Mowbray: Fixtures have taken their toll

TONY MOWBRAY blamed a congested fixture list for West Brom’s failure to see off a determined Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The visitors, who could have moved top with a win, failed to build on Mark Hudson’s eighth-minute own-goal and squandered the lead midway through the first half when an unmarked Clinton Morrison pounced in the box.

“We’ve had two tough away games this week. I think it took its toll and we lacked edge and mental sharpness,” said Mowbray.