WEST BROM 0
CRYSTAL PALACE 0
Alan Pardew’s first game in charge of West Brom ended in frustration as they were held by Crystal Palace.
Julian Speroni, a lastminute selection after Wayne Hennessey was injured in the warm up, denied Albion with saves from Jay Rodriguez and Hal Robson-Kanu.
Christian Benteke wasted Palace’s best chance.
Palace, who only named six substitutes, suffered an early blow with Hennessey’s withdrawal.
It meant the Eagles went into the game without a goalkeeper on the bench and Speroni was forced to focus during a bright start from Pardew’s new side.
Robson-Kanu directed a tricky chance over from eight yards before Salomon Rondon fired at Speroni and Rodriguez – in for the injured Matt Phillips in Pardew’s only change – headed wide.
Albion were on top and Martin Kelly diverted Robson-Kanu’s drive over and, from the resulting corner, Ahmed Hegazi headed wide.
But the Baggies almost paid for their profligacy when Ben Foster slipped while trying to check past Wilfried Zaha and the goalkeeper only just recovered. Zaha, who had already hit the side netting, then came close again when he robbed Gareth Barry only to see his strike deflect over.
They were warning signs for the hosts as the game opened up and, slowly, Albion’s control waned once Barry was forced off injured.
Without the midfielder, the hosts lost their footing as Palace grew into the game and Benteke should have put the Eagles ahead before half time.
First, he was thwarted by Foster and, three minutes before the break, he planted a free header straight at the keeper. But Albion regained their composure after the restart and it was Speroni in action when he denied Rodriguez after the striker tricked his way into the area.
Joel Ward twice denied Sam Field with crucial blocks and Speroni saved well from Robson-Kanu on the hour. Palace’s threat disappeared during the second half with the Baggies holding a degree of control but a goal never came.
Rondon headed wide with eight minutes remaining and the visitors survived some late pinball in the area to take a point.