Match Reports

Dorrans Penalty wins the spoils for the Baggies

West Brom moved a step closer to the Premiership after a second 5 goal thriller with Blackpool this season. This was the fifth double for the Albion of the season and a mirror of the Bloomfield Road game earlier in the season. The last game was won by a debatable penalty and the same happened at the Hawthorns this afternoon.

Charlie Adam’s scored in the 12th minute before Ishmael Miller equalised a minute later and by half time there was only one team in the game, or so it seemed.

Koren put the Baggies in front in the 53rd minute, however, the Tangerines fought back and equalised through Brett Ormerod on 72 minutes. 6 minutes later, however, Dorrans fired home another penalty and Albion held on for all 3 points.

After Blackpool opened the scoring they had another chance almost from the kick off, however, seconds later Steven Reid’s header was cleared off the line and Albion started to take control. Miller’s pace allowed him to get the better of Tangerines defender Rob Edwards and reach Chris Brunt’s pass and he put the ball through the legs Matt Gilks in to the back of the net.

Jonas Olsson had a header come back off a post but neither Reid or Miller could get the ball to score.

Giles Barnes replaced James Morrison when the teams came back out. Koren hit a 25 yards shot over the bar when Brunt was in a far better position in the 52nd minute, however, he made up for it just 80 seconds later from more or less the same position. That was the Slovenian’s second goal in 2 games.

On the hour Miller was replaced by Roman Bednar and from this point Blackpool started to get a foothold back in to the game. Miller was looking very tired and the lack of games was obviously showing through. In the 72nd minute they got their reward when Brett Ormerod headed of the underside of the bar and the ball smashed in to the back of the net from an Adams cross.

Just 6 minutes later, history repeated itself when the Albion were awarded a decisive penalty that Blackpool were very unhappy with. It was certainly no clear cut penalty, however a penalty it was and Graham Dorrans happily scored from the spot. That was more or less it, Albion closed the game down and held on to gain all 3 points.

This win saw them claw to within 4 points of Newcastle who have a game in hand, but more importantly see’s the Albion go 5 points clear of Forest who lost this afternoon, meaning Albion have their promotion chances down to their own performances now. Albion now need to do better than Forest in 10 of their 11 remaining games and they will most likely be in the premiership.

Bristol City West Brom Match Report

The BBC were at Ashton Gate for the the first time in years today, however, after being housed in a Gazebo it is unlikely that they will return any time soon.

On 7 minutes Bednar should have been awarded a penalty after a fair tackle that was followed by the City player holding his leg forcing him to the deck, the ref waved play on.

A messy clearance saw the ball rebound of Albion players twice, the final rebound off Zuiverloons posteria going out and conceding a corner.

Elliot is spending many minutes trying to wind up Dorrans, with off the ball headlocks and all sort. Dorrans although getting quite vocal is holding his cool.

City are finding it easy to push down the right wing and Mattock’s is no match for pace there.

On 16 minutes Dorrans breaks free in the box with the ball, however, under pressure is unable to hit the target. At the other end, on 20 minutes Clarkson breaks free in the Albion box but fails to trouble Scott Carson. Soon after Haynes takes the ball off Koren and the resulting attack sees the online Iwelumo put Carson under severe pressure to make a decent diving save. It would of been on all Albion fans minds that the Wolves player would be the one to score.

On 22 minutes Brunt moves to the left to cover the shortcomings of Mattock who is clearly under pressure and unable to match the pace shown by the City players. 23 Minutes Brunt crosses from the right and Bednar goes very very close to breaking the deadlock.

24 minutes and a poor clearance by City see’s Dorran’s free some 7 yards out on the right hand side, he fires home off the far post.

City are not going to lie down, however, going straight on the attack from the KO. Bednar finds the ball in exactly the same place as Dorran’s was when he scored, however, he was not so good and a weak shot was easily saved by Ghurkin.

On 35 minutes the ball runs off a flailing Tamas’s arm and the ref awards an unfair free kick but a 6 man wall is good enough to deflect Clarksons shot and the Albion clear. 37th minute see’s Tamas making a very poor back pass forcing Carson to rush out and boot the ball in to the orbit over Bristol.

the 38th minute sees Haynes with the bal on the edge of the Albion box, however, a poor effort see’s the ball fired wide of the Albion post.

After 40 minutes City have had 8 attempt’s on goal to Albion, 6 but the Albion look the more likely to score again. Just in to the added minute Albions Nouble has to rush back and concede a corner, however, nothing comes of it and Albion are looking to be well on the way to adding to their 31 points from 16 away games.

Straight from the break City attack and claim a penalty when Tamas is thought to have hand balled, the ref makes the right decision and says play on.

48 Olsson is booked for high studs, although they were not so high as to be dangerous. 49th minute see’s Bednar called offside when clear.

52 minutes and City have a corner which Albion eventually clear and counter attack.

In the 54th minute City get another corner and the Wolves loanee scores, however, replays show that there was a hand ball and the goal should not stand. Instant substitution, Nouble makes way for Slory.

Since the break it is a different game altogether, City are by far the better team. 4 minutes after the equaliser, Johnson scores(his first of the season) an easy tap in after Haynes breaks down the right again. Mattock does not seem able to cope. Johnson is booked for ove zealous celebrations.

In the 61st minute of the season Koren is replaced by Cox. Mattock’s is made to look very poor again by Haynes and Carson is forced to intercept a cross that would otherwise have been a sure goal with 2 City strikers on hand to tap in.

In a rare Albion break on 64 Cox shoots just wide but City have taken control now. They have the measure of the Albion who seem flustered and very frustrated now. All the fifty fifty’s are going the way of the Cider Boys.

In the 73rd minute Haynes leaves Mattock’s on his bottom and looking a fool but his subsequent cross comes to nothing.

Chris Woods comes on in the 79th minute to replace Zuiverloon and the Albion go to 3 at the back, perhaps hoping to capitalise on City’s normal dodgy bad last 10 minutes.

Brunt gets booked after 81 minutes and City are mauling Albion really badly. What a change a half makes.

Dorrans is forced to limp off on 85 minutes leaving the Albion a man down for a whole 3 minutes of the climax to this game. Bedanar gets a yellow for a foul on Fontain, however, it seems he was after his revenge as the guy had just clobbered him around the back of the head.

Sproulle replaces Haynes and he too makes Mattock’s look very slow, leaving him for dead on 2 occasions.

3 minutes left and five added on when Bednar breaks free forcing a corner of the keepers knee, the corner comes to nothing.

Tamas forces another corner, however, Brunts right in swinger is headed wide by Bedanr.

City are getting very nervous in the last 5 minutes, however, still manage a few breaks. Cox is forced to concede a foul and a yellow card for the greater good when City break 3 against 2.

Albion had a few more attacks that came to nothing and City then started to waste time. They had done enough and were by far the better team in the 2nd half.

Albion had lost unusually and City had won, a complete turnaround of form.

Reading Albion Match report FA Cup 5th Rnd

The magic of the FA Cup certainly made a showing today at the Madejski Stadium when Reading hosted the Baggies. Reading have fought against the odds to get this far and were certainly not lying down in the face of the Albion.

Reading winger Jimmy Kebe scored one of the fastest ever goals in the history of the FA Cup when Zuiverloon decided to play a mixture of keepy uppie and school boy foot ball straight from the Baggies kick off. You hardly expect to go behind in the first minute when slight favourites, yet alone go behind within 9 seconds when it is your kick off, however, that is exactly what the Baggies did. Di Matteo’s face was a picture as this happened and one can imagine the conversation between him and the defender will not be the friendliest.

Kebe scored after just nine seconds to kick start a thoroughly entertaining tie, seeing both sides reduced to 10 men in the second half.

The afternoon did not get of to the greatest of start’s for the Albion even before this early goal, as Slory, who was due to make his full debut injured himself in the pre match warm up. Robert Koren got the nod from Roberto Di Matteo at the last minute and was the player to get the first equaliser after making a perfectly timed run to be in the right position to stab home a perfect Brunt cross from the right. Between this goal and the Reading opener one could have easily expected it to be Readings afternoon, however, after this Albion seemed to take control. Bednar had a rocket shot saved when the keeper, Adam Federici, had no right to even try to save it and Koren also hit the post with another long range shot.

At half time Reading were still in the running to get a place in the last eight of the FA Cup for the first time since 1927. Then, however, striker Shane Long was dismissed in the 48th minute for an ugly stud first tackle on Abdoulaye Meite, hurting the defender, who still managed to confront him before being shoved away by Scott Carson running the width of his box to do so. Albion now began to pile on the pressure and looked likely to come away with the spoils, until that was, when Albion substitute Youssouf Mulumbu – who lasted just 16 minutes before seeing red, picked up his second yellow card.

The tie was still hanging in the balance now the teams were level again with 10 men each when Grzegorz Rasiak released Simon Church, who was lucky only for the fact that the 2 centre backs had decided to play for offside when they should really just have defended. The first attempt was saved by Carson who threw a hand up from a prostate position on the floor, before Church netted the loose ball that Carson could not hold on to.

With just 4 minutes of normal time left Baggies left-back Joe Mattock arranged a replay at the Hawthorns for Wednesday week, when thundering in a brilliant angled shot in 86th minute to end it 2 each.

Speaking after the game both managers were a little cautious, however, slightly harsh about the 2 sendings off.

“He’s gone for the ball. The referee makes those decisions. I don’t,” said a puzzled McDermott.

and

“I’m not allowed to talk about it,” remarked an unimpressed Roberto Di Matteo.

Blackpool 2 West Brom 3 match highlights

For 20 minutes neither team could take the game by the horns and it was free kick after free kick for either team. By the 25th minute Blackpool took the lead with a shot from Keith Southern, this was not really showing a fair scoreline as neither team deserved the lead and one just knew that an Albion equaliser was due within minutes.

Well Roman Bednar proved this point on 29 minutes, when his shot was on target beating the keeper. The next ten minutes passed and still neither team could really say they had the advantage. It was still pretty close when on the 40th minute up popped Bednar again, his shot was again on target and beat the Tangerines keeper quite easily.

West Brom now took control and continually troubled Blackpool with endless shots and chances but the half time whistle saw them go in with just a 1 goal advantage, probably a fair scoreline considering how close the first 40 minutes had been.

Anwele Story came on for Jerome Thomas on 53 minutes and Albion continued to control the game, it was only time before they extended their lead even though Blackpoool were having the odd chance. On 65 minute Bednar was replaced by Miller and the Albion are still in control. The first half saw Bednar as Albions key player, however, the second half has been a star performance for Dorrans.

From around the 70th minute Blackpool start getting the upper hand and looked likely to get an equaliser, partly down to Albions nerve cracking and Blackpool’s determination in front of their home fans. On 80 minutes the equaliser came from Dobbie when Rob Edwards managed to get the ball in to the box from a throw in.

Albion fans, players and Di Matteo alike, were cursing and could have easily settled for a draw or given in completely as many team would have done to such a high flying in form team.

Blackpool were in complete control, however, when Albion managed to get on the attack in the 83rd minute, Miller was brought down in the box. Up steps Dorrans with only 1 goal out of his last 2 penalty’s. Would the Albion youngster be able to keep his nerve?

He sure did and the Albion were back in front with only 7 minutes to go.

It was cue the kitchen sink time and Blackpool certainly did so, Albion were under siege but managed to keep their nerve and run out 3 – 2 winners with all three points. This places the Baggies back in the guaranteed promotion spot.

Last gasp Brunt saves the night for Albion.

A Chris Brunt injury time goal gave West Brom a deserved point against Ipswich at Portman Road, Albion certainly did not deserve to lost this one.

On a night of great football there was almost 40 shots on goal with the result of a 1 1 draw quite deceiving. Both sides will feel the result is unfair, although without a doubt, the Mariners will feel more cheated than Albion.

Graham Dorrans was again showing how good he is and was the engine in the Albion,s midfield. He was involved in most of Albion’s attacking play, both for delivery and shots too.

Bednar could have had a hat trick before the break, missing 3 decent chances, the best where the Ipswich keeper brought him down 1 on 1 in the box. How a penalty and a red card did not come in to the equation only the ref will know. In typical of late Albion fashion, however, had it not been for Scott Carson being top of his form there would have been a goal deficit too.

Olsson appeared to have won an ariel delivery in to the Albion box with 20 minutes to go when beating Delaney, however, even the Ipswich fans were a little surprised when a penalty was awarded. Grant Leadbitter gave Carson little chance from the spot.

West Brom responded immediately, bringing on Ishamel Miller, however, Ipswich were now going to defend for their lives and moved all but a lone striker in to their own half. They did get a few more chances, however, Albion did not.

The, in the third minute of injury time, Ipswich failed to clear a corner, Simon Cox a late sub had a great shot that was blocked, and in the ensuing scramble, Brunt was able to push the ball in to the net.

Nothing unusual in this though, as Roy Keanes men seem to concede more late goals than anyone else in the league.

Ipswich (4-4-2): Lee-Barrett; Rosenior, McAuley, Delaney, Wright (Balkestein 72); Peters, Norris, Leadbitter, Colback; Stead (Priskin 79), Counago (Edwards 65).
Subs: McLoughlin, Garvan, Martin, John.
Booked: Lee-Barrett, Leadbitter.
West Brom (4-5-1): Carson; Jara, Olsson, Tamas, Cech; Thomas (Teixeira 76), Dorrans, Mulumbu (Cox 80), Koren (Miller 68), Brunt; Bednar.
Subs: Kiely, Mattock, Zuiverloon, Martis.
Booked: Dorrans, Mulumbu, Olsson.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Nuneaton).

West Brom 4 Newcastle 2

First half goals by Olsson and a Dorrans penalty started the four two win for Albion, however, Newcastle made the best star to the 2nd half when striker Andy Carroll pulled a goal back on 62.

Things turned back Albions way when full-back Ryan Taylor was dismissed 19 minutes from time for tripping Jerome Thomas in the box.

Dorrans made no mistake from the spot this time bagging Albion’s third and 5 minutes later Thomas put the tie firmly beyond United’s reach with his first and Albion’s 4th.

Carroll pulled a consolation back by poking home from close range in the first minute of stoppage time.

The result see’s the Albion in the draw for the next round and able to concentrate on the league without the little needed problem of a replay.

Albion came out easy winners this afternoon and have certainly broken the home game hoodoo that they suffered with lately more so, but all season too. Hopefully now they will have the confidence to overall the Toon at the top of the table and go on to win the Championship.

Albion Newcastle report

Peter Lovenkrands dedicated the goal which keeps Newcastle on track for promotion to his late father after he capped an emotionally draining week.

The former Rangers striker was expected to miss Monday night’s clash with third-placed West Bromwich following his father’s death in Denmark. But he made a surprise return and scored the second equaliser – his fourth goal in a week – to earn a point.

Lovenkrands, who scored an FA Cup hat-trick against Plymouth last Wednesday, looked to the heavens and fought back the tears as he celebrated his third league goal of the season in the 54th minute.
He said: ‘It is a bit surreal. It is still emotional but I am just so pleased we got a point and I got a goal for my dad. It means a lot. I dedicated that goal to my father. It was a very difficult decision to play but my dad was a very big football fan and he would have wanted me to do this and I didn’t want to let him down. I felt I wanted to do it for him.’

Manager Chris Hughton, whose side remain six points ahead of Albion and three ahead of Nottingham Forest with a game in hand, said: ‘Lovenkrands deserves immense credit. We left the decision up to him. We are very much behind him and his family but he wanted to play and for him to get a goal – the equalising goal at that -shows great credit to him and also shows the spirit we have here.’

Roberto Di Matteo’s Albion side twice took the lead at St James’ Park, where Newcastle remain unbeaten this season, and they looked on the verge of their first victory there for more than 30 years until Lovenkrands’ second-half strike.

In a full-blooded and thoroughly entertaining scrap between two of the sides relegated last season, West Bromwich took the lead through Jonas Olsson after 14 minutes when he was allowed to touch home a cross from the excellent Graeme Dorrans past Steve Harper.

Danny Guthrie cancelled that out 11 minutes later, placing a delightful free-kick over Yousuff Mulumbu in Scott Carson’s wall after the Rwanda midfielder had brought down Shola Ameobi. But a mere 32 seconds into the second half Roman Bednar put the visitors back in front with another simple goal.

Fabricio Coloccini, the rock on whom Newcastle’s Championship charge has been based, was most at fault after he failed to deal with another cross from the lively Dorrans.

Bednar rose comfortably above Coloccini to head at Harper, who touched the first effort on to the bar with his legs, only for Bednar to nonchalantly nod the ball over the supine keeper.

Read more:at the Mail

Derby Albion report

West Brom lost ground at the top of the Championship after being held to a 2-2 draw by Derby.

The Baggies had looked set to steal all three points after coming from behind to lead 2-1 thanks to late goals from Simon Cox and Graham Dorrans.

But Derby, who had opened the scoring through Paul Dickov, were not to be denied and DJ Campbell grabbed an equaliser deep into stoppage time.

Derby started brightly and carved out an early chance when Lee Croft got clear down the right and his cross just evaded Rob Hulse who was arriving in the six-yard box.

Cox soon responded for Albion with a snap shot from 10 yards out that struck Stephen Bywater. The Derby keeper knew little about it.

Cox then tried his luck with an effort from long range that went narrowly wide.

Albion were fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men when Dorrans reacted angrily to a strong challenge from Robbie Savage on the half-hour mark.

The Scot got up and appeared to kick Savage in the chest but referee Darren Deadman only produced a yellow card.

Scott Carson parried a close range effort from Hulse in the 39th minute when County’s leading scorer seemed certain to notch his seventh goal of the season from Gary Teale’s free-kick.

Breakthrough

But there was nothing Carson could do to keep out Dickov’s shot three minutes later.

Read the rest of this report at Sky Sports

Cider Boys defeated as easy as crushing apples

In a game that threatened to put a stop to the Albions winning run, a match that pitted one of the best form teams in the division against  a bouyant Albion, the Baggies pointed out within 12 minutes that the winning streak was to continue.

West Brom massacared Bristol City 4-1 to climb above Newcastle at the Championship summit, although the Toon have a game in hand.

Much of the damage was done inside the first 12 minutes as Jerome Thomas and Chris Brunt both fired home.

A Louis Carey own goal and Simon Cox’s second Championship goal of the season then killed off any hope Bristol City had at the start of the second half, before Paul Hartley netted a consolation in the 83rd minute.

The teams were welcomed on the pitch by very typical British autumn weather, the Black Country was awash, with rain and wind swirling around The Hawthorns. The crowd of over 23,000 were kept warm if not dry by a very entertaining match, although 3,000 of them were doomed to a sad journey back to the cider fields of Bristol.

Gianni Zuiverloon had to clear Cole Skuse’s effort off the line in the 3rd minute, but a fresh Albion side counter atacked at speed and opened the scoring at the other end just 30 seconds later.

Thomas rounded off a sweeping move as he cut in from the left before firing a fierce shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Scott Carson was forced to tip Carey’s header over the crossbar before Brunt doubled West Brom’s lead with just 12 minutes gone.

Scotland midfielder Graham Dorrans found his Northern Irish team-mate with a great throughball and he rounded Dean Gerken before firing home from an acute angle to put the home side in control.

Chances

But Carson was soon called upon to deny the lively Nicky Maynard before Dorrans himself side-footed wide from close range when he really should have put the result beyond doubt.

Chances were coming at either end as City midfielder Hartley then lashed a free-kick inches wide and, with the visitors more than holding their own, the difference at the half-time interval proved to be Albion’s ability to take their chances.

But if the game was still somewhat in the balance at the break then it was all over just two minutes after the restart.

Cox picked up the ball and sent a shot goalwards, which appeared to be going wide, until Carey stepped in to intercept and could only fire the ball into his own net.

Albion were threatening a rout as they made it 4-0 just 53 seconds later – Cox sliding in to convert Marek Cech’s cross from close range and put his name on the scoresheet.

From then on in it was a case of going through the motions for Albion, with Zuiverloon failing to pull the trigger when in a great position to make it 5-0 while Danny Haynes wasted a good chance at the other end.

But the Robins did grab a consolation in the 83rd minute through Hartley’s stunning free-kick, which deserved to be worth more.

The Albion enjoyed a series of superb performances throughout the team – Brunt, Cox, Jara and Zuiverloon were all on top of their game, helping the Albion once again pull clear of the play-off contenders.

Joe Mattock was stretchered off before the break with a foot injury and will undergo xrays this evening to find out the extent of the injury.

Todays four goals took Albion’s total to 11 in three games and sees them top of the Coca-Cola Championship scoring table with 35 from 17 games.

ALBION (4-4-2): Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Mattock (Cech 30), Brunt, Jara, Dorrans (Mulumbu 57), Thomas, Moore, Cox (Koren 78). Subs not used: Kiely, Wood, Martis, Teixeira.

CITY (3-5-2): Gerken, Carey, McCombe, Nyatanga, Skuse, Elliott (Johnson 78), Sno (Clarkson 78), Hartley, McAllister (Williams 17), Maynard, Haynes. Subs not used: Basso, Fontaine, Sproule, Saborio.

GOALS: ALBION – Thomas (3), Brunt (12), Cox (46, 48). CITY – Hartley (83).

BOOKINGS: ALBION – Cox (simulation 78).

Ref: Michael Oliver (Northumberland).

ATTENDANCE: 23,444.

Freak kick and excershot win Baggies the points

The Baggies walked away from todays game at Leicester with all three points, the 3 points were literally won in the first half by a freakishly lucky freekick and such a powerful shot that it appeared to head for goal in a similar way that a missile heads for its target.

Jara’s goal, Albions 2nd made him the 15th different Albion scorer this season, it was a scorching shot from all of 3o yards after he had burst through from his own half. The shot powered through many bodies avoiding all obstacles and hit the back of the net with much velocity.

Albion never looked anything other than the victors in the first thirty minutes with the majority of the possession, two superb chances falling to Luke Moore, whom true to his self could not convert them. Moores first chance came when Dorrans set him free with a through ball and he burst off from Wayne Brown only to hesitate, leaving Brown the Foxes left back chance to get back and block Moores weak effort.

On 18 minutes Moore had an even more clear cut chance when Brunt fired a long high ball down the line that reached Zuiverloons feet who managed to fight for some space before pulling the ball back for Moore. Moore chose to put his shot too close to the Leicester keeper and another chance went begging.

These misses and Albion not taking the advantage despite their golden 30 minutes spurred the Foxes on to fight their way back in to the game, however, they were stunned by 2 great goals in the final 9 minutes of the half.

A Mathew Oakley foul on Jerome Thomas allowed for Dorrans to hit a weird and freakish free kick from 20 yards that weaved its way through the mass of players just resting in the net as it finished its momentum! Certainly will not be the best free kick that the Scottish youngster ever takes, but it sure counted for a goal.

Just 4 minutes Later Jara pops up to hit the second and seemingly kill off the game before the halfway point.

Leicester should have been level within a minute of the restart, as Matty Fryatt beat Jonas Olsson and Jara to cross for  Paul Gallagher, who missed a very easy chance from all of 6 feet. Before the hour mark both Brunt and Thomas came close to wrap the game up but both missed their golden opportunities. Moore missed another chance with 9 minutes left too.

As the game went in to its death the Foxes piled on the pressure and showed why they are so high up the table, forcing the Albion into a very deep and defensive position. With 5 minutes shown on the fourth officials board they fought desperately and managed to get 1 goal back when Gallagher had a free kick that Carson could not hold on too, allowing Berner to knock in the rebound. Albion defended really well, however, and deservedly kept the ball out of the net for a second time allowing them to keep up the pressure on top placed Newcastle whom also won.

Baggies Swansea live 60 second updates

A bright start by both with early chances for both teams, Swansea having the better of the two chances in the first minute.

Zuiverloon has been shown as showing a few weaknesses in the opening 5 minutes or so and been subject to a talking to by the 4th official for some reason too.

Swanseas Dyer smashes a shot well over on 5 minutes. Dyer now breaks down the right at some good pace putting the Albion under pressure by beating mattock, however, Mulumbu was on hand to force a goal kick.

Dorrans takes a shot that is close after some good pace shown by the Scottish Youngster, however, it is weak and off target.

Albion have a freekick on 12 minutes with Cech looking to beat the wall, however, Dorrans surprises everyone by taking the kick and blasting well over again.

Counter attack by Swansea sees Beattie forcing Scott Carson to give away a throw in.

Zuiverloon feeds Moore who makes very little of it and returns to Zuiverloon who loses it allowing another counter attack.

Dyer runs at Mattocks again, however Mattocks is up for it this time and clears.

Painter feeds a few attacks down the line and seems to have the better of the Albion.

Cech gets caught offside on the touchline in the 18th minute, surely he should be able to gauge that better?

Young Criss Woods is not holding the ball up too well and drops Zuiverloon in to trouble forcing him to give away a cheap free kick.

Thomas feeds Moore, who again loses the ball giving Swansea another break which culminates in an offside on the edge of the box.

Thomas is felled in the area on 20 minutes, however, Mr D’Urso waves away the claims to what looked like a certain penalty.

Van Der Gun is found in the box, however, forced out by Olsson and Albion win a throw in.

Painter feeds Beattie down the left who returns it to Painter, then back to Gower and back to the keeper.

An open game so far and chances at both ends, however, Albion have the better chances but cannot capitalise on them.

Zuiverloon takes a throw in 20 yards in to the Swansea half and the ball bounces around a few players before Dorrans ends up in a shooting position that he fluffs once again.

Gower and Dyer swop wings to add a bit of confusion to the Albion on 25 minutes.

Albion need a goal to settle themselves, however, Swansea are not giving in just yet.

Thomas with a freekick 20 yards out and again it is wasted, not even on target.

Swansea come back on to the attack led by Gower, however, a hand ball is allowed when Thomas takes the ball and breaks. He gives the ball away soon after.

Zuiverloon takes a throw in 2 thirds into the Swansea half, which is then run out for a further throw in. Zuiverloon takes it, it gets passed back and he tries to attack the goal but is beaten to the ball.

Carson takes a goal kick and passes straight to Woods who chests it down, however, is deemed to have fouled. Swansea attack from the freekick, pass down the right wing to Dyer, who sends it in along the touch line to Beattie who forces a tremendous save from Carson.

Bomber Brown reckons Albion are flat tonight and need to come to life or may suffer.

Mulumbu to Dorrans, to Mattock back to Dorrans who tries to thread it through to moore without sucess. Swansea counter.

Jara sends ball through to woods, who seems bereft of an idea of what to do with it.

33 minutes see Di Matteo having an unusual moan at the 4th official.

Albion attack once again and Wood has an easy chance from 6 yards, however, puts it over the bar.

Dorrans and Mulumbu play well together and pass the ball back and forth before Marcus Painter takes Thomas out when he gets the ball and painter see’s the yellow card.

Albion seem top heavy on the right hand side and need to force some issues on the left.

Zuiveloon gets a great touch to stop a certian Swansea chance by giving away a left hand corner at the brummie rd end.

The corner is intercepted by Luke Moore who forces a terrific save from Carson with probably the best shot he has made this season. Shame it was the wrong direction, however, good job it was saved so well.

Beattie is really up for it tonight, playing much better than he ever played for the Albion.

Gower passes through to Van Der Gunn leaving Albion in all sorts of trouble, however, Van Der Gunn puts it well wide when he had just an open goal to beat.

Albion get out of jail there.

Woods again shows hi age and inexperience with another fluffed chance.

Dyer goes down in the Albion area, however, the ref says it was too easy and waves play on.

Jara relieves Beattie of the ball and passes on to Dorrans who plays a 1 2 with Mulumbu, however, sloppily they lose the ball.

Gower flys down the right to be met by Olsson and beats him, however, Zuiverloon clears.

Albion are giving the ball away too easy.

Painter on the outside plays the ball back to defence, they pass it around on 44 minutes before making an attack and claim a corner.

Gower takes the corner and Williams forces a punched clearance.

1 minute to be added on

A long ball forward to Moore sees him try to hook the keeper placing it just wide.

Beattie runs down the right with the ball as the ref blows for half time.

Lets hope the Baggies come out with a little more venom in the 2nd half.

No changes for the second half so far, although no sign of Koren and Teixiera is doing some stretches.

Moore and Cech are still not out and news that Newcastle are losing should give albion a boost.

Teixiera and Koren replace Cech and Moore.

Koren is playing off Woods, and immediatelly sends Wood on the attack but he is easily dispossesed.

Thomas runs hard at the Swans but runs into a brickwall winning a free kick.

Thomas takes freekick putting it straight in to the box to be cleared by beattie.

Albion again get theball in thebox only for Williams to clear it.

Dorrans picks up a loose ball passing it back to carson.

Carson sends the ball out to Jara on to Mattocks then thomas and given away.

Albion look more up for it now and in control.

Dorrans gets caught in possession in the swansea half and a swansea counter is snubbed out by Jara.

Koren goes on the march, however, runs in to trouble.

Its wave wave after wave of Albion attacks.

Then Beattie gets free with the ball and scores an easy goal.

A really bright start goes wrong for the baggies, however they go straight back on the attack with Mulumbu and Koren, ball ends up with Zuiverloon who cross is met by the arms of the keeper.

Albion are not for giving up.

Swansea get an attack with 4 against 3, however, Van Der Gunn gives the ball away.

Albion seem to be falling apart having reacting well initially to the goal conceded.

Thomas finds the ball on the half way line and breaks forcing a save form the keeper.

The Hawthorns is alive with the sound of music, sadly its Welsh voices doing the singing.

Beattie and Prattly work an attack, however, Carson is good enough to cope with a weak shot.

Swansea look in control and a yard quicker than the Albion. Albion are falling back too deep and wanting to pass the ball around.

Tiexiera knock the ball past a swansea right back, however, is brought down and awarded a free kick which comes to nothing. Koren returns the favour on Gower giving a free kick away.

Thomas and the 2 subs seem to be making progress and the only likely suspects to make anything happen.

Dorrans sends tiexiera down the right but he has no support and loses it.

Wood finds himself free in front of goal and forces a punched clearance for a corner even though the albion had 2 offside players.

Albions Zuiverloon sends the corner in, williams clears to mulumbu, however, again nothing comes of it.

Koren to dorrans to mattocks down the left and in towards dorrans but the keeper intercepts a lazy ball.

Dorrans picks out Zuiverloon down the right who feeds it in to the box and a real chance is cleared by tate.

Dyer heads down the right and appears to go out of player, however the ref waves play on.

Butler is coming on to replace dyer and swansea seem to be putting the shutters down now.

Albion will do well to get anything from this now, with the shutters down and no real goal getters on the pitch, perhaps they should send olsson up front.

Mulumbu and teixiera work well down the right until mulumbu runs the ball out.

Mulumbu attack again with a decent spell of pressure, however, no sign just yet. Although Tiexiera forces another corner.

Butler eventually smashes away the right wing corner after albion find no real way to creat a solid opportunity.

Van Der gunn races down the right with butler on the end of his croos, however, carson does enough to force him to concede a throw in.

Koren shhots but cleared of the line, swansea break but not far and koren has another chance until he is fouled and the ref stops a great opportunity by not allowing play to carry on.

Free kick from dorrans.

Popped in but headed out by swansea and albion try again without success. 22 mins to go.

Mulumbu breaks finds woods who shoots but no power and the keeper easily grasps the ball.

Wrangel puts the ball off thomas for a throw in, however, albion get the ball back and gain a free kick.

Mulumbu, mattock and zuiverloon work it though the midfield to wood, however, it puts him in trouble and he gives the ball away. Its just too much for a 17 year old to cope with.

Tiexiera runs at the right of the swansea defence, crosses and forces a left wing corner.

Albion appeal for another penalty as the defender nearly catches the corner without a result. The ref seems not to want to give much away here.

Albion are surely only minutes away from a goal. Young Cox is about to come on, but for whom?

Allen on for gower for the swans and cox on for mattocks.

Butler fouled by wood in the albion half and swans stutter to take the free kick.

Cox gets a first touch with a very good chance, shoots and hits it just wide of the post.

Tiexiera delivers a cross in but butler smashes it out for a free kick.

Thomas goes past wrangel, however, runs the ball out and looks like he his fouled inn the process, however, penalty shout number 3 goes without success.

Prattley fouls thomas and gets a booking for the pleasure.

Another swansea goal kick with 20 mins left.

22,000 is the reported attendance.

Thomas again fouled by rangel.

Games goes a little quiet but gets busy again with a long range effort from butler.

Albion need this win for a gap at the top of the table.

Mulumbu loses the ball to williams who chases the ball with tiexiera and albion clear. Only to williams who runs at the albion who easily disposses him.

Thomas get the ball goes on the break, however, runs it out on 82 minutes.

Jara fouls richards gaining a yellow card.

Scott carson catches the ball from off beatties head

It is looking more and more like the top two both losing, however, have albion got what it takes to change this?

Swansea throw in towards beattie but albion get the ball back and mulumbu breaks passing to tiexiera who loses the ball.

Jara feeds thomas in the area who crosses only for it to be headed clear.

Jara feeds zuiverloon who loses it and butler breaks and forces carson to push it off the post and out.

Swansea are looking more likely now although jara feeds tiexiera who runs along the by line crosses but very poorly and its a goal kick.

Albion throw in level with the box near the woodman corner

Olsson flicks it on but butler clears

Jara gets it in the box but butler clears again

Thomas get a good shot but puts it in to the side netting

3 mins added time left.

Albion have a throw in on the left, 2 mins left, jara to dorrans to jara to thomas for another throw in

Jara gets it in to olsson who heads it down and woods has an easy chance but puts it wide

Dorrans fouls and loses albion the imputus although it seems the albion just had their chance

The whistle goes and the sound of boos ring out around the hawthorns after a bad display against a side that were 16th in the table.

This was not the display that is expected of a table topping club. Pretty football destroyed by a swansea team that came with a mission and out foxed the Albion.

Albion are short again of strike power and cannot rely on a second rate moore, and 2 youngsters in cox and woods.

Di Matteo will not be a happy chappie!

Preston West Brom match highlights

A clean sheet was the very least required by Roberto Di Matteo at Preston, this would at the very least stop Preston from going above the Albion, however, a clean sheet had been missing for the last three games. In the end a goalless draw was galvanised and allowed Albion to keep the second spot during the international break.

The game offered very little in decent chances, however the Baggies had the majority of the few. Dorrans hit the post in the 14^th minute and had that gone ion we may have seen a different result, it may have given the Albion the imputes to go on and win the game. The young Scottish attacking midfielder was probably the only player on the pitch that could claim to have made a keeper make a save in what was a very tight game. This is nothing out of the ordinary as the Albion have been trying for over 50 years to leave Preston with all of the spoils.

Perhaps Di Matteo’s three changes made the difference in this game.  Abdoulaye Meite made his first league start in six months, Marek Cech was back from injury and Gonzalo Jara was also given a place in a five-man midfield. Making way were Shelton Martis, Robert Koren and Chris Wood, who all dropped to the bench.

Albion’s first move was when Chris Brunt took a quick throw-in to Dorrans , the Scot turned sharply finding Marek Cech out wide on the left. He tried to return the favour with a great ball back into the box which Mawene just managed to intercept.

Next moment of any interest was in the 13^th minute when Chris Sedgwick took a quick corner to Ross Wallace who made Dorrans look silly on the edge of the box before he too made him self look silly by sending his shot wide when he should have netted easily.

In the 14^th minute when Dorrans forced a tremendous save from the Lily Whites keeper Roman Bednar was ready for the rebound but he could not keep his effort on target, no doubt down to the most awkward of bounces as he struck the ball. Brunt and Zuiverloon both had shots deflected by Nolan pretty soon after Bednars miss but still no breakthrough was found. Ex Albion favourite Richard Chaplow managed to block an effort by Jara and it was looking very much like whatever happened the deadlock was never to be broken.

Although Albion have been the stronger side of the first period they almost went in behind after a Wallace cross went inches wide from a Jones header.

In the first few minutes of the second half Albion were screaming for a penalty when Bednar was axed down by Neil Collins, however, referee Anthony Bates was having none of it.

Brunt limped off in the 59^th minute and unsure whether he would be making a return Di Matteo left Albion to play on with 10 men, eventually replacing brunt with Robert Koren some 5 or 6 minutes later.

Preston started to get a little freedom and were having a little more in the way of chances, mostly coming to Jones whom was mostly supplied by Wallace.

Man of the match Dorrans went agonisingly close again in the 77^th minute when Bednar knocked the ball back to the youngster who went on to beat Nolan before seeing Lonergan between the sticks push his powerful drive over the bar. Just after this, another ex Baggie in Darren Carter produced a 20 yard shot that was easily dealt with by Scott Carson

Albion were not going to give up and even in the dying seconds of injury time nearly stole the game. A Mattock cross to young Dorrans produced a floor bursting header superbly saved by Lonergan on the line.

Albion (4-4-1-1): Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Mattock, Brunt (Koren 60), Mulumbu (Martis 90+4), Jara, Cech (Reid 79), Dorrans, Bednar. Subs not used: Kiely, Barnett, Wood, Cox.

Ref: A Bates (Staffs).

Attendance: 11,180.

Albion Plymouth match highlights

Albion continued their unbeaten run when pulling back from behind against Plymouth.

Jamie Mackie gave Argyle a 12th minute lead making Albions job a hard task almost from the beginning.

Shelton Martis regained the parity when equalising in the 34th minute with his second goal of the season. This left the game there for Albions taking and take it they did.

Marek Cech scored at the end of the first half and again near the end of the game to gain all 3 points for the Baggies. Numerous other chances went begging and Cech would have had a hatrick had it not been for the ref dissallowing what looked a legal goal just after the break.

This result sees the Albion on an 8 game unbeaten run and top of the Championship table.

Cummings stay cut short

Shaun Cummings’ loan spell at Albion ended after the Chelsea defender joined Reading on a permanent basis. Signed in a rush last month as cover for Zuiverloon who suffered a hamstring, Cummings is maybe not needed anymore anyway with Zuiverloon returning to fitness and the arrival of Jara whom can also cover the position.

Cummings has made four appearances, helping to claim seven points from a possible nine in the Coca-Cola Championship and beat Rotherham in the Carling Cup second round.

Sheffield United Albion match highlights

A 7^th game unbeaten saw Albion hit the top of the table. The 4 goal draw at Sheffield puts the Baggies a point clear and there they will stay until at least Monday evening, when Newcastle could overall them if they beat Leicester.

Bednar showed his value with a brace, either side of a Ched Evans strike on 55 minutes. His goal seemed and should have given Albion victory, but for a debatable 87^th minute penalty that was converted by David Cotterill.

Albion were by far the better outfit and could easily have been more than a goal in front when the penalty was taken, the Hawthorns faithful will return home feeling a little robbed.

Apart from Bednars 2 goals, he has shown how fit and professional he is by coming through such a demanding game, playing all 90 minutes.

West Brom 4 Rotherham 3 AET

A Simon Cox goal for West Bromwich Albion in extra time sent Rotherham United crashing out of the Carling Cup in a seven goal thriller at The Hawthorns.

Cox pounced from 12 yards in the 117th minute after Chris Wood’s persistence paid off. League Two Rotherham who had twice battled back from a goal down took the lead themselves in extra time, however, the Albion proved to be the stronger team.

Reuben Reid had an eighth-minute shot blocked by keeper Andy Warrington before he played a role in Albion taking the lead. Beattie curled in a cross from the left wing, which ended up in the back of the net when Millers keeper just seemed to stand still on his line.
A costly miss by Bednar then allowed Rotherham to level just six minutes later, making it game on again. Bednar made up for his miss by setting up Dorrans, who made no mistake to give Albion a 2 to 1 lead at half time. 60 seconds later, however, Rotherham pulled it back to level when Pope placed a perfect header beyond the reach of kiely, this took the game in to extra time.

Pope looked to have sealed the victory for Rotherham in the 98th minute when Barnett muffed clearing a Ryan Taylor cross. Albion, however, showed that they too could come from behind, 3 minutes later Beattie scored the 6^th goal of the game and it looked like a penalty shoot out was on the cards. Simon Cox soon put told to that idea, however, when he netted 3 minutes from the end.

Albion 2 Ipswich 0 Match highlights.

A convincing two goal victory could have been even more so had it not been for Ipswich stopper Richard Wright, whom made endless terrific saves this afternoon at the Hawthorns. This was Albion’s first home victory under Roberto Di Matteo, giving Albion fans a sense of feeling that the Premiership will be on the horizon very soon.

Youssouf Mulumbu opened his Baggies account with a 25-yard strike that Pele would have been satisfied with, that was after only 10 minutes. Then the recalled Robert Koren finished off an excellent move with his opening goal of the season on 38 minutes. It was half time, the score was two goals to nothing, with a route on the cards.

Albion had many more chances throughout the game but Richard Wright was good enough to deny each and every one of them. He even managed a tremendous save from a weak Luke Moore penalty which was eventually cleared of the line when Moore went for the rebound.

The end result was a comfortable victory for a side that was by far the better team,  leaving Roy Keane to pick up the pieces from a very very bad start to the season. Keane will be left wondering where the points are to come from, Di Matteo, however, will be relishing the season with a view to managing in the premiership very soon.