Match Reports

Albion v Bournemouth match report

Albion wrapped up their pre-season campaign with a goalless draw against AFC Bournemouth in their final summer friendly.

With just eight days before the Baggies begin their 2019/20 Sky Bet Championship campaign, Slaven Bilić's men dominated in a worthwhile warm-up with Premier League opposition at The Hawthorns.

Bilić, who graced the Hawthorns home dugout for the first time, used the depth of his squad, making eight second-half changes, during an impressive Albion display which just lacked a crucial breakthrough.

Filip Krovinović proved a central figure to much of the Baggies' attacking play, and while the hosts failed to make the net bulge, they created several first-half opportunities and a late flurry of second-half chances.

Albion flew out of the blocks and Matt Phillips enjoyed two early sights of goal inside the opening five minutes.

It served as a taster for an impressive first half from the lively hosts, with Krovinović at the heart of proceedings as he look to orchestrate proceedings.

The dominant Baggies enjoyed two good openings inside the space of 60 second just before the half-hour mark.

Phillips sent captain Jake Livermore clear inside the penalty area but he saw the chance go begging, however the visitors couldn't clear their lines and Kenneth Zohore almost poked home from six yards.

Callum Wilson saw a shot blocked before the interval, which saw Darnell Furlong, Kieran Gibbs and Oliver Burke all introduced by Bilic.

Sam Johnstone made a smart save from Ryan Fraser in the 52nd minute, before Albion made a further five changes as Hal Robson-Kanu, Chris Brunt, Sam Field, Dara O'Shea and Jonathan Leko were steadily introduced.

Burke who almost made the breakthrough in the 71st minute but he saw his shot well saved by Adam Ramsdale.

And it was the Cherries keeper who twice came to the rescue to deny Gibbs and Leko in the final 10 minutes as the friendly finished all square.

Albion: Johnstone, Ferguson (Furlong 46), Ajayi, Bartley (O'Shea 69), Townsend (Gibbs 46), Harper (Field 64), Livermore (c) (Brunt 64), Phillips (Leko 69), Krovinović, Edwards (Robson-Kanu 61), Zohore (Burke 46).

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