Rodriguez’s goal not enough to

Darren Moore successfully ended the eight-game losing streak bequeathed to him by West Brom predecessor Alan Pardew, but a draw with Swansea appeared to represent another nail in the club’s Premier League coffin.

For the 21 minutes between Jay Rodriguez’s poached opener and Tammy Abraham’s headed equaliser, it seemed Moore might be on course for a fairytale start to life in the Hawthorns dugout. Rodriguez’s point-blank finish early in the second half got the home fans singing, slowly erasing the worst memories of Pardew’s illfated reign, but the bonhomie was punctured when Jake Livermore allowed Abraham to climb above him and nod in Sam Clucas’ corner.

The Baggies have one foot in the Championship, 11 points adrift with five to play, and may yet be joined by their opponents, who can consider themselves lucky to leave with anything after a deeply unimpressive outing.

The first half was a moribund affair, understandably short of flair given the League placings of the respective sides, but also lacking urgency.

With a few minor exceptions, the attacks were scrappy, the dribbles awkward and the ambition limited.

It might have been different had Rodriguez’s early decision to attempt an overhead-kick led to something more spectacular than a scuffed connection and a goal-kick, but regulars at the Hawthorns this season have learned to lower their expectations accordingly.

Baggies captain Chris Brunt