Ex Wolves boy Kevin Keen took charge of West Ham for a one game reign as caretaker gaffer, as newly appointed boss Gianfranco Zola watched on from the stands.  Within three minutes the ex Chelsea start must have been wondering what he had let himself in for as James Morrison fired Albion to a goal lead.

Brunt floated a superb left wing cross over the box, which record signing Valero controlled well on the opposite flank.  His inch perfect cross found Morrison waiting, who made no mistake in getting the better of Robert Green to fire the Baggies into the lead.

Despite the early lead, West Ham made no delay in applying a little pressure to the Albion back line.  Carlton Cole made easy work of breezing past Valero on the left, but after he had done all the hard work Noble fluffed his shot from 15 yards.  Moment later however Noble made up for his mistake by gifting Dean Ashton with a glorious opportunity, which Carson denied spectacularly after Barnett had given away possession.

Cole tried his luck himself for West Ham next, but he may well have been better laying off the ball to team mate Boa Morte who was completely unmarked in the centre.  Despite the pressure however Albion weathered the storm, and still managed to show the London outfit that they were a threat in front of goal.

Brunt released Bednar after he had worked hard down the left, although the big strikers effort was aimed straight at Green between the sticks.  In the 18^th minute a golden opportunity for Albion to double their lead went begging after Greening’s corner was missed completely by Green, only for Bednar to miss an empty net.

In the 26^th minute Albion had a big let off of their own, as Behrami wasted a clear cut effort from 15 yards after Paul Robinson had had diverted Boa Morte’s pass into his path.  But in the 29^th minute the West Ham pressure paid off as they found themselves level at the Hawthorns.  Although Carson had done a superb job stopping Di Michele’s downward header, the loose ball fell kindly for Noble at the back post, who made no mistake in hitting the target on this occasion.

In the 35^th minute West Ham took the lead in a complete reversal of fortunes.  After Carson had made a good stop from another Di Michele effort, the resulting corner was flicked on by Upson for Neill to blast home from close range.

But Albion never let their heads drop, and within 60 seconds the scores were level again as Albion were awarded a penalty for a foul on Barnett by Green in the box.  Roman Bednar placed the ball on the spot, and made no mistake in scoring Albion’s second for his second penalty success in as many home games.

Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 2-2 West Ham United

After the break Albion continued to press for a winner, as the half started with the same ferociousness that the first had ended in.  Bednar created a great chance for himself when he latched onto Greening’s cross into the box, but was unable to find the target on this occasion.

The London side waited until the 58^th minute before doing anything of any significance in the second half.  A neat lay off from Boa Morte playing in Noble, only for him to be defied by Olsson, who performed an exact tackle to divert away the ball. 

Valero and Morrison made way in the 64^th minute for Do-Heon and Moore.  In the 70^th minute Olsson had a chance to win it for Albion when Greening’s corner dropped to him in the box.  But unable to make any real connection with the ball his weak effort was easily dealt with by West Ham’s defence.

Seven minutes from time hard work and persistence paid off for the Baggies, as Brunt scored their third and the winner to secure all three points.  Olsson started the move with a clearance from a United corner.  Moore, played in Robinson who exchanged clever passes with Koren before Robbo played in Brunt.  His stunning 15 yard left footed shot left Green no chance in the West Ham goal.

Albion saw out the remaining minutes with little trouble from the London side, who left the West Midlands with no points to their name.

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 3-2 West Ham United

Morrison (3)

Bednar (37 pen)

Brunt (83)

Noble (29)

Neill (36)

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