West Brom boss Alan Pardew: Jake Livermore must have been 'severely provoked' in altercation

Albion's midfielder had to be escorted down the tunnel at the London Stadium last night after an altercation with some West Ham fans in the second half.

The incident, which also involved other members of Albion's backroom staff, occurred when Livermore was brought off for a substitute and several stewards rushed over to separate the two parties.

Pardew confirmed the club would be investigating the incident and plans to ask Livermore for his version of events.

"The only thing I know is I see Jake in the crowd, which stirred me," said Pardew. "There is no way he's gone in unless he was provoked severely.

"Of course (we'll investigate it). I haven't had a chance to speak to Jake, I'll speak to Jake and we'll go from there."

Albion lost the game 2-1 thanks to a last-gasp Andy Carroll winner 11 seconds before the final whistle.

It leaves them second bottom and four points adrift of safety, and Pardew said fatigue played its part in a second-half turnaround after James McClean's superb solo effort gave them a first-half lead.

The Baggies had 48 hours in between games whereas West Ham had a whole week to prepare.

"Young Oli (Burke) has come on the pitch when we're under pressure to win but in that scenario I'd expect him to run it into the corner," said Pardew. "Maybe because we're under that pressure to win he stuck it in the box.

"It was a tough last 20 minutes once West Ham got an equaliser. We were really hanging in there, physically and mentally.

"It's heartbreaking for the players, it's difficult to offer them comfort.

"First half we were very good, second half we got tired mentally, rather than physically. I'm disappointed because they deserved something."

When Pardew was asked if the different preparation times affected the second-half, he said it certainly took its toll.

"It was very evident on the pitch," he said. "And then we lose Matt Phillips at the end of the warm up, my most influential player offensively.

"We're physically, and mentally tired from a two-day turnaround but still put in a good first half performance.

"I can't criticise my team in any way. In the last 20 minutes we were desperate, it's unfair, but there's nothing I can do about it."

Phillips was removed from the starting line-up as a precautionary after feeling his hamstring problem in the warm-up.