How did West Brom go from midtable to a run of 20 games without a win?

Only Derby County’s disastrous 2007-08 team – who won once all season – have gone for longer without tasting victory

By Martin Laurence for WhoScored?, part of the Guardian Sport Network

The significance of the game between Premier League strugglers West Ham and West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night was not lost on the fans or managers of either side. With both teams in the bottom three and separated by just two points before kick-off, West Brom in particular needed to win to avoid being left behind. It was Alan Pardew’s eighth game in charge and his second against one of his former employers, having begun his reign with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace. For West Brom, it ended the same way every other league game has since August: without a win.

West Brom started well, taking the lead for the first time in Pardew’s short tenure, but that sinking feeling didn’t take long to resurface. Andy Carroll scored his first goals since April to first draw West Ham level and then give them a last-minute victory. The three points have lifted West Ham out of the relegation zone and above both Stoke and Southampton; the defeat leaves West Brom four points clear of safety and without a win in 20 league matches.

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