Sean Farrell’s second half equaliser ended West Bromwich Albion’s 100 per cent start to the season as Ossie Ardiles’ promotion favourites had to settle for a point at Fulham this afternoon.
Albion looked set for a fifth win of the campaign after Bob Taylor had headed in Simon Garner’s right wing cross in the second minute at Craven Cottage – but the Baggies paid the penalty for failing to score a second goal despite dominating proceedings in south west London. Jim Stannard made a spectacular save to keep out a Garner shot that appeared destined for the top corner and Taylor drove wide after spinning away from Gavin Nebbeling in the area but Don Mackay’s men somehow made it to the interval only one behind having been comprehensively outplayed.
The Whites were much more competitive in the second half as the battling qualities of Simon Morgan helped the home side nullify the pretty passing of Darren Bradley, Bernard McNally, Ian Hamilton and first half substitute Craig Shakespeare. Stuart Naylor saved well from debutant Steve Archibald and Peter Baah before the experienced Scottish striker helped create Fulham’s equaliser.
Archibald latched onto a long throw from Martin Pike and breezed between Paul Raven and Gary Strodder before picking out his strike partner Farrell, who clinically crashed home his third goal of the campaign. Taylor could snatched victory for the Albion in the closing stages after racing clear of the Fulham defence when Morgan trod on the ball but the usually ruthless centre forward drilled wide of the far post.
FULHAM: Stannard; Eckhardt, Nebbeling, G. Thomas, Pike, Marshall, Morgan, Hails, Baah, Archibald, Farrell. Subs (not used): M. Kelly, Ferney.
BOOKED: Morgan.
GOAL: Farrell (74).
WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Naylor; Raven, Strodder, Liddell, Bradley, McNally, Robson (Shakespeare 38), Caldicott, Hamilton, Garner, Taylor. Subs (not used): Heggs.
GOAL: Taylor (2).
REFEREE: David Axcell (Southend).
ATTENDANCE: 9,143.
