By Dave Toomes
November 10 2003

Whatever those misguided folk of Wolverhampton can do, so can The Baggies. Despite being out played in the first half the Baggies snatched a stunning victory at Upton park to send them top of the table. West Ham United (3) v West Bromwich Albion (4)
Upton Park, Saturday 8th November 2003

The Baggies proved this weekend that whatever the misguided ones from Dingleland can do so can they as they stormed back from 3 - 0 down to grab all three points in the East End. Promotion rivals West Ham looked as if they were on course for a rout of the Baggies with all three goals within the first 16 minutes of the kick off, but Rob Hulse saved the day for the Stars in Stripes.

The only change to the starting line up was Scott Dobie replacing Lee Hughes, who had been doubtful all week following his groin strain against Sunderland last week and James Chambers returned to the bench. Brian Deane was making his home debut for the Hammers.

The Baggies travelling support were rocked after just 42 seconds as Jermaine Defoe opened the scoring after Sean Gregan had lost the ball deep inside the Baggies half. Etherington passed to Defoe who jinked his way around two challenges before driving a low shot past Russell Hoult.

The Baggies tried to calm themselves and went looking for a speedy reply. Rob Hulse found himself bearing down on goal but was dragged to the floor on the edge of the box but the resultant Jason Koumas free kick sailed wide of the mark. Bernt Haas was next for the Baggies to try and claw a route back into the game, but the Swiss International was caught napping as he took aim and robbed of the ball by the Hammers defence.

Albion were left reeling minutes later when debutant Deane opened his account for Alan Pardew's side when he found the back of the net following Don Hutchinson's cross.

Albion looked shell shocked and their passing was all over the place with balls going astray. Gary Megson could be seen to be fuming in his technical area as West Ham looked every bit like a Premiership side whilst the Baggies looked like amateurs.

With just 16 minutes of the game gone the Hammers should have been three goals to the good when Defoe raced in behind Gregan to collect a long ball but the Baggies skipper made a timely challenge to prevent the mercurial youngster scoring. However, the home side were on the up and minutes later Deane headed home to increase their lead.

Albion were struggling to contain West Ham who were playing some neat football and again the Baggies were caught out by Defoe who found himself unmarked with acres of space. Fortunately for the visitors his shooting in this instance left a lot to be desired and he failed to beat Hoult from 18 yards out.

Andy Johnson tried his luck from long range but his shot went wide of the upright and West Ham began to relax with such a convincing lead so early in the game. Much to the delight of the home support they began to play around with the ball which bought cheers every time a pass was completed.

Against the run of play Albion found themselves with a chance to pull a goal back. Hulse had raced onto a long pass from Phil Gilchrist and managed to beat Christian Daily in the challenge before sliding the ball past David James from 6 yards. The goal gave a new impetus to the Baggies and they began to push forward in search of the elusive second goal.

Defoe was proving to be something of a thorn in the Baggies side and again he found himself with plenty of space but his shot was wide of the mark. Minutes later Defoe was booked for diving outside the box and Deane almost grabbed a hat trick when he headed wide on 38 minutes.

Hulse bought hope to the Baggies cause when he hit a thunderous 30 yard shot which sailed into the top right hand corner of James's net to bring the scores up to 3 - 2 just before the break and gave the Albion faithful something to cheer about.

Referee Mr. Mike Dean reached for his red card after Defoe made a horrific two footed challenge on Gregan during stoppage time and the home side were reduced to 10 men.

The Baggies could have equalled the score within a minute of the restart when James O'Connor was put through clear on goal but some fine defending by Pearce prevented the diminutive Irishman from shooting. With Defoe gone the Hammers were trying desperately to cling onto the three points but sustained Baggies pressure forced the home side into a game again when they should have been trying to contain the Albion.

Quinn tried his luck on 56 minutes with a 20 yard strike but Hoult held onto the ball well. The saying 'a game of two halves' could have been made for this game as Albion continued to pressure the Hammers goal, but this bought its own problems for The Baggies who again found themselves stretched at the back. Deane crossed for Etherington but the ball shot across the oncoming player before contact could be made.

Megson could sense that West Ham had started to run out of steam and bought on Macedonian skipper Artim Sakiri in an attempt to get at least a draw from the game. Albion continued to press home their attacks as the home side struggled to contain the onslaught. The visitors finally drew level on 66 minutes when two goal debutant Deane made it a forgettable hat trick by slicing the ball past keeper James into his own net from a Koumas corner to bring the Baggies back into the game.

Megson then sent on fans favourite Lee Hughes in place of Scott Dobie as West Ham looked totally demoralised at the way the game had ended up after such a strong start. Hughes wasted no time in making his presence felt and in the 77th minute produced one of those fairytale moments when he shot at goal to make it 4 - 3 to the visitors. the shot did deflect off Repka but Hughes will claim it as his own. The Baggies were not content to leave it at that and Hulse had the ball in the back of the net again minutes later but he was ruled offside.

Perhaps the greatest comeback in the clubs history saw all three points come back to the Hawthorns as the Baggies took their place at the top of the table again this season and opened a slender 1 point lead over Sheffield United.

The baggiesworld.co.uk Man of the Match went to Rob Hulse