By David Hobbs
May 7 2005

A Robert Earnshaw penalty after the hour mark accompanied by a string of spectacular saves from stand-in goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has boosted West Brom's chances of relegation survival. Ryan Giggs netted in the first-half to hand United a lead.

Kuszczak Heroics Save Baggies

Manchester United 1
Giggs 21

West Bromwich Albion
Earnshaw 60 (Penalty)

A Robert Earnshaw penalty after the hour mark accompanied by a string of spectacular saves from stand-in goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak has boosted West Brom's chances of relegation survival.

Bryan Robson's return to Old Trafford proved a successful one and watched his side caught napping in the first-half as Ryan Giggs struck an audacious free-kick. 

Goalkeeper Russell Hoult was injured subsequent to the free-kick and that gave Polish shot-stopper Kuszczak an opportunity to stamp his name in English football.

Kuszczak endlessly denied the Red Devils throughout the first half and into the second half with a dozen sublime saves.

Despite being at the foot of the table, West Brom have a fighting chance of survival going into the last game of the season.

Ruud van Nistelrooy wasn't included in the squad due to an ankle injury, Wayne Rooney was dropped to the bench and Kleberson stood in for skipper Roy Keane in midfield.

West Brom suffered a double set-back twenty minutes into the game. Russell Hoult and his defence were too slow in setting up free-kick protection, allowing Ryan Giggs to fire into an almost empty net. 

Hoult suffered a groin injury watching the free-kick stroll past him and had to be replaced with Kuszczak, who made only his fourth appearance in a Baggies jersey.

The Pole blocked Quinton Fortune's promising header as well as a number of Cristiano Ronaldo attacks just minutes into his arrival.

Rio Ferdinand could have netted his first goal for United seconds before the interval but scuffed a golden opportunity wide from just yards out. The England international defender's miss was met with angry boos from United fans, who are concerned regarding the amount of time he's taken to ink a new contract.

After the break, Roy Carroll's bravery paid off as he denied Kevin Campbell a shot before Kleberson went close from ten yards.

Referee Mark Halsey awarded Albion with a penalty following John O'Shea's tussle with Geoff Horsfield inside the box. Robert Earnshaw stepped up and made no mistake in equalising.

Despite throwing on Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Louis Saha, Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't salvage maximum points out of Robson's side.

 

Final Score: Manchester United 1 - 1 West Bromwich Albion
Att: 67,827

Manchester United: Carroll, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Phil Neville (Scholes 67), Kleberson (Rooney 67), Fortune, Giggs, Smith (Saha 67).
Substitutes Not Used: Howard, Miller.

West Bromwich Albion: Hoult (Kuszczak 22), Albrechtsen, Gaardsoe, Clement, Robinson, Gera (Inamoto 83), Wallwork, Greening, Earnshaw, Campbell, Horsfield (Kanu 66).
Substitutes Not Used: Scimeca, Moore.

Refereed By: M Halsey