West Bromwich Albion have opened up a 2-0 lead over West Ham United at half time in their FA Cup fifth-round tie at The Hawthorns this afternoon.
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The hosts wanted a penalty in the opening 10 minutes when Kevin Nolan appeared to be struck on the arm by a shot from James Morrison, but the referee was not interested.
Craig Gardner also had an early chance for the Baggies, but his swerving volley, which appeared on course to beat Adrian, drifted just wide.
West Brom continued to look the more likely of the two sides, and broke the deadlock 20 minutes in when Craig Dawson charged down the wing before picking out Brown Ideye with a low cross, leaving the Nigerian to convert at the near post.
Ideye tried to get himself free to add a second after the home side forced a corner, and he appealed for a spot kick as he took a tumble, but Martin Atkinson waved for the hosts to play on once more.
Gardner came within millimetres after making it two for Tony Pulis's side when he unleashed a powerful drive from 30 yards out, but it hit the underside of the crossbar before the rebound was hit over.
The hosts did manage to increase their advantage shortly before the break though, as Morrison avoided a challenge from Alex Song before rounding a couple of defenders to unleash a curling drive from 25 yards out.
Sian Cowper
