at The Hawthorns.
SUBSTITUTION: The Baggies made another change at the break, with Zoltan Gera coming on for Bifouma, who was very poor in the first half.
It's all Fulham at the start of the second half. The visitors do not look like a team propping up the rest of the sides in the Premier League today. Magath's side have relaxed and are dominating possession again.
West Brom will be relying on Anichebe to hold up the ball and bring other players into the game in the second half. The hosts need to commit more men forward when they are in possession in the final third of the pitch.
Amalfitano delivers a superb cross to the back post, where Dejagah does some great defensive work to clear under pressure from Ridgewell.
Olsson rises highest to cause some problems from a West Brom corner but Parker steps in to make the vital clearance inside the penalty area.
SUBSTITUTION: First change of the day from Fulham as Amorebieta makes way for John Arne Riise.
Really good spell of pressure from West Brom but Fulham are dealing with everything impressively as Stekelenburg heads away a Brunt corner.
SAVE! Brunt is given far too much space to unleash a shot and Fulham are left thanking Stekelenburg, who tips a powerful low strike past the post.
There's been a big response to this spell of pressure from the home supporters. West Brom are improving with every passing minute but they must level the scores while they are on top.
It will be interesting to see how Fulham respond. They've been asked plenty of questions since the break but they're still in front. Magath might be tempted to send on Mitroglou soon in an attempt to hold the ball up further up the pitch.
SUBSTITUTION: Mr Magath must be following the coverage on his phone. Rodallega is replaced by Mitroglou, who receives a warm welcome from the visiting supporters.
Early sniff of goal for Mitroglou as Holtby slips through a pass in an attempt to find the striker but Foster is quick off his line to collect the ball.
SAVE! Brunt links well with Morrison, who turns on the edge of the box to drill a shot at goal but Stekelenburg is able to make a routine save to keep his side ahead.
It's West Brom who are in control of this match now. Can they find an equaliser? Mel is urging his side on from the sidelines as the Baggies start a new move.
A long ball into the box is cleared to Berahino, who fires a disappointing shot over the crossbar from 25 yards to bring groans from the home supporters.
Fulham may be on the back foot but Magath will be impressed with how they're sticking to their task at the back. Brunt targets the top corner with a shot from the edge of the box but Heitinga makes a great block to deny the midfielder.
SUBSTITUTION: Magath makes another change as Dan Burn comes on to replace Richardson.
CHANCE! What an opportunity for West Brom. Brunt's corner finds McAuley but the defender, left unmarked inside the box, somehow manages to head wide. Big let off for Fulham.
YELLOW CARD! West Brom win a free kick and Riether receives a booking for refusing to retreat 10 yards back.
Burn has joined Hangeland in the centre of defence, with Heitinga appearing to be operating on the right since that change.
YELLOW CARD! Sidwell attempts to launch a Fulham counter attack but his progress is halted when McAuley pulls him down. Booking for the defender.
SUBSTITUTION: Berhaino's afternoon comes to an end and he's replaced by Vydra.
Fulham are defending very impressively. West Brom may end up regretting not making the most of their superiority in the second half. It's turning into a very even match once again.
Despite seeing more of the ball in advanced areas in the second half, West Brom do seem to lack a creative mind when it really matters. It's just been cross after cross and Fulham's defence are handling the threat.
Fulham are attempting to apply some pressure of their own as they look for the second goal that would wrap up the points for the visitors. It's going to be a nervy final few minutes for the visitors.
Mitroglou has barely seen the ball since replacing Rodallega and he's denied another opportunity when Olsson rises highest in the box to clear a cross from Riether.
GOAL! WEST BROM 1-1 FULHAM (VYDRA)
Equaliser for the Baggies! Stekelenburg, who has been in great form today, gifts the hosts an equaliser when Vydra hits an equaliser under the Dutch goalkeeper. Hawk-eye is needed but a replay shows the ball did creep over the line. Big goal in the relegation battle.
The home supporters are urging their side on now as the Baggies go in search of a big victory. Fulham are being forced onto the back foot. Will there be one more final moment of drama?
The fourth official confirms there will be four minutes of time added on. West Brom are not settling for the point but Fulham would bite your hand off for a draw right now.
SAVE! Brunt whips in a dangerous cross into the box and the ball looks to be heading for the bottom corner before Stekelenburg pushes it to safety. Olsson picks up a booking in stoppage time.
Time is running out for either of these sides to find a winner. It looks like they'll have to take a point each.
FULL TIME: WEST BROM 1-1 FULHAM
It's all over at The Hawthorns. Fulham bossed the first half of this match and took the lead through Ashkan Dejagah but West Brom hit back impressively after the break and claimed a point thanks to Matej Vydra's late equaliser.
Fulham have missed the opportunity to move off the bottom of the table but they have managed to close the gap on Sunderland and Cardiff. West Brom move to 16th ahead of Norwich City, who face Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow afternoon.
Still no victory for either of these teams but we've been treated to a thoroughly entertaining game of football this afternoon. That's all from me today. Make sure you stick around for analysis and reaction from all of today's games. Goodbye.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
