West Bromwich Albion 0-0 Plymouth Argyle: Baggies frustrated by Pilgrims
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Both West Bromwich Albion and Plymouth Argyle came into Saturday's game off the back of defeats before October's international break
West Bromwich Albion and Plymouth Argyle played out a dismal goalless Championship draw at The Hawthorns.
The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half through chances from Ryan Hardie and Kaine Kesler-Hayden.
After the break, Grady Diangana prospered from Nathaniel Chalobah dispossessing Argyle before he saw his effort deflected wide by the visitors.
Albion continued to improve and almost sealed a late winner when Jayson Molumby's corner sailed in but Semi Ajayi and Cedric Kipre failed to connect.
Argyle shaded an edgy first half, as Hardie's shot forced a stop from Alex Palmer while Kesler-Hayden's effort was blocked.
There were boos from the home supporters after the half-time whistle following a tepid first 45 minutes from the Baggies, during which they did not manage to register a shot on target, but they almost took the lead after the restart.
Jed Wallace cut in from the left and worked the ball to Diangana, but his strike was well dealt with by Plymouth who managed to clear their lines.
There were few chances in the second half, however, with the result meaning the Baggies end the day in ninth in the Championship table and outside the play-offs by two points.
Plymouth, who welcomed back goalkeeper Michael Cooper after eight months out with a serious knee injury, held on to stave off a third defeat in a row.
The visitors have now gone four games without a win, however, and are yet to earn three points on their travels in the league this term.
West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan:
"We created a lot of set-pieces; our attacks didn't finish as attacks, they finished with set-pieces and it was another week where we didn't use our set-pieces well enough.
"They were better than us in the first half and we were better than them in the second half.
"I think they found a way to break our press in the first half and after that they found possibilities to attack our box.
"In the second half, we found a way to recover balls in the attacking half, we found a way to dominate the game but we didn't create a lot of clear-cut chances."
Plymouth Argyle boss Steven Schumacher:
"He [Michael Cooper] has worked his socks off and he deserves to play at this level and at a higher level than this.
"He's been a huge player for us for a couple of seasons and I rate him really highly. He is a top goalkeeper and I'm glad to have him back.
"He's one of the best young goalkeepers in the country - he's sharp, he's a calming influence, and he makes big saves.
"It was a big call to put him in the team but that's what I get paid for and he repaid it and I'm delighted for him.
"There weren't many massive moments for him but what he had to deal with, he did it well, and he was calm with his feet.
"He was happy to be back. I spoke to him on Tuesday or Wednesday and asked if he was OK about it and I said, 'You need to get it into your head because you're playing on Saturday.'"