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Tony Pulis: Time was right for 'terrific' Rickie Lambert

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Tony Pulis hailed "terrific" Rickie Lambert after the striker inspired Albion's comeback to claim a point at West Ham.

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With the Baggies one down at Upton Park, Pulis introduced the veteran striker as a half-time substitute and within five minutes he had helped create the equaliser when his shot deflected off the hand of Hammers skipper Winston Reid.

The 33-year-old has seen his playing time limited since a £3million summer move from Liverpool and Pulis believes his performance in yesterday's 1-1 draw was just reward for his professional attitude.

"It was time for Rick," said the Baggies head coach. "He is a wonderful footballer.

"Since he's joined the club, he's not played as much football as he wants and that's my fault. I pick teams I think are going to win games.

"His attitude to training and the players and the young people at the football club is absolutely fantastic.

"He's a real throwback to the times when footballers cared about football and he cares about football and wants to play every minute.

"He's been a terrific signing for the football club, although he'll say 'I've not played as much as I would like'."

Lambert, with just one goal to his name for Albion thus far, expressed a desire to claim yesterday's strike which was credited as a Reid own goal.

"It's my goal," he said. "There is one angle (replay) and it is debatable but I don't know why it has not gone down as my goal. It's on target."

Lambert was instrumental in a much improved second half performance from Albion after a sluggish first half in which Mauro Zarate opened the scoring for the hosts, who dominated.

"I actually thought West Ham looked very nervous at the beginning and the goal settled them down," said Pulis.

"The way the first half went we were fortunate to get in the dressing room at 1-0," said Pulis. "We dusted a few things down, sorted a few things out."