Shittu cannot hide Albion's failings
West Bromwich Albion 1 Bolton Wanderers 1
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Time is running out for West Bromwich Albion. Tony Mowbray's team are staying faithful to their passing game, but a lack of firepower looks certain to bring a swift end to their Premier League return.
A lucky deflection eight minutes from time – only their second goal in five matches – salvaged a point at The Hawthorns yesterday, but this was surely a match that Albion had to win. In Bolton, however, they came up against opponents adept at taking something from meetings between the top flight's also-rans. Splendidly organised, Gary Megson's men defended with assured authority and always looked the more likely to score.
While there was much to admire in the smooth passing of Jonathan Greening, Chris Brunt and Robert Koren, Albion badly lacked a cutting edge, with their strikers Jay Simpson and Marc-Antoine Fortuné kept firmly in check by the excellent Sébastien Puygrenier and Gary Cahill. The arrival of Roman Bednar as a substitute and the departure of the injured Puygrenier early in the second half brought a small shift in the balance of power, but not enough to make a difference.
Bolton's route to goal was more direct and more effective, with Matt Taylor's supporting runs from midfield a particularly potent weapon. Their best move of the first half ended with Kevin Davies cleverly setting up Taylor, whose crisp shot from 10 yards was pushed aside by Scott Carson. The Albion goalkeeper twice fended off smartly struck free-kicks by Taylor, who eventually broke the deadlock midway through the second half, pouncing on Jonas Olsson's headed clearance to shoot home from the edge of the penalty area.
An Albion comeback seemed unlikely, but after 82 minutes Koren's shot from the edge of the penalty area struck Danny Shittu's thigh and crept into the net. Albion threw men forward in a desperate search for a winner, but the best chance came at the other end when Carson kept out Taylor. "I've never questioned the players in terms of them giving up the ghost," said Mowbray. "You tell me if you think they are giving up the ghost. I don't think so."
Megson, who was sent to the stand after complaining too vociferously about not being able to send on a substitute, was given a warm reception at his old club and said: "It was humbling because I didn't expect it."
Attendance: 25,530
Referee: Howard Webb
Man of the match: Cahill
Match rating: 6/10
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments