West Brom 0 West Ham 0: Gareth Barry on verge of Premier League history after equalling Ryan Giggs appearance record

Gareth Barry is on the verge of Premier League history after equalling Ryan Giggs’ appearance record, but this game is unlikely to live long in his memory.

When Barry finally brings down the curtain on his distinguished career this stalemate will barely register, after a dour spectacle unbefitting for such an achievement.

Barry will pass Giggs’ record of 632 appearances in the rebranded top-flight at Arsenal on Monday week and displayed his enduring quality here, providing the calm assurance amid the occasional chaos around him.

His midfield partner, Grzegorz Krychowiak, was also outstanding in only his second Albion appearance since signing on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, but this was not a game for the entertainers to flourish.

Albion head coach Tony Pulis was happy to focus on £1m summer signing Barry, who has become the first player to make 600 Premier League starts. Not even Giggs can claim that record. 

“His dedication and application towards his profession is absolutely fantastic,” said Pulis. “I’ve always been a great admirer of him and he is a bastion of this wonderful sport we play in. I hope our young players realise how lucky they are being around him.

“I am disappointed he is not just starting with us and is coming to the back end of his career. He could play for another two or three years the way he looks after himself.”

West Ham’s Slaven Bilic is now unbeaten in two games, ensuring his future does not dominate the headlines this week, and had good reason to feel aggrieved after West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster escaped a red card midway through the second half.

Andy Carroll’s flick had sent Javier Hernandez clear but Foster, rushing off his line, hacked him down and was only given a caution. There were few other highlights, with West Ham midfielder Pedro Obiang striking the bar with an outrageous effort from 45 yards in the first half which had Foster frantically back-pedalling.

West Ham now have three home games in a row to build on their recent improvement. Bilic said: “It wasn’t a great game of football but I have no complaints, it’s been a good week.”