No goals at the Hawthorns

Neither West Bromwich Albion nor West Ham United were able to find the net during their encounter at the Hawthorns this afternoon.

Goalscoring chances were few and far between during the opening 45 minutes, with West Brom in particular restricted to shots from distance.

Peter Odemwingie was the first to test Jussi Jaaskelainen in the 13th minute, but his low drive from 25 yards out was held at the first attempt by the West Ham goalkeeper.

Irish frontman Shane Long also had two strikes from similar areas on the edge of the box, but both skidded wide of Jaaskelainen's near post.

The best chance of the half actually fell to the visitors, but Winston Reid sent the ball over Boaz Myhill's crossbar from six yards out following a knock down from James Collins in the 31st minute.

Hosting West Brom started the second half brightly and struck the bar just two minutes after the restart through James Morrison, whose looping effort had beaten Jaaskelainen.

The Finnish keeper was called into action again on the hour mark to deny Zoltan Gera from 20 yards out, while Long was unable to rearrange his feet quickly enough to turn in the rebound.

Jaaskelainen's woodwork was then rattled for a second time with 73 minutes played as the Baggies began to exert some real pressure. It was Morrison again who was denied as he sent a header from close range against the bar.

Steve Clarke's West Brom continued to be the more dominant force as the match drew to a close, but they were unable to find a way past Jaaskelainen as the spoils were shared.

The results means that West Brom stay sixth, while the Hammers remain 11th.