BIG SAM HAILS DIAGNE FACTOR
SAM Allardyce saluted new recruit Mbaye Diagne as his great navy blue and white hope after this early six-pointer ended all square.
West Brom’s chief was staring down the barrel at half-time after the Cottagers had run riot – but only had one goal to show for their troubles.
But he threw the big loan signing from Galatasaray into the mix – and his arrival immediately gave the Baggies a focal point.within 20 minutes the entire course of the game had been altered as the powerful targetman put himself about and gave the hosts a vital outlet.
Thanks to goals from Kyle Bartley and Matheus Pereira the Baggies turned the tables on Scott Parker’s side and moved in sight of a vital win.
However, Ivan Cavaleiro jumped off the bench to nod home at the far post to level, leaving both bosses with justifiable gripes at the final whistle.
Parker was unhappy that the game wasn’t over at half-time.
And that was a valid view. Allardyce was just happy, after four goalless games at The Hawthorns, to find a route to goal.and he was especially pleased to land Diagne.
He said: “He only arrived at 8pm on Friday night. He sent me a text with a few emojis on.
“I understand he wears some colour in his hair. I replied saying that he should turn up
with his hair in blue and white stripes. I’m delighted to see him. I want to say a massive ‘thank you’ to him.
The visitors went ahead early on. Mario Lemina played a ball into Aleksandar Mitrovic’s feet and the big forward set Bobby Decordovareid in down the right and the wideman finished with ease.
Allardyce made a change but it was his second switch, at the break that changed the game, Mbaye immediately putting Fulham’s defence under pressure.
Their equaliser came within two minutes of the restart.
Kieran Gibbs played a short pass inside to Matheus Pereira and his cross was deflected into the path of Kyle Bartley. The centre-half made no mistake, slotting home from 10 yards.
Handed a lifeline, the Baggies took full advantage. Diagne wriggled clear on the right and Pereira met his low cross at the near post, the ball squirming in via a deflection.
At that stage it appeared Fulham were down and out.
But Parker made changes of his own. Substitutes Harrison Reed and Cavaleiro combined, with the latter nodding home, unmarked at the far post.
Parker said: “The game should have been out of sight at half-time. I thought we were fantastic.”