West Brom, Boro in soulless draw
SUPPORTERS TREATED TO A DIRE AFFAIR Shot-shy strikers make it a day to forget at The Hawthorns.
West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough scrapped their way to a goalless draw in a Premier League game of few chances at The Hawthorns yesterday.
The draw saw promoted Boro climb into sixth place, with West Brom moving up to 10th.
But this was a match to tax even the patience of the most loyal supporters, with visitors Boro not managing a shot on target until 17 minutes from time and the Baggies offering little more in attack.
The draw was some consolation for West Brom after they were knocked out of the EFL Cup on penalties by third-tier in Northampton on midweek, but the match helped explained why Baggies boss Tony Pulis has been calling for several new players to join his squad by the close of the transfer window on Wednesday.
West Brom manufactured something close to an early chance when James McClean saw an 11th-minute effort smothered by Boro goalkeeper Brad Guzan.
Salomon Rondon, West Brom’s record £12 million buy, then headed two half-chances well wide.
Meanwhile Alvaro Negredo was ploughing a lonely furrow up front for Boro.
Eight minutes before half-time, a rare attack by either side saw Brendan Galloway, making his Premier League debut for Albion after a loan move from Everton, produce a low save from Guzan.
But it was a far from threatening effort and Gaston Ramirez replied in kind early in the second half before the Baggies’ Craig Dawson headed wide of the target.
West Brom substitute Jonathan Leko lasted just five minutes before he himself limped off injured and he was replaced by want-away forward Saido Berahino.
Boro’s Cristhian Stuani shot straight at Ben Foster in the 73rd minute before Stewart Downing fired wide. – AFP