West Brom miss opportunity with Hammers stalemate
London - West Bromwich Albion failed to take advantage of a lacklustre West Ham United performance in a goalless draw Monday at Upton Park.
West Ham have not won in more than a year without Carlton Cole in the side, and with the forward suspended, their display was toothless.
West Brom look increasingly doomed, bottom of the table and six points from safety.
West Ham remain seventh and in line for UEFA Cup qualification, two points clear of Wigan Athletic.
Both sides had half-shouts for penalties, but there was desperately little of note in a mind-numbing first half.
The second was only a little brighter.
West Brom hit the bar six minutes after the restart, Shelton Martis rising at the back post to meet Chris Brunt's cross with a fine header. He was aided, though, by an elbow from Jonas Olsson on Rob Green, which left the keeper grounded and looking dazed.
Jonathan Greening then skewed over from close range, but West Brom lacked the punch to take advantage of West Ham's sluggishness. (dpa)