Super Eagles and West Brom defender Semi Ajay saw red against West Ham as ferocious Conor Townsend strike saw the Baggies to pip the Hammers  1-0 at the London Stadium, to move into the 5th round of the FA Cup.

West Brom went into the lead in the 9th minute and despite going down to ten men with Ajayi’s sending off  they held off their Premier League opponents.

Slaven Bilic made eight changes from the side that was beaten by Stoke City in the Championship on Monday, sticking true to his promise of rotation.

It was a noticeably stronger travelling squad than the one sent to Charlton in round three, with a bench including the likes of Jake Livermore and Kyle Bartley. West Ham meanwhile made four changes, with David Moyes surprisingly opting for a strong team despite their Premier League struggles.

Albion dominated right from the off and richly deserved their lead when Townsend smashed a strike across Darren Randolph before the 10 minute mark.  It could and should have been two before the break, Charlie Austin missing a glaring, headed chance as the first period wound down.

After being roundly booed off at half time, Moyes rang the changes, with first teamers Mark Noble, Michail Antonio and Angelo Ogbonna coming.

Read Also: FA Cup: Iheanacho’s goal helps Leicester pip Brentford

The changes had little impact as the Baggies continued to miss chance after chance. Before Semi Ajayi gifted the Hammers a route back into the game, when he was sent off with around 20 minutes to go for picking up two cautions.

West Ham threw men forward and Noble should have equalised in stoppage time but fired over from 10 yards as Albion moved into round five.