est Brom draws 1-1 with Bolton in Premier League

Posted Sunday, October 03, 2010 by YAHOO Sport

WEST BROMWICH, England (AP)—James Morrison scored a late equalizer Saturday in West Bromwich Albion’s 1-1 draw with Bolton in the Premier League to negate Johan Elmander’s second-half goal.

Morrison nodded in Peter Odemwingie’s cross in the 78th minute after Elmander had given Bolton the lead in the 64th at the Hawthorns.

Odemwingie set up Chris Brunt in a great chance only moments after the equalizer, but the midfielder was denied by a brilliant save from goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

West Brom has 11 points, three more than Bolton in the standings.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle complained afterwards that Odemwingie had been offside when he collected James Morrison’s pass before setting up the equalizer.

“We paid a heavy price for a decision that should have been stopped at source,” Coyle said. “I will go now and ask the question of the assistant referee why he didn’t flag, but I don’t want that to take away from what was a terrific game.”

A lively game received the goals it deserved after halftime, with Bolton in particular looking purposeful through forward Kevin Davies.

A neat build-up led to Davies laying the ball into the path of Elmander, who broke into the box and finished past goalkeeper Scott Carson to notch his fourth goal of the season.

West Brom immediately went on the attack to look for the equalizer, and Odemwingie wasted a great chance after pouncing on an error by Bolton defender Zat Knight when he dragged his shot wide.

The Nigerian forward soon made amends, however, showing some tidy footwork before flighting a cross for Morrison to head in.

Brunt couldn’t convert a wonderful chance set up by Odemwingie, who was looking to add to his tally of three goals in five games since joining West Brom in August.

Bolton substitute Matthew Taylor looked for the winner but his free kick was too high, and he then flashed a strike across goal.

West Brom manager Roberto di Matteo, whose side beat Arsenal last time out, was satisfied with a point.

“We were not at our best today,” he told the Press Association. “The Premier League is a very tough league and some weekends there are some crazy results and surprises, other weekends there aren’t.”