Pulis praises Lambert

West Brom manager Tony Pulis has hailed the attitude of striker Rickie Lambert after their 1-1 draw with West Ham at Upton Park on Sunday.

The Baggies went behind early on to Mauro Zarate's free kick, but took a useful point off the Hammers when Winston Reid found his own net early in the second half.

"We desperately needed it when it came because we had allowed that first-half to pass us by," he admitted of the equaliser. "I thought we started quite well but that free-kick - a soft award in my view - really knocked us back and we went flat.

"We needed to get [the players] in and dust them down, get them re-focused. We were the better team after the break and I am little disappointed we haven't won it."

Pulis reserved special praise for Rickie Lambert after the 33-year-old came off the bench at halftime and provided the shot which deflected off Reid for the equaliser.

"I've got huge respect for Rickie, both as a footballer and a professional," Pulis added. "His ability is first class and so is his attitude. The lads love him and appreciate what he brings.

"Of course he's got the hump with me for not picking him but I expect that. But in every minute of training you cannot fault him and the way he goes about his business. It's been the same throughout his career and he is hugely respected, rightly so."