WEST BROMWICH ALBION v WEST HAM UNITED
Barclays Premier League
Tuesday 2nd December 2014, 8:00pm
The Hawthorns

MATCH NOTES

The game will be the 97th competitive meeting of the two clubs. Albion currently have 38 wins compared to the Hammers' 37.

Albion's last game on this date came in 2006 when a John Hartson goal gave the Baggies a 1-0 Championship win over Derby County at The Hawthorns.

The Hammers' last game on December 2 came in 2012 when they recorded an excellent 3-1 win over Chelsea in a Premier League clash at Upton Park.

The Baggies have won just three out of their last 21 home league games, a run stretching back 12 months.

The Hammers’ tally of 21 points from 13 matches is their best-ever start to a Premier League season.

United have scored in all six of their away league games this season but Sam Allardyce's side haven't kept a clean sheet away from Upton Park in 12 matches.

Albion have won just two of their last 11 Premier League matches with West Ham.

Five of the last seven meetings between the two sides have ended in draws.

Saido Berahino will be looking to score against the Hammers for the third successive game.

Albion last went four league games without scoring back in March and April of 2003.

Albion's last six games: Arsenal (H) 0-1; Chelsea (A) 0-2; Newcastle United (H) 0-2; Leicester City (A) 1-0; AFC Bournemouth (A, LC) 1-2; Crystal Palace (H) 2-2.

West Ham's last six games: Newcastle United (H) 1-0; Everton (A) 1-2; Aston Villa (H) 0-0; Stoke City (A) 2-2; Manchester City (H) 2-1; Burnley (A) 3-1.

TEAM NEWS

Albion

Alan Irvine will definitely be without defender Jonas Olsson (Achilles) and midfielder Claudio Yacob (suspended) for the visit of the in-form Hammers.

Belgian left-back Sebastien Pocognoli is a doubt having picked up a dead leg during last weekend's defeat against Arsenal whilst James Morrison also faces a race against time to be fit after his recent virus and knee problems.

West Ham United

For the Hammers striker Diafra Sakho remains out due to a back problem whilst midfielder Mark Noble (calf) faces a late fitness test.

Defender Winston Reid is available again after a one-match suspension, whilst forward Enner Valencia could feature following his return to training after injury.

MATCH ODDS

Result

Albion Win: 6/4, West Ham United Win: 2/1, Draw: 2/1.

First Goalscorer

Albion: Berahino 5/1, Anichebe 13/2, Ideye 7/1, Samaras 7/1, Sessegnon 7/1, Blanco 9/1, Dorrans 10/1, Varela 10/1, Gardner 11/1, Morrison 11/1, Brunt 12/1, Mulumbu 16/1, Dawson 20/1, McAuley 25/1, Lescott 25/1, Baird 33/1, Davidson 33/1, Pocognoli 33/1.

West Ham United: Carroll 11/2, Valencia 11/2, Cole 7/1, Zarate 7/1, Vaz Te 8/1, Downing 9/1, Nolan 10/1, Amalfitano 10/1, Noble 12/1, Jarvis 12/1, Lletget 12/1, Kouyate 14/1, Song 20/1, Reid 25/1, Cresswell 33/1, Jenkinson 33/1, Collins 33/1, Tomkins 33/1, O'Brien 33/1.

No Goalscorer: 15/2.

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REFEREE

Mike Jones (Cheshire)

The Cheshire official took charge of just one Albion game last season - the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal in May.

He also took charge of just one West Ham game during 2013/14 - the 3-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford in December.

Jones has handed out 33 yellow cards and three red in the 11 games he has refereed so far this season.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for the game are currently on general sale to home supporters priced £25 adults, £20 seniors, £15 students/Under-21s and £10 Under-17s.

WEATHER FORECAST

Partly cloudy, 3°C.

FIXTURE HISTORY

LAST MEETING AT THE HAWTHORNS

Albion 1-0 West Ham United
Barclays Premier League
Sunday 26th April 2014, 3.00pm

Albion: Foster; S Reid (Morrison 45), Dawson, Olsson, Jones; Amalfitano, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Brunt; Sessegnon (Anichebe 81); Berahino (Yacob 90). Subs not used: Myhill (gk), Thievy, Vydra, Lugano.

Goalscorer: Berahino 11

West Ham United: Adrian; Demel, Tomkins (Collins 33), W Reid, McCartney; Downing (J Cole 67), Noble, Diame, Jarvis (C Cole 79); Nolan; Carroll. Subs not used: Jaaskelainen (gk), Armero, Vaz Te, Nocerino.

Booked: Collins 90+2 (foul)

Attendance: 26,541

Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral)

West Brom took a major step towards Barclays Premier League survival as Saido Berahino's first-half goal steered them to a 1-0 victory over West Ham at The Hawthorns - their first home win under boss Pepe Mel. Albion top-scorer Berahino struck in the 11th minute, converting Morgan Amalfitano's cross from close range. Baggies goalkeeper Ben Foster did well to claw away an Andy Carroll header in the 19th minute and then saw the tall striker crash another headed effort against the West Brom crossbar in the second half. But the home side hung on for a vital three points that takes them five clear of the relegation zone. The Hammers, meanwhile, are six points above the bottom three but may not be entirely at ease after their fourth straight defeat.

The visitors made a bright start and Carroll - the threat of whom Mel had made particular reference to in the build-up to the contest - cracked a shot goalwards from Kevin Nolan's lay-off in the sixth minute which Foster saved. There was a further warning from West Ham moments later when Matt Jarvis put a delivery into the dangerzone and the West Brom defence did just about enough to clear the ball away. But the Baggies have become accustomed to racing into early leads of late, having done so in their last two fixtures at The Hawthorns. And although against the run of play, it happened again as Stephane Sessegnon burst forward and slid the ball to Amalfitano, who had plenty of time and space on the right of the box to tee-up Berahino's finish. The England Under-21 international was just inches from the line as he prodded the ball over it for his ninth West Brom goal of the season, on what was his first start for the club in eight games. West Ham continued to push forward, with Carroll seeing a volley take a deflection and get cleared behind, before bringing a great diving save out of Foster with a firm header from Mohamed Diame's cross. West Brom's response was a headed effort from Billy Jones, who threw himself at Amalfitano's cross but could only send the ball wide. There were further nervy moments for the hosts as Foster got away with a risky-looking sliding tackle on Jarvis outside the box before the England goalkeeper made another reaction save during a scramble inside it. Almost immediately, Albion were back on the attack as Sessegnon and Graham Dorrans broke forward, but the latter could only fire wide from the edge of the area. West Ham were forced into an early substitution as James Tomkins came off for James Collins, and the hosts then once again failed to show a ruthless edge, with Sessegnon receiving the ball in a promising-looking area but hesitating and seeing it deflect behind. West Brom had to make a reshuffle themselves due to injury as Steven Reid limped off for James Morrison just before the break.

They enjoyed a spell of pressure after the interval, with Sessegnon twisting and turning before striking into the side netting, Adrian getting down to save Jones' low shot and Dorrans dragging an attempt wide. Sessegnon, who was appearing as much in the mood for the game as the vociferous Albion fans, tried to feed Berahino twice in quick succession, with the 20-year-old striker miscontrolling first time around and then on the second occasion producing a shot that rebounded off Adrian's legs. Soon after, Berahino lost control in front of goal once more as Youssouf Mulumbu's ball came through to him. West Brom were almost ruing those missed opportunities when Carroll met a corner and powered a header against the crossbar. Adrian was then in action again, saving well from a drilled Sessegnon effort. With those last two home games for Albion ending up as 3-3 draws due to the concession of late equalisers, Baggies fans were taking nothing for granted in the closing stages. But they were celebrating come the final whistle, just like Mel as he savoured the winning feeling on home turf for the first time since his appointment in January.

Sporting Life

CURRENT CONNECTIONS

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was Albion's player / reserve team coach for two years under Brian Talbot from 1989-1991. Dudley-born Allardyce made just one substitute appearance for the club.

Hammers midfielder Morgan Amalfitano spent the 2013/14 season on loan at The Hawthorns from Marseille, scoring four goals in 30 appearances. He joined West Ham in September for an undisclosed fee.

PAST CONNECTIONS

Amongst the players to have turned out at various levels for both clubs are: Jeroen Boere, David Burrows, Peter Butler, Franz Carr, David Cross, Alan Dickens, Fred Fenton, Danny Gabbidon, Bobby Gould, Tommy Green, Sir Geoff Hurst, Harry Kinsell, Peter McManus, Frank Nouble, Nigel Quashie, George Reid, Liam Ridgewell, Charles 'Chippy' Simmons, David Speedie, Gary Strodder, Steve Walford and Chris Whyte.

ALL-TIME LEAGUE & CUP RECORD VS WEST HAM UNITED