THE REVERSAL
Football. It’s a funny old game. As Keith Downing was setting up for his first game in caretaker charge after the dismissal of Steve Clarke, you couldn’t help but cast an eye 12 Months prior when Albion had enjoyed their best ever start to a premier league season and were sitting pretty in Seventh in the Premier League tables, with only 2 points separating them from Chelsea in third, Albion having the superior goal difference. New season, new teams, new players, big difference.
The first half promised so much, with both teams seeking to win the game following Albion’s four straight defeats and Hull not recording a win in 5 away games since September 21st, but delivered so little as both sides lacked quality with The Baggies severely lacking confidence. The deadlock was broken when James Morrison lost possession on the edge of the Hull box to Tom Huddleston and when the ball reached Danny Graham, he had time to run at Albion’s defence before slotting the ball to Jake Livermore who broke the deadlock with a low strike past Foster.
The second half was much more encouraging from an Albion perspective as The Baggies had more shots on Allan McGregor's goal having enjoyed more possession and momentum since the arrival of Saido Berahino for Scott Sinclair at half-time. The equaliser eventually came 4 minutes from time when current Hull player Shane Long found Zoltan Gera who played in Matej Vydra before the on-loan Udinese striker found a cool finish for his first goal in Albion colours in the bottom left of the goal.
This point was an improvement for The Baggies as they would record their first point out of a possible fifteen but it also wouldn't do them any favours as they were still without a win in seven premier league games whereas Hull recorded their third straight draw but still sat four places and four points ahead of The Baggies in 12th with Albion just three points above the relegation zone is 16th.
ALBION IN A WORD: IMPROVED