Fulham keep a clean sheet away from home and Captain Luis Boa Morte is sent off for two yellows. He will miss the Birmingham game next week.

Fulham overcame the sending-off of skipper Luis Boa Morte to collect a rare away point after an instantly forgettable Premiership encounter at The Hawthorns.

Boa Morte was given his marching orders by referee Steve Bennett in first half injury-time for his second bookable offence.

But Albion were unable to make their numerical advantage count and lacked the inventiveness displayed in their previous two league meetings with Everton and Middlesbrough.

Fixtures between the two clubs have often been feisty and littered with red cards. Three players were dismissed in last season's Hawthorns meeting and Paul Robinson was sent off in last month's Carling Cup clash. But this was generally a low-key affair which seldom moved out of second gear and the 23,144 crowd had precious little entertainment to enthuse about.

Albion huffed and puffed for long periods and enjoyed the bulk of possession but there was little spark to their play.

Jonathan Greening threatened spasmodically on the right flank and there was the odd moment of skill and trickery from Kanu before he limped out of the action.

Junichi Inamoto also worked tirelessly in midfield and he has taken on board Bryan Robson's demand to improve the defensive side of his game.

But Fulham were in a resolute mood and restricted the opportunities of the home side to a minimum as they collected only their third away point in eight matches.

Albion began brightly and a fine crossfield ball from Greening picked out the run of Paul Robinson. The full-back cut inside and went past two defenders before being crowded out on the edge of the Fulham box.

Mark Crossley became the first 'keeper to be called into action after eight minutes when he parried away a free-kick from Nathan Ellington after Diomansy Kamara had been brought down by Moritz Volz.

Baggies right-back Steve Watson became the first player to be yellow carded in the 10th minute after a late touch-line challenge on Tomasz Radzinski.

The home side were fortunate that referee Steve Bennett adjudged Curtis Davies' back pass to Tomasz Kuszczak not to be deliberate when under pressure from Brian McBride who had scored both goals in the win over Bolton last weekend.

Boa Morte could have few complaints about joining Watson in Bennett's note-book after chopping down Inamoto.

In a rare Fulham raid Collins John made a quickfire break but he found himself isolated although it needed Greening to come across and halt his run with a strong tackle.

Kanu did have the ball in the net after 26 minutes but he clearly had strayed a yard or so offside before getting on the end of a header back across the area from Kamara.

No-one was able to get on the end of a teasing cross from Greening as West Brom started to camp for long periods in the Fulham half.

Boa Morte created a half chance for himself after nipping in front of Curtis Davies but his left-footed drive was well off target.

It was 42 minutes before Fulham won the first corner of the game with Davies doing well to cut out a pass from Radzinski intended for McBride.

Then in first half injury-time Boa Morte was sent off for picking up a second yellow card after a foul on Watson. Fulham reverted to a 4-4-1 formation after the break although John was trying to give as much support as possible to McBride.

McBride paid the penalty for back-chatting to referee Bennett and was yellow carded after 52 minutes.

A fine pass from Kanu played in Greening behind the Fulham defence and his powerful centre was fisted away at full stretch by Crossley.

Albion were looking to stretch the visitors and make their numerical advantage count and Greening had a shot blocked after good play down by the left by Ellington and Robinson.

Kanu was an increasing influence but had to be substituted after appearing to hurt his right thigh in a challenge by Alain Goma and he was replaced by Geoff Horsfield who had a shot on the turn saved by Crossley.

West Brom Kuszczak, Watson, Curtis Davies, Clement, Robinson, Greening (Earnshaw 82), Wallwork, Inamoto, Kamara (Carter 67), Kanu (Horsfield 72), Ellington.
Subs Not Used: Hoult, Albrechtsen.

Booked: Watson.

Fulham Crossley, Volz (Knight 70), Goma, Bocanegra, Rosenior, Malbranque, Diop, Boa Morte, John (Legwinski 71), McBride (Helguson 83), Radzinski.
Subs Not Used: Warner, Pearce.

Sent Off: Luis Boa Morte (2ndy 45,f).

Booked: Luis Boa Morte (17,f), Brian McBride (51,d), Papa Bouba Diop (82,f) .

Att: 23,144

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).