West Brom 0 Fulham 0: Sunday Mercury Big Match Report

Sep 25 2011 by Christopher Lepkowski, Sunday Mercury

IT was an opportunity missed for Albion as they were held to their first goalless draw for nearly two years.

The Baggies were blessed with the pre-match news that Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora were ruled out due to illness, with Damien Duff absent for personal reasons.

Yet they remained impotent against a spirited Fulham side, being forced into their first 0-0 since the Championship stalemate against Coventry in October 2009.

But the hosts did go close through Chris Brunt in the dying throes of the game.

The Northern Ireland winger’s low shot beat Mark Schwarzer but struck the base of the post, before rolling to safety.

Misfiring Peter Odemwingie also had a great opportunity earlier on during the second half when he raced clear of the Fulham backline but smashed his shot straight at Schwarzer.

The visitors went close themselves.

Pajtim Kasami put the ball in the net during the first half only to be denied by the flag of lineswoman Sian Massey.

And Clint Dempsey’s wayward shot hit the post after taking a deflection off Jonas Olsson.