West Brom held by West Ham in EPL stalemate

(AP Photo/PA, Nick Potts)

WEST BROMWICH, England (AP) James Morrison was twice denied by the crossbar as West Bromwich Albion was forced to settle for a 0-0 draw against West Ham in the Premier League on Sunday, dashing its hopes of jumping into the Champions League positions.

The hosts at least ended a run of three straight losses, but it could have been much better had Morrison found the net instead of the goal-frame with a flicked shot early in the second half and then a header in the 74th.

West Ham's best chances in a dire game fell to Winston Reid and Gary O'Neil, but Sam Allardyce's team will be happy to have come away from the Hawthorns with a point.

West Brom stayed sixth, but the point moved the team level on points with Everton.

Updated December 16, 2012