West Brom visit Upton Park this weekend, for only the third time
since 1990, but surprisingly the Baggies have two wins out of two
from their previous trips.
A 1-0 defeat under the floodlights in 2002 put Glen Roeder's Hammers under further pressure, and almost two years to the day, one of the most unforgettable games, all be it for the wrong reasons, took place at Upton Park.
Three goals to the good, courtesy of Jermain Defoe and debutant Brian Deane, after only 18 minutes, was narrowed to 3-2 by half time, with Defoe taking an early shower. The unthinkable was then followed by the inevitable, when Deane hit the back of the net at the wrong end and Lee Hughes finally finished the job off for Albion.
Another memorable encounter at the Boleyn, featuring the Baggies, took place some years earlier - in April 1965. Brain Dear stole the show that day, with five goals in a 6-1 win for West Ham, Martin Peters netted the other.
It was a record breaking moment for 'Stag', the quickest ever five goals in one game. He did it in just 20 minutes, although it was either side of half time.
West Brom also visited Upton Park for the third round of the FA
Cup in 1980.
Stuart Pearson struck at the Hawthorns to earn West Ham United a
home replay, which they won 2-1. Goals from Geoff Pike and Sir
Trevor Brooking set the Hammers off on their long journey to
Wembley.
It's not the only cup encounter between the sides either. In 1966 the teams met in the League Cup Final, back when it was played over two legs. Johnny Byrne and a rare goal from Bobby Moore gave Ron Greenwood's side a 2-1 win at home, but they went down 4-1 in the second leg.
The very next year the midlands side put West Ham out of the same competition in the semi-final. Peters and Geoff Hurst scored to earn West Ham United a 2-2 draw at Upton Park, but they had already lost 4-0 away.