Derby stalemate leaves Albion facing trapdoor
West Bromwich Albion 1 v Wolverhampton Wanderers 1
As sackings go the assault on Old Trafford in the year 2021 by a rag tag legion of Prawn Sandwich eaters was hardly on a par with Holy Roman Emperor Charles V’s mutinous attack on Rome in 1537. At Old Trafford two police officers were regrettably injured, whereas the death-toll in Rome was estimated at close to 12,000. Many more died in the aftermath from disease caused by the prevalence of dead bodies lying in the streets. Previously a centre of High Italian Renaissance culture and patronage, Rome suffered depopulation and economic collapse. It is unlikely that, despite its relative decline in the post Fergusson era, Manchester United will suffer a similar fate. Furthermore, to pin motivation for the attack solely on hatred of the Glazer’s and their dash for yet more cash in the comfortable buzzom of a closed shop European Super League is questionable. Had Manchester United either lost or drawn to Liverpool in yesterday’s fixture they would have handed the premier league title to their hated rivals in the eastern half of the city. The gratitude heaped upon them would have been unbearable. Thus, did stopping the game to prevent that outcome trump moral outrage.
Stopping the game to prevent a fourth win in a row for West Bromwich Albion over Wolverhampton Wanderers might also have been considered ahead of this latest encounter by those who frequent the Molineux South Bank. That and the toxic combination of Tesco bags and Jez Moxey, a welt that has never properly been cauterised. Indeed, rubbing salt into Old Gold wounds has almost become commonplace. It was written in the stars that, having failed to secure a win during his opening six league games in charge at the Hawthornes, Allardyce should claim a maiden victory at of all places the Molineux. Subsequent form however has remained inconsistent Big Sam picking up just 18 points from his twenty games in charge. Thus did the latest instalment of the Black Country derby take on rather greater significance for the Baggies than their fierce local rivals, victory essential if they are to maintain any serious hope of Premier League survival. And after a first half in which Wolves dominated possession and went in at half time one goal ahead that challenge took on even greater proportions.
Fielding a Wolves side shorn of numerous first teamers, the opening fifteen minutes of the game was a tentative affair neither side looking threatening. Yet as the half progressed Wolves started to look threatening Rayan Ait-Nourri demonstrating a degree of skill and enterprise that makes you question why he’s playing at full back and Nelson Semedo going close with a shot on 29 minutes following a neat move. A minute later Vitinha stretched Sam Johnstone with a fine shot and it would not be until the 41st minute that the home side created their first chance when Mbaye Diagne’s header across the Wolves goalmouth was cleared to safety by Romain Saiss. Five minutes later the visitors opened their account when Owen Otasawie’s threaded ball was back healed by Vitinha to Semedo. The latter pulled the ball back to Fabio Silva, whereupon Kyle Bartley’s attempted clearance rebounded off the Portuguese striker’s foot before looping over Sam Johnstone and into the Albion net. It was a comical end to an excellent move but on the run of play more than Wolves deserved.
Following the break Albion started the more adventurous and should have taken the lead had first Conor Townsend and then Conor Gallagher not converted guilt edged chances either side of the 54 minute mark. Undeterred the home side continued to probe and six minutes later Townsend made partial amends for his earlier miss with a fine cross which was headed home by the unmarked Diagne. Thereafter both sides huffed and puffed but struggled to overcome the monsoon rain, surface water making playing conditions increasingly difficult. Despite that in minute 79 a good move by Wolves set Vitinha free in the Albion box but his cross failed to connect with a Wolves boot. And that was just about it.
The draw ensured that Albion’s unbeaten home run continues; they have not been beaten by Wolves at the Hawthorn’s since 1996. But with their premier league existence now hanging by a thread, there will be few at the Hawthorns celebrating that stat. For Wolves an injury disjointed season cannot end soon enough.
West Bromwich Albion: Johnstone 7, Ajayi 6, Bartley 6, O’Shea 5 Sub Phillips 6, Furlong 6, Gallagher 6, Yokuslo 6, Maitland Niles 5 Sub Robinson, Townsend 6, Costa Pereira 5, Diagne 7
Wolverhampton Wanderers: Patricio 8, Semedo 6, Coady 7, Saiss 6, Ait- Nourri 7 Sub Kilman, Dendoncker 6, Neves 6, Vitinha 7 Sub Gibbs White, Otasowie 7 Sub Podence, Traore 6, Silva 7
Attendance: Nil (Covid 19)
Referee: Mike Dean 8
©Mark Brennand