West Bromwich Albion kept their hopes of an automatic promotion in their own hands despite a goalless draw against Fulham at the Hawthorns.
Baggie’s defender Ahmed Hegazi made a crucial decision to avert Ivan Cavaleiro’s header from the goal in an otherwise cage-like first half before his own line.
Goalkeeper Marek Rodak denied Grady Diangana from close range after the break, while Albion defender Semi Ajayi sent two headers from the corners just past the goal.
Fulham’s winger, Anthony Knockaert, hit the crossbar with half a volley from outside the box. However, the result means that the chances of the West Londoners for a top 2 result in the championship are almost over.
West Brom is in second place four points above third-placed Brentford, who played one game more, while Fulham is five points below the automatic promotion and has two games to play.
Baggies is approaching the return of the Premier League
West Brom went into the game and needed seven points from the last three games to secure promotion to the Premier League, while Fulham realistically needed victory in the West Midlands to stay on the hunt for a top 2 result .
The situation made for a tense 45 minute opening, but the game came to life in the last half hour when Diangana, after a decisive touch from Slovakian goalkeeper Rodak, saw his stabbed shot narrowly missed the goal.
As Baggie’s playmaker Matheus Pereira gained influence, Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed made a brilliant challenge to block a Hal Robson-Kanu shot with the Welsh international who was about to shoot into the box.
Third-placed Brentford could be a point behind West Brom if he wins against Preston North End on Wednesday (5:00 PM BST).
But Albion knows that Slaven Bilic’s men will return to the top in midfield after a two-year absence in the last two games against Huddersfield Town and the Queens Park Rangers.
Fulham took on the play-off challenge
Fulham was one of the pre-season favorites for automatic promotion and an immediate return to the Premier League, but the Whites were never in the top two this season.
The losses to rivals Brentford from West London and league leaders Leeds immediately after the start of the season left them seven points behind the first two.
Fulham responded well with four wins in a row to close the gap before their trip to West Brom, but visitors couldn’t break down a stubborn defense as they lacked inspiration and lead in the last third.
Knockaert’s long-range shot was the next step to breaking the deadlock, although Aleksandar Mitrovic, the championship’s top scorer this season, sent two headers from the corners just past the goal before the break.
The whites will now compete against Sheffield Wednesday in midfield and against a formally strong Wigan Athletic team that is still looking for points to secure their place in the championship for the next season. The Latics may face a 12 point deduction to enter administration.
Fulham won promotion to the Premier League two years ago through play-offs, and Scott Parker’s side, who need two more points to secure the home advantage in the semi-final second leg, will have to repeat the feat to get back on the pitch.
