First-half goals from Kevin Nolan and James Tomkins helped West Ham United to a 2-1 win away to West Bromwich Albion tonight.

Craig Dawson opened the scoring on 10 minutes, but two goals from the Hammers duo helped turn the game on its head and inflict a fourth straight defeat on the Baggies.

Alan Irvine's side threw the kitchen sink at their London counterparts in a bid to restore parity, but a solid defensive performance from the visitors earned them a hard-fought win.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at a big win for Sam Allardyce's side in the West Midlands.

Match statistics

WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Shots: 14
On target: 5
Possession: 58%
Corners: 7
Fouls: 17

WEST HAM UNITED
Shots: 7
On target: 6
Possession: 42%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 11

Was the result fair?

By virtue of their 77% possession in the second half, it would seem as if West Brom did plenty to win this game but, in truth, they didn't do anywhere near enough. Despite their territorial dominance, Alan Irvine's side only brought one or two big saves from Hammers keeper Adrian and it is difficult to argue that it was not a fair result.

It might have been a different complexion had Adrian single-handedly kept his team in the game but, as we said, that was not the case at all and, based on their staunch defending, West Ham thoroughly deserved to win this.

West Bromwich Albion's performance

Having lost their three previous games, the result was always far more important for West Brom tonight. The hosts had plenty of possession, especially in the second half, but they only converted that into one clear-cut opportunity, which was missed by Victor Anichebe.

Irvine, who had to contend with "you don't know what you're doing" chants during the defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, did little to quell that vitriol after playing striker and top goalscorer Saido Berahino on the wing in the first half. Did the gamble pay off? No.

The youngster was nowhere near as involved as he would have been had he been deployed in a central role, and the first 45 minutes more or less passed him by. It was a big call by Irvine and one that could have perhaps undermined their efforts tonight.

West Ham United's performance

The statistics would suggest that the visitors are lucky to be returning to London with a victory, but putting their win down to good fortune rather than skill would be a major disservice to what was a superb defensive effort from West Ham. It was not pretty, but few could argue that it was not effective and the hard-fought win ensures that the Hammers stay fifth, one point behind Manchester United in fourth.

The away fans broke into a rendition of "we're going for Champions League" at full time, and these chants are becoming slightly less than tongue-in-cheek.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Stephane Sessegnon: If any West Brom player did not deserve to be on the losing side then it's Sessegnon who, despite a relatively quiet opening 45 minutes, really came to the fore in the second half. Between step-overs and deceptive drops of the shoulder, the 30-year-old tormented West Ham on occasions throughout the second half and can feel desperately unlucky with the result.

Biggest gaffe

James Tomkins might have been due an ear-bashing from manager Sam Allardyce had he not proved the match-winner tonight. This is because the defender endured a nightmare opening 20 minutes and found himself culpable for the concession of the first goal.

Firstly, Tomkins found himself too tight to Anichebe, who spun him easily before he was dragged down by the West Ham defender. If that was not bad enough, Tomkins then let Craig Dawson run past him en route to planting a header past Adrian to compound the 25-year-old's misery. However, he was the difference between one point and three tonight, so Allardyce may give him a pass.

Referee performance

The spotlight was also on referee Mike Jones tonight after failing to award Sergio Aguero what was considered a stick-on penalty in Manchester City's recent win over Southampton - and then booking the Argentine for diving.

Consequently, Jones has not been assigned to a Premier League game at the weekend, and that decision doesn't look any better or worse than it did prior to kickoff after a relatively average refereeing performance tonight. He booked three players in total, two of which were spot-on but Chris Brunt's yellow card might have been a little harsh - and it led to West Ham's all-important equaliser.

What next?

West Bromwich Albion: Irvine's side travel to the KC Stadium for a clash with Hull City on Saturday afternoon.

West Ham United: The Hammers, meanwhile, host Swansea City at Upton Park on Sunday.