West Brom 3-1 Hull
by Simon Williams
at the Hawthorns

West Bromwich Albion’s 400th Premier League game ended in victory yesterday after they beat struggling Hull City 3-1 at The Hawthorns.

Robert Snodgrass opened the scoring after 21 minutes, netting Hull’s first away goal since their 6-1 thrashing at Bournemouth.

But prior to kick-off the Tigers had gone 21 games in all competitions without a keeping a clean sheet — their worst run since January 1991.

And that run continued when Chris Brunt levelled the scores on 49 minutes before Gareth McAuley gave Albion the lead just after the hour mark.

James Morrison wrapped up the points for the home side on 73 minutes to move Albion up to seventh in the table.

It was the visitors who had the best chance to break the deadlock after a drab opening 15 minutes.

Snodgrass, who scored a fantastic free-kick in his side’s 2-2 draw with Everton last time out, found himself in a similar position 30-yards out but his effort was well saved by Albion keeper Ben Foster before Tigers captain Michael Dawson, who was also on the scoresheet against the Toffees, volleyed wide from 12 yards.

But the home side failed to heed the warnings and found themselves behind when Snodgrass netted the game’s opener just after the 20 minute mark volleying a cross from Ahmed Elmohamady into the far corner of the goal.

Albion were forced into a change midway through the half when Allan Nyom replaced the injured Jonny Evans.

And it was the substitute who set up his side’s best chance of the half with a cross from the left that Salomon Rondon headed straight into the hands of a grateful David Marshall from three yards out.

Matt Phillips also had a chance to draw his side level but Marshall was again on hand to keep the Albion winger’s header out before Hull had chances to double their lead through midfielders Adama Diomande and Tom Huddlestone.

But the Tigers would be left to rue their missed chances when Brunt levelled the scores shortly after the break, the Northern Irish international powerfully heading a Phillips corner over Marshall and into the back of the net.

The home side were ahead on 62 minutes when Brunt’s Northern Irish teammate McAuley headed home another Phillips’s corner, the ball hitting Sam Clucas who was stood just over the goal line, according to the replays.

Hull substitute Ryan Mason had the chance to draw his side level but directed his header well wide of goal before Morrison sealed the points for the Baggies, shinning the ball home.