Baggies stay rock-bottom after defeat by Fulham
Tony Mowbray's side created little until they went 2-0 down
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Sunday, 22, Feb 2009 10:28
West Bromwich Albion remain bottom of the Premier League after a 2-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Second-half goals from Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson condemned the Baggies to their third league defeat in four games.
And the Cottagers will feel they deserved victory, which moves them into ninth place, after they hit the woodwork four times.
Roy Hodgson's side made a bright start with Danny Murphy rattling the post with a free-kick while keeper Scott Carson beat away Dickson Etutu's 25-yard pile-driver.
The woodwork continued to come to the Baggies aid with Clint Dempsey lashing a 30-yard shot against the post while Murphy whacked a long-range shot onto the crossbar.
West Brom's only clear-cut chance of the half fell to Marc-Antoine Fortune, whose angled shot was saved by Mark Schwarzer at his near post.
But Fulham continued to carve out chances at the other end with Zamora volleying over from ten yards while Carson cleared the ball of his goal-line after Leon Barnett's over-hit back pass.
The second-half followed a similar pattern with Etuhu heading over the bar and Zamora spurning another chance from close-range.
But the ex-West Ham striker finally broke the deadlock on 61 minutes when he tapped in from two yards out after Johnson's flick on.
The home side should have sealed victory soon after with Zamora blazing over from 15 yards while Brede Hangeland's header hit the crossbar following a corner.
And their efforts were rewarded on 72 minutes when they grabbed their second when Zamora's volley was blocked by Carson with Johnson tucking in the rebound.
Tony Mowbray's side came agonisingly close to scoring a late goal with Carlos Menseguez heading inches over and Robert Koren's drive parried by Schwarzer.
And their afternoon was summed up by Roman Bednar having a penalty saved by Schwarzer in the last minute after being fouled by Brede, a result leaves the Baggies three points from safety.