THIS WAS JUST POOR-PER-VIEW

Stalemate’s a turn-off.. but bosses glad to grab a point

IF pay-per-view in the Premier League is going to catch on, they will want better games than this.

With ironic timing, these teams produced the first 0-0 blank of the new season which leaves both still searching for their first win.

And it is very doubtful oubtful many viewers felt they got value for or money from their r

£14.95.

Yet both clubs can take heart from this stalemate as they y produced solid d displays which can perhaps help them em in future games.

For Albion it was a welcome clean sheet to climb out of the drop zone after conceding 13 goals in their first four games.

Slaven Bilic’s call to go with a new central defensive partnership of Branislav Ivanovic

Burnley’s Chris Wood thwarts Baggies forward Karlan Grant last night and Ahmed Hegazi paid off. They engaged in a physical battle with Burnley’s burly front two Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes.

The Clarets’ strikers will be frustrated they didn’t break the deadlock as Barnes was denied twice and Wood headed against the crossbar.

But Burnley boss Sean Dyche was still content as he reflected on his t team’s first point this term.

Dyche (left), whose side came 10th last season, said: “It is a point on the board which is pleasing psychologically. “We have been thro through a challenging period but we looked more like ourselves.

“Woody and Barnes looked a handful and it was a solid performance with some good moments in there.

“We c a n b u i l d o n performance.”

Burnley were without rightthat back Phil Bardsley who was selfisolating following a positive Covid-19 test.

They grew into the game and were hard to break down with their well-drilled shape.

Barnes had a couple of sights of goal but firstly put a lob too close to home keeper Sam Johnstone.

Then the Albion shot-stopper made a fantastic one-handed save to turn away his angled drive.

The hosts finished the half the stronger as Ivanovic had a goal-bound volley blocked.

Then debutant Karlan Grant had a header ruled out for offside.

After the break, Baggies star Grady Diangana had an effort saved before Ivanovic had a shot blocked from the follow-up.

And Burnley No.1 Nick Pope denied Darnell Furlong in a hectic few seconds. Yet it was the visitors who went closest when Wood headed Ashley Westwood’s cross on to the top of the bar from eight yards out in the 63rd minute.

Johnstone also made a good save five minutes later when Barnes headed Dwight Mc N e i l ’s cross goalwards.

But anything the former Manchester United trainee could do, so could England keeper Pope.

He spread hi s giant frame to claw away Matheus Pereira’s volley at the back post late on.

Baggies boss Bilic said: “I think football should be affordable for everybody, it is not polo.

“I saw a big team effort from the beginning.

“The guys gave me everything and we got a clean sheet.

“We also created more than enough chances to score.”

Anthony Taylor