By Jemma Tappenden
March 12 2008

Tony Mowbray insisted that it was imperative that his side out the euphoria of FA Cup success to one side to concentrate on League business as they continue the press for promotion. With three games in had top spot was still in Albion’s sights and very much in their control if they could make things go their way. Could the Baggies capitalise on the first of their games in hand tonight?

Mowbray made two changes to the side that swept aside League One opposition Bristol Rovers at the weekend.  Both Zoltan Gera and Kevin Phillips were restored to the starting line up, with James Morrison and Roman Bednar dropping to the bench. 

After a steady start from both sides Albion created the games first real chance in the 7^th minute, Gera and Phillips pairing up to allow Phillips a shot on goal which went just wide from 18 yards.  Four minutes later Ishmael Miller did well to escape his marker and get in a cross which was painstakingly close to Jonathan Greening in the box. 

It was proving to be a tight game, with chances few and far between.  In the 15^th minute Gera tried an ambitious shot from 30 yards, and then Phillips went close from a header after Greening had placed a perfect cross.  But under pressure from the Palace defence Phillips could do no better than find the side netting. 

29 minutes had past before Neil Warnock’s side created their first real chance; Shaun Derry played a diagonal ball into the box where Tom Soares headed straight at Dean Kiely.  Moments later Albion paced down the field to take the lead.  Paul Robinson surged through the middle of the park to find Phillips with a defence splitting pass.  A good first touch from Phillips allowed him to control and place the ball over Palace keeper Speroni for his 200^th league goal. 

Five minutes before the break Albion were forced into an early substitution when Chris Brunt had to leave the field through injury.  James Morrison was the man to replace him, and he was straight into the action as he spun his marker on the edge of the box, only to fire straight into the arms of Speroni. 

Crystal Palace were also forced to make a change before the break, Soares joined Brunt in the injury room and was replaced by Clinton Morrison. Half Time:

West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Crystal Palace 

Things went from bad to worse for Albion during the break, as substitute James Morrison was substituted himself through injury, he was replaced by Korean republic International Do - Heon Kim.  Within 20 seconds of the restart Kim was pressing for Albion, trying his luck with a 35 yard cracker that flew just wide. 

In the 52^nd minute Palace produced what had been their best chance up to that point.  Clint Hill connected to Watson’s free kick to head just wide of the post.  And just three minutes later Palace drew level.  A left wing cross from Hill was flicked on by Jamie Scowcroft who had risen well above the Baggies defence.  He nodded down to a waiting Moses who slotted home past Dean Kiely after the rest of the Albion defence had been caught napping. 

It would prove to be his last action, as Moses picked up an injury and was forced t leave the field of play in the 61^st minute, Shaun Scannell coming on in his place.  The Palace equaliser had knocked all sense of rhythm out of the Baggies side, and so in the 68^th minute Gera was replaced with Luke Moore as Albion looked to spruce up their performance. 

With 20 minutes left to play Albion at last began to inject some life into their performance.  Miller tried his luck with a 30 yard piledriver which Speroni struggled to hold.  He gathered the ball on the second attempt however before Moore could pounce.  Seconds later it took a full stretch dive from Speroni to keep out Kim’s 20 yard strike. 

As the game came towards an end Moore wasted a terrific cross from Robinson by heading over from 10 yards, and Miller fired over from 15 yards after collecting a neat pass from Kim.  In a final chance Phillips 20 yard shot was deflected by Hill, but the Palace keeper was alert to the danger. 

A disappointing night for Albion, who await news on injured duo Morrison and Brunt.  Morrison is believed to have gone over on his ankle, whereas Brunt seems to have developed a hamstring strain. 

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Crystal Palace 

Phillips (30) 

Moses (55) 

Attendance: 20,378