Manchester United fought back from a two-goal deficit to put their city rival's title celebrations on hold last weekend but there was no sign of that exuberant side during Sunday's league clash with the 'Baggies'.
The first half was rather a dismal showing for Jose Mourinho's side, who only had to avoid defeat to still be in with a mathematical chance of catching first place. Instead it was a 45 minutes in which both goalkeepers stole the show.
David De Gea was forced into action in the 11th minute, getting down low to deny Jake Livermore's strike whilst Ben Foster had two saves to make in quick succession shortly after.
United mounted their first serious attack of the game through Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez but both saw their attempts stopped by Foster's face and hands.
Apart from that, Michael Dawson headed a dangerous ball back into the area from a West Brom corner but none of his team-mates were on hand to turn it in.
It meant that both sides went into the break goalless with Mourinho bringing on Jesse Lingard during the interval, in place of Ander Herrera, to spark some life into the disappointing game.
The change nearly worked straight away as Dawson was forced to block a dangerous shot by Lingard, but following the chance, the match slipped back into a lacklustre affair until the 65th minute.
Foster was on hand again to maintain parity between the two teams, getting an important glove to a powerful header by Lukaku, and it would prove decisive as the deadlock was finally broken seven minutes later.
West Brom stole an unlikely lead from a set-piece. Nemanja Matic unfortunately headed an incoming corner back into the box on a plate for Jay Rodriguez to fire past a helpless De Gea.
The goal really shook the home side, who couldn't find the necessary equaliser despite attempts from Lukaku and Chris Smalling, as the 'Baggies' secured only their fourth league win of the season, their second in the past 30 games.
On the other hand, defeat at Old Trafford for United meant rivals City were mathematically confirmed as champions for the season, with the 16-point gap now impossible to overturn with just five games remaining.
It's back to the drawing board for Mourinho and his team.
15 April 2018