Albion 1 Fulham 1

The hurdle of winning in Europe has been overcome.

Beating Fulham in the Premier League remains there to be conquered.’

Albion should have done it at the seventh attempt and certainly looked on course to pass the latest post-Thursday test when Evan Ferguson passed the ball into the bottom corner on 26 minutes.

But there was no doubting whose fans were happier at the end after Joao Palhinha fired home to secure Fulham a point which was persevered in extremis at times.

There was an argument Palhinha was fortunate to be on the pitch after a flailing arm on Pascal Gross early in the game which did not provoke much reaction at the time but looked worse on replays.

Albion now go into a clear, non-European week – “we can have a holiday,” joked Roberto De Zerbi – after a result which their head coach felt was more frustrating than the performance.

As ever, De Zerbi made changes. Six personnel alterations to the XI this time, plus a change of shape.

Adam Lallana’s second start of the season, and first since the win at Manchester United, was the most notable.

But the sight of Albion in a back three as the opening minutes unfolded was also a surprise.

They should have had an early lead.

Not necessarily when Carlos Baleba curled a shot around Ferguson and Bernd Leno dived to his right to parry.

But certainly from the follow-up effort as Lallana chipped a tempting ball across goal and Simon Adingra was unable to beat the scrambling keeper from close range.

Baleba and Adingra shot off target as Albion, with Lallana prompting, played some nice stuff.

Super footwork from deep by Mahmoud Dahoud started a really nice attack but Kaoru Mitoma, on a wasteful afternoon, dragged his shot across goal.

In fact, it was closer to being a low cross for Ferguson.

More intentional service for the young Irishman brought the hosts the lead they deserved.

Igor started it with an interception and run. Gross continued the move and found Ferguson, and the striker turned smoothly before calmly passing the ball into the bottom corner.

Curiously, the hosts went off the boil after that.

Fulham came out of their shell but failed to make the most of some promising situations.

That was most clearly illustrated when Willian, with Adam Webster back-pedalling in front of him, opted to chip the ball across rather than drive forward or shoot and Bobby Decordova Reid volleyed his pass well over.

Lewis Dunk almost doubled the home lead early in the second period when his free-kick from just outside the box bounced off the crossbar.

But Fulham were level on 65 minutes with a fiercely struck shot by Palhinha after the hosts were hurried into an error looking to play their way out.

They were scrambling in vain once Gross failed to find Baleba, who was surrounded by pink shirts.

For a short while, the dazzlingly-clad visitors looked the most likely winners.

Jason Steele showed his reflexes to parry a close-range flick by Rodrigo Muniz.

But Albion rang changes and the midfield craft of Billy Gilmour helped them chase a win.

Ansu Fati was denied by Leno and Webster saw his header from a corner nodded off the line by Antonee Robinson.

Then, in the final seconds, Joao Pedro had an effort blocked in the goalmouth before Facundo Buonanotte sliced off target.

Quite how Albion should have won this is open to debate.

By exerting control after going ahead, by not making that error in possession or by grabbing the points with a big finish.

All are reasonable suggestions.

But they should have won it.