West Bromwich Albion 2 - Arsenal 1

Dave Watkin:

Albion took some time to get into this game but from the half-hour mark they matched and then exceeded the more talented Londoners in determination and will to win, gaining a well deserved three points.

Time to be positive. Chris Kirkland gave a brilliant performance in goal without which Arsenal could have netted on at least half-a-dozen occasions. Everyone in the back four played well, with Martin Albrechtsen making strong runs down the wing, Curtis Davies and Neil Clement both making vital tackles and Paul Robinson leading by example. Steve Watson had probably his best game in an Albion shirt and both Ronnie Wallwork and Jonathan Greening played their part. Kanu was at times an inspiration, Kamara justified his selection with positive runs and a number of ball winning tackles, whilst Geoff Horsfield held the ball up well early on. Darren Carter netted our goal-of-the-season so far, Darren Moore was solid and Nathan Ellington looked sharp.

The manager's tactics were spot-on as we defended deep enough to prevent the Gunners using their pace to get behind our back four. The team and formation was close to that which I suggested in my last report. Today, I was calling for Nathan Ellington to replace the tiring Horsfield much earlier, but there's no denying that Bryan Robson's changes both prevented a second Arsenal goal and introduced the match winner. Whether Carter and Ellington did enough to earn themselves places in the starting line-up we shall see next week.

The Albion support was quiet in the early stages but great during the latter part of the second half, with brilliant interaction with the players at the end. However, I was ashamed to hear Wallwork booed before the start - that needs to stop.

TEAM NEWS

Bryan Robson kept an unchanged defence, but restructured midfield and attack. The side lined up in a 4-3-1-2 formation. Steve Watson replaced the injured Gera in midfield, whilst up front Geoff Horsfield and Diomansy Kamara played wide with Kanu taking a central role and Chaplow and Campbell both omitted.

HIGHLIGHTS

Albion won a couple of early corners which came to nothing, but in the 17th minute a goalbound shot from Bergkamp was well blocked by Robinson, earning the Gunners a flag kick. Reyes curled the ball in to the far post and SENDEROS beat off a strong challenge to volley home from close range.

Bergkamp almost doubled the lead a couple of minutes later when he curled in a shot which Chris Kirkland did well to tip over. It was not until midway through the half that Albion came close, as Paul Robinson latched onto a poor clearance and struck a powerful shot just over the bar. There were more chances for the Gunners and Kirkland had to be in top form to block a shot from Pires and then save another from Bergkamp with his legs.

The game's turning point came in the 38th minute when Kanu sprayed a pass wide to Martin Albrechtsen near the right hand corner flag. He swung in a searching cross and under pressure a defender could only head out as far as KANU. The Nigerian controlled and shot in one movement to hit the back of the net with a rising drive before any defender could move.

Albion began well after the break, building upon that late success in the first half, but their goal only remained intact thanks to a brilliant fingertip save from Chris Kirkland to touch a goalbound shot from Toure around the post. There followed a good spell from Arsenal and Kirkland was called upon to dive at the feet of Bergkamp, hold a Reyes free kick at full stretch and tip a rising drive from Fabregas over the bar.

Albion then made two changes in quick succession. Firstly Darren Carter came on as a straight replacement for Wallwork and then more controversially big stopper Darren Moore replaced Kanu. If the latter move was aimed at holding on for a point, the former more positive substitution certainly paid-off for the Baggies.

In the 76th minute neat interplay down the left between Carter, Greening, Robinson and Kamara led to the ball reaching DARREN CARTER centrally placed about twenty yards from goal. The ex-Blues man chested it down and then hit an unbelievable left footed half volley which flashed into the top corner of the net before keeper Lehmann could react.

Cue scenes of wild celebration, but the Baggies remained calm and with Nathan Ellington on for Horsfield, the visitors were restricted to just one more free kick from Reyes, which inevitably Kirkland saved diving to his right. In fact Albion came closer to netting a third, when Ellington cut in and from a narrow angle forced a save from Lehmann.

ALBION FORMRATE : GOOD

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH : CHRIS KIRKLAND

AND FINALLY

After twelve home matches against the Gunners without a win, stretching back more than thirty-two years to February 1973 when Tony Brown netted the only goal of the game, Albion claimed their biggest Premiership scalp yet. What's more we've jumped five places up the league to 14th and will be the top Midlands club after the weekend, providing tomorrow's 2nd city derby ends all square.

BRE Baggies:

Unbelieveable. We were brilliant. We have now got our first premiership scalp in three seasons. If that aint the turning point of our season then I dont know what is!

At the start of the match, the first thought was on the line up. I was a bit bemused that many players Robson had talked about all week were not playing. There was the usually Wallwork boo at the start of the game (it dont help) and even though we had more of the ball we kept giving it away. Then their goal went in. I thought Senderos pulled Davies back to score it but I must watch MOTD to see if im right. At this point I felt drained. I could not see how we could get a point with them scoring so early on. The players kept going at it though and then our goal. Kanu's finish was suberb and it makes you wonder why he dont shoot more often. There was only a small gap and he found it. We played well first half and even the most biased gooner would admit we were better.

Second half was a bit of a struggle at the start but within 10 minuites we seemed to get it sorted. It was then that Robson made the changes. Kanu of for Big Dave and Carter on for Walwork. At rthe time I did not understand the change but I have realised now it was so we had more cover at the back meaning we could take a risk on Carter.

Within 5 minuites it had paid off.Carter geting the ball 25-30 yeards out and taking it high on his chest - surely he wont shoot. I have a blank between when it hit his foot and hit the back of the net. It went so fast but that must be the goal of the season so far. Mills goal last week was good but anyone with a good strike can score that (no offence to the suberb goal though Danny). Carter's goal was special. To be able to hit a ball that is going up at chest hight and to hit the top left corner was brilliant. He must play next week.

This has really cheered me up because after their first goal I felt empty knowing the Wigan score and thinking this season is pointless but now I feel there is hope. We did not do a back to the walls job trying to nick a goal like most teams have this season. We matched the playing football and deserved atleast a point but the three will do. Please Albion, dont let this be a one off, lets go on and win a few games to get us away from the bottom three.

Player ratings:

• Kirkland: Best ever performance for us - shot stopping wise he is the best in the country.
• Albrechtsen: Arsenal use their pace to great effect and they are the fastest team in the league, so when a player causes them problems with his speed you know he has done well. His defending was good today as well.
• Davies: Very fast and once he has more strength he will be great. England international of the future.
• Clement: Solid performance and did well to keep us with the three points.
• Robinson: MOM? He was inspirational with his work rate and I understood Robson when he said call him up now. He did not get paced and this shocked me. Gone up another level in my books today.
• Watson: Very good game with his little touches and turns. Did his job.
• Wallwork: Not his biggest fan but I thought he did his job well today. Some things are still off but this may be lack of confidence. Would drop him for Carter next match but his best performance this season for me.
• Greening: Good performance even if not true MOM. He did well adapting to the role of cm and although his last ball is lacking compared to last year he is playing well.
• Kamara: His speed troubles even the best of defenders and when put up front after Kanu went off he proved he is worth his place.
• Kanu: Brilliant. His control is better than anyone in the world bar say three players. His goal was very well taken.
• Horsfield: Not his best game but he worked hard. Troubled by quality of cb's but he stayed onside more than usual.

Subs:

• Carter: What a goal. Deserves his place in the side. Goal of the season so far.
• Moore: His replacing on Kanu was strange at first but he did well in keeping them out.
• Ellington: When he came on he used touch, power and pace to great effect. He should start because he troubled Arsenal.

Let's hope this means we are good enough. From what I had seen I did not think we were good enough but I know we can now. Robson did get it right today - well done.

One quick thing. After the goal, the crowd were louder than I have ever heard us. The Lords my Sheperd was sung by everyone in every stand and it was so loud. It was a wall of sound and what the Arsenal fans must have heard was magnificent. If only that could happen more often. The team were great.

dannya:

Before game poor atmosphere around the ground which needs to improve to get behind lads and when team was called out ronnie wallwork got booed from several sections of the crowd! (which i feel is a disgrace because that lads confidence would be knocked)

I wasn't happy about the team selection with ronnie still in team and geoff on the right but we still got result!

• Kirkland: 9:- his best performance this season and he proved why hes in the England sqaud, however his goal kicks remind me of houlty! awful:)
• Albrechtsen: 8:- i didn't really rate this lad beacause i felt that he hasn't got very good awearness and just boots ball up front but the blackburn game and today has proved me wrong that he can take players on and sometimes put decent ball in!
• Davies: 7.5:-this lad will be super star in future and to say hes been playing against teams like wolves, hes made the step up to premiership with style!
• Clement: 7.5:-same old same old clement, solid performance
• Robinson: 9:- ive given this lad 9 because he's Albion through and through and gives 100% all the time. does he deserve England call up??!
• Watson: 7:- Im a big fan of this lad aswell, he may not have pace like some of our player but he does simple things effectivly and today he did well!
• Wallwork: 5:- I felt sorry for the lad because as a footballer you need confidence and people chanting your name but the stick this lads getting hes never going to play well! However felt best game of season which says a lot!
• Greening: 6:- WBA man of match which was a big surprise, i felt hes still inconsistant and hes quailty of crossing is poor, however better game but still needs to find form!
• Kamara: 8:- i love this lad, hes made a real difference to the team a bit of pace and flair and confidence to take on players ands i think he can be a big hit with the fans! plz find a song for this lad!!
• Kanu: 8:- last season i was very disapointed but this seasons games at bradford and Arsenal hes been top notch, holding up ball and laying players off, would like to see him playing up front with the duke!
• Horsfield: 5:- poor game today seemed lost on pitch and for my liking he was on pitch too long!
• carter: 8:- 8 for the class goal he scored, goal of season so far and i would like to see the lad in team instead of wallwork!
• big dave: 7 :- solid performance, wasn't happy when he was put on because i thought we could win game!
• duke: 7:- shown his class when he come on, seemed much better than first game at wigan and seems fitter and looks like hes been with kanu trying some new skill, unlucky not to score and unlucky not to start!

team for bolton:

               kirkland
  Albrechtsen davies clem robbo
  gera  carter greening kamara (legend)
                 kanu
              ellington
   

boing boing keep the faith and can't wait till trip to Bolton.

messeage to fans: please stop booing players and try and get atmosphere like away games to try and get extra 10% out of players!

come on!!

Jules:

Better, much better attitude and performance from the team. However it was only down to this that the albion fans had sprung into life, remember we dont have to ing only when we're winning, remember the wall of sound we created when the 4th 5th and 6th goals went in our net against liverpool in 2003?

Let's get that Hawthorns atmosphere back to the way it should be from the start against Newcastle.

I have to say Wallwork did pull his finger out more than usual but he still remained the weakest link, no doubt he will start next week.

I've lost count of the amount of crucial tackles and clearances made by robinson. This guy is phenomenal, he should be looking forward to an England cap. Hes not too late for the world cup squad.

Kamara was also phenomenal, although quiet first half, the twists and turns and confidence he showed skimming the Arsenal midfield and defence in the second half were imense.

Kirkland had probably the best game of any goalkeeper in the prem this season pulling off several world class saves.

Kanu really showed what dimension he can add to our attack, i didn't realise he could score from more than 3 feet from the goal! A special mention must go to his former fans for applauding his announcement and his goal. He is definately an asset we must keep.

I feel that Ellington should have replaced Horsfield much earlier but my argument will probably be dismantled by the 'disrupting the momentum' argument.

Well done Albion, an unexpected but fantastic 3 points, however we will all be disapointed if this is a flash in the pan and your efforts drop for the next few games. My faith is still in you Bryan, all you have to do is deliver.

Best day out at the Hawthorns for years

Boing Boing

thecads:

well, who would believe it? really didn't fancy going to watch us get stuffed - disbelief again as team read out, particularly after hearing the formation on capital gold....... 4-3-3?? , 4-5-1 - 451 definitely. thank god we changed to a 442 after they scored.

a simple thing happened on about 30 minutes - albion played football - we passed it on the floor for 10 mintues, created chances, got the crowd going, panicked arse and scored. second half we played football, although strange tactical changes 5-3-2 with dave and carter coming on.

simple game football - pass the ball and move - we did, we scored and we won. now learn.

i hope robson has seen the light - get ronnie off - strange because i actually thought he played superbly 15 minutes before taken off - for those who boo him before he plays - what is the matter with u. i'm ashamed. i think he's an ok player, but he's struggling at the mo.

man marks -

• kirkie - 8 - awesome saves, poor kicking (hoult in disguise, hopefully without the odd clanger)
• albrechsten - 7 - getting better, great runs, if only he could cross with his right foot, he would be fantastic
• robbo - 8 - awesome - make him captain
• clem - 7 - thought he did well
• davies - 7 - wife likes him so he must be good - acceleration amazing, goal was his fault, but getting better
• greeno - 6 - passed well, some good skill - poor corners and crosses - man of match? how?
• kamara - 7 good player - great pace - hope his hamstring is ok
• wallwork - 6 - did ok today 2nd half, but pointed too much first half - needs to be more mobile
• watson - 7 - good tackles- could he be the answer? not sure? wish he was faster - i'd rather him than ronnie be holding mid
• horse - 6 - not involved - not his fault he played right midfield first 15
• kanu - 8 - class - clinical finish, beautiful skill at times - he absolutely stuffed 3 arsenal players on one occasion. - get him fit and play him with....
• ellington - 7 - looked sharp and strong - looked good - also think he came on at perfect time - arsenal pushing up - his pace caused huge problems - him and kanu could be lethal - kanu's vision, ellie's pace... hmm, now for the service to them
• carter - 8 what an awesome finish - good tackles- please give him a run for 5 games
• big dave 6- love him - negative decision to bring him on possibly, but in retrospect worked perfectly - we won - nonetheless many fans were shaking heads when he was brought on (me included)

robson worries me - yes we won and we deserved it - but his team selections and formations baffle me and must confuse the players - please play 442 and stay with the same team for 5 games

      kirkland,
robbo, clem, davies, albie, 
kamara, watson, carter, greeno
      ellie,  kanu
   

would have gera on bench - he's not performing at the mo.

i don't think the defence are that bad, i think the forwards will be ok - the problem is still the service to the forwards and the protection of the defence - we have got to buy a central midfielder at xmas - let's hope we can pick up enough points to still be ok by then. yes today was great and i think the first time i can remember us beating arsenal in my lifetime, but they were held at bay by kirkland.

yes we played well and deserved it, but the midfield and robson's selections are still a worry - if robson drops carter and picks ronneh, i give up.

the ref- well he confused us all - one classic moment when albie was away and he brought it back - realised he'd dropped a clanger and booked the arse player to make the fans happy. bit of a muppet in patches - every 50-50 went to arsenal in the second half, but hey i'm happy for the first time in terms of football since august - need another 11 wins.....

Des:

well I had a funny feeling about this game from the moment I woke up yesterday morning. I just felt that our luck had to change and that this was the best possible time to be playing the Arsenal.

Then I turn up at the ground and hear that Watson and Walwork are playing in midfield and our resident "guess my age" man is starting up front and I was afraid, I was very afraid. In the first 30 minutes my fear was well founded as the exotic, young, talented, fast stars of the Arsenal team left us chasing shadows. The midfield in particular was an embarassment. If Watson and Walwork had of been horses you would have had them put down. Watson in particular was resorting to kicking Arsenal players about 15 minutes after they had passed the ball. Walwork was being his usual ineffectual self. Arsenal scored a goal for which IMO Davies was at fault. I heard Robbo say that Kirkland should have come for it, but I think that was being harsh on a keeper who had an outstanding game. After they scored Arsenal were completely in control and it seemed to be a question of how many would they get. Around me, with half an hour gone, people were saying things like "they're taking the piss", "it's like a training game for them" and one said "its football Jim but not as we know it".

Arsenal then seemed to get complacent which was a very big mistake. Now credit where its due Albion never showed any sign of giving up and continued to try and take the game to arsenal. Good team spirit and credit to BR for that. The effort got its reward with a cracking goal by Kanu, which gave everybody, the players, and the crowd a massive lift. We finished the game strongly and went in at half time good for the 1-1 scoreline.

The second half saw as fine a goal-keeping display as I've seen in an albion shirt. Two of the saves in particular fell into the miraculous class, just breath-taking. Arsenal were playing some great football and we were matching their class with work-rate and determination. Then BR made a very popular and inspired decison Walwork went off, looking completely knackered, to be replaced by Carter. Shortly afterwards a less popular decion, but perhaps no less inspired, as Kanu was replaced by Big Dave. At this point some one behind me said we're going to lose this and I have to confess the amount of possession being enjoyed by the Arsenal was making things look pretty grim. But then up popped Darren Carter with a blistering goal that had me doing an impression of a Polaris missile. Its been a long time since i've jumped so high out of my seat, always a great joy top see the back of the net bulge so far in our favour. Great goal for Carter and hopefully he'll start more regularly now. Ellington came on for Horsefield, and sorry for the sour note but he did nothing to disprove the theory that we have wasted ?3m quid's worth of transfer money.

Some great performances yesterday, Robinson (I love this guy, the way he stayed behind yesterday and walked round the pitch pumping up the celebrations was just brilliant) Kirkland, Clemmo, Albrechtson, Kamara, Greening, Carter, Kanu all had good games. Meanwhile the Horse and Watson did well enough. Walwork and Ellington were poor IMO. having said all of that if anyone can explain to me how boooing Walwork helps the Albion cause i would be grateful. IMO the booing of any Albion player before even a ball is kicked is a fecking disgrace, pls stay away if you feel you have to do this you are helping no-one but the opposition.

Great win and good team performance, we're out of the drop zone, we came from behind to win against one of the premiership's top 3 clubs. All in all a very good day at the office.

Kev Buckley:

Not having seen the previous evening's breaking news about the team selection, it took me a good while to work out what was going on as the side was read out, however, with the match starting and with the echoes of the booing of Wallwork's name slowly dying away, things looked a little clearer and Sepp Blatter's media manipulation, albeit shrewd enough to get the desired effect in many quarters, was firmly laid to rest - hope you get to quote someone from the Albion on the result of this game soon, Sepp!

As well as finally leaving out two players who had had poor starts to the season, Bryan Robson seemed to have gone for a lop-sided 433. I say lop-sided because it became pretty obvious that neither Watson nor Horsefield would do much to impede Albrechtsen's forward progress down the right, whilst on the left, Robinson's defensive quality was to be balanced by having both Greening, playing in the midfield three, and Kamara, in the forwards, as the options for width ahead of him. Down the spine of the side were Clement and Davies, the afore-booed Wallwork and the luxury of Kanu. Bench warming duties had been given to "The Pole who would be in Goal", Big Dave, Carter, Ellington and Earnshaw.

Arsenal, even with their line-up exposing what must be for them a worrying lack of quality in depth to their sqaud, looked a class act in the early part of the game, as any side with an attacking four of Pires, Reyes, Bergkamp and Ljundberg should do, though having said that, our full-backs prevented the wide men getting in behind all that often, whilst the midfield three tried to blanket the more direct threats and the probing of youngsters Fabregas and Flamini. Nice to be able to compare and contrats Wenger's approach to a middle two with the many opinions expressed about how to do it on BOING - just imagine those two playing behind Campbell and Horsefield.

Sadly, Arsenal's goal after fiften minutes or so was conceded as softly as many have been of late: a corner reaching a large amount of space around the far post and Senderos finishing cooly, although he was not really put under much pressure by any "marker". There was a worryingly similar set-piece second half that ended up in a big space at the far post too but on that occasion, someone did get a block, if not exactly a challenge, in.

It would be unfair on the Albion to say that Ljundberg's departure changed the game but his replacement on the right flank with the World Cup-bound Ivorian, Eboue, normally used as a full-back, was hardly like for like and besides, there was little Ljundberg, Eboue, or anyone, could have done a couple of minutes later when Kanu, who up to then had merely given us the luxury of being able to not only hold up the ball but also bring others into the game with great vision in the advanced positions, produced sublime control and a glorious drive from the left side of the box that finally united a home crowd, previously divided between those encouraging Wallwork and those mocking his every action, in a wall of relief-driven noise.

Similarly, whilst the introduction of Carter certainly meant that he was on the pitch to score a goal even better than Kanu's, it would be gilding the lily a bit to say that that act changed the game either. Indeed, at the time, his replacing of Wallwork, who left the field to derserved and sustained, if not acknowledged (and who could blame him) applause for a performance that made his prior displays all the more infuriating, seemed a bit gung-ho, leaving, as it did, only Watson as anyone with a claim to a defensive leaning in the frontmost six.

We didn't have long to wait before that balance was redressed however, as Kanu, though to my mind surprisingly, not the Horse, who had not looked as at home in the "playing off Kanu" role, as the less back-to-goal in style Kamara had done, made way for a third central defender in Moore and the adoption of a sligthly shut-up-shoppish 532. If anything though, and due, in no small part, to Arsenal's by now obviously apparant lack of width, that 532 was as lop-sided as the initial 433, as acres of space down the right encouraged Albrechtsen forward, not that he always chose to advance into the space, which, of course, annoyed the hell out of me - though I guess he had his orders.

Post-match calls for Carter to replace Wallwork in the holding role are of course nonsense, but there can be no doubting that the former's strike will have pushed his stock a lot higher than the less than favourable reports of his outings in the reserves, and whilst many in the BRE were screaming "hit it" as the ball came to him in space, few could have expected the cleaness of the strike that was past Lehman before the 'keeper could offer even a token movement towards effecting a save - and if you thought the crowd reaction to Kanu's goal was special, Carter will be on cloud nine for weeks when he recalls the reception that greeted his thunderbolt.

The final nail in the coffin in which any credence to Blatter's "quote" might now be buried, came when Horsefield, who one might have expected to remain on the field, if only to offer the "hold-it-up, easy-out" option after we might have been heading under the cosh in trying to protect that lead, was replaced by Ellington. Oddly enough, the removal of Horsefield was hardly greeted with the acclaim a top-scoring, four-goal striker would normally expect to receive in being subbed and I could even make out one or two less than favourable shouts toward him.

Just as important as gaining the three points will be the way in which we now hopefully build upon the change in personnel and approach, so it will be interesting to see just who stays and/or comes in, for the Bolton game.

Kanu looks a much better bet than Campbell in the role of "non-scoring striker with experience and vision", (espcially as he scored !) whilst Carter's strike would suggest he'll proably move ahead in the race to fill the role AJ was so unexpectedly used to try and fill, the one alongside the holding midfielder.

And finally of course, there's holding midfield spot itself: Wallwork showed much of what everyone always knew he was capable of, but will one decent performance be enough; whilst Watson, presumably the only other challenger for the role now, at least until the jury on Inamoto absorbes all the "video evidence", the tapes that he's reportedly been given to watch and those of his deployment in that role for Japan recently, looked solid enough to suggest he's in with a chance of a start there.

My own preference would see Saturday's starting XI shaping more back towards a 442 with Gera, more than capable of responding to the prompting of Kanu, coming in for Horsefield on the right, and Carter's bench spot handed to Watson in offering the former a chance to develop an understanding with fellow left-siders Robinson, Greening and Kamara.

AJ-B:

Well finally Bryan Robson amazingly did what ALL fans have been asking all season - he dropped Wallwork - or at least took him off and substituted him with Carter. This was indeed an inspired substitution and together with the introduction of Darren Moore (puzzling at first) he went into a 3-5-2 formation. Arsenal began the second half by cutting through us like a knife through butter so we had to regain the midfield and BR did exactly that.

From the off the team selection, especially Wallwork, had the ignominity of once again being booed by a mindless minority, this is truly disgusting, if those who boo cannot conform to more acceptable support, then sureley there is no place for them at the Hawthorns. No one has been more critical than me of the inclusion of Wallwork in every game, but Robson is the manager, he picks the players and THEY have to face 26,000 at times hostile 'supporters'.

Anyway, with Watson as Ronnies central midfield partner, many were suspect that these 2 would be over run. Arsenal settled down with a much weakened side and began displaying how football really should be played, with intricate passing in small triangles with stunning accuracy, for me they are always a joy to watch. They fully deserved the lead when Senderos got in a free header to score from a corner - another set piece disaster! I thought Kirkland should have come to collect, he seems nervous at times and does not 'boss' his 6 yard box. 1-0 down, were we to expect an avalanche? NO! the lads found some passion and fight for the first time this season and began to claw back into the game stemming from a tremendous Paul Robinson and Albrechtsen ably assisted by Clem and a lesser degree by young Davies (who once again got muscled out of it as Arsenal scored). Wallwork, although taking over the sideways/backwards passing shuffle from AJ, was actually having his best game of the season - but still not good enough to keep him in the side. Greening was involved and was into everything, taking command when Wallwork became jittery. Kamara was again terrific and worked so well with Kanu who had his best game in an Albion shirt. Sadly though the other real Dodo performance was from Horsefield, again continually offside, and not offering much in any way shape or form to justify his inclusion.

After the goal, Kirkland turned in a terrific display of shot-stopping, but for him we could - and should - have been 3 down at half time. Arsene Wenger must wander how many more brilliant goalkeeping displays his team have to endure to score much needed goals, remember also Maik Taylor when he kept Blues alive? Kanu at last scored with a terrific strike to equal things up at half time, a result we actually deserved.

Second half began though with Arsenal turning the screw, cutting through our midfield with ease with Bergkamp, Reyes and Pires outstanding, it was evident Wallwork was struggling but I bet no-one in the stadium would guess he would be replaced by Carter - but crikey he was!!

This was when Robson altered things to a 3-5-2 as Big Dave was also called on - but why take Kanu off? These changes brought almost immediate success when Darren Carter scored what might be the goal of the month from all of 25 yards, superb strike into top left corner, ALBION WERE WINNING!!!!! Despite more concerted attacks we held out for this most famous of victories, and what a sheer delight to see the SMILES back on fans faces as they made their way out of the ground. Bryan Robson you have proved there is team without Wallwork, now can you keep this new found spirit alive?

MY PLAYER REVIEW:

• KIRKLAND: A shaky start and at fault for goal, but from then on a superb display of shot-stopping.
• ALBRECHTSEN: Gets more confident in every game, surging wing runs, great crosses, AND his defensive duties get better and better.Was my Star Man especially in first half.
• DAVIES: Still gets muscled out of it too easy for me, Senderos nullified him when he rose to score from corner. Gradually got better as game progressed. Needs to be more assertive.
• CLEMENT: A mixed first half but was immense in the second.
• ROBINSON: Brilliant, what a defender, puts his body where it hurts, tremendous blocks from Bergkamp and Reyes.
• GREENING: A very industrious first half, took control when decisions needed making, swapped with Watson by interchanging from wide to central midfield. Faded just a little later in second half.
• WATSON: Crunching tackles, I think he was lucky to remain on in first half, should have had 2 yellows, needs to curb his aggression when faster players leave him stranded.
• WALLWORK: Must be nice getting into work only to be booed by your workmates, wonder how many of the boo boys would react if it was done to them? Ronnie had without doubt his best game for the club this season - but overall he just was not up to it, has taken over from AJ for sideways, backwards passing but never forward. When he was taken off we DID IMPROVE.
• KAMARA: Another very busy, very pacey display, one of the very few who can match Arsenal in this area. Linked well with Kanu, and is always a threat.
• HORSEFIELD: Very poor I'm afraid, did nothing except get caught offside again, again,again, again etc. etc. etc. His control was poor and offered little to the team.
• KANU: His best game for baggies, but why was he taken off? why not Horsefield? at least Kanu has skill to hold the ball up and provide for Ellington. Took his first league goal this season with a super strike. We need his skill in the side.

SUBS:

• CARTER: What an inspirational change this was, not only did he pass the ball FORWARD, but scored what might be the goal of the month. Made a big impact, needs more games and Wallwork needs resting a while.
• MOORE: Replaced Kanu in what at first looked a puzzling change, however I realised he was brought on to form a 3-5-2 formation allowing us to reclaim the midfield. My only gripe was that Horse should have gone off-not Kanu. Darren did very well in what was a 'cameo' performance, however he could be used again if what we saw can bring the same result again.
• ELLINGTON: Robson left it again far too late to bring on the Duke. However he had at least one good shot that Lehman parried away. Looks to succeed, needs to start.

UNUSED SUBS: KUSZCZAK, EARNSHAW.

BRYAN ROBSON: At long last has re-discovered his influence from last season. Debateable team selection again at start but brilliant tactical change that created our victory. Bryan you know the fans have been right all season - today just proved it, put out a team to play football and we will win again. Well done today, keep it going.

Bryn Jones:

Goals change games they say and it's expecially true with this one. Fulsome reports of a truly great victory would have been very different had Carter's shot followed the usual trajectory of these types of effort and ended in row Z. Considering the opposition Albion did play well but the published match stats tell a different and more realistic story. The Arse had sometning like 65% of possession, 10 shots on target - to our five - and seven or eight corners to our three.

It's a truism that stats don't tell the full story but for long stretches they really did reflect an overwhelming superiority by the Gooners. No more so than in attack where the Arsenal forwards continually dropped into a welcoming space between our back four and midfield. As the centre backs were reluctant to follow the Arse forwards into that space - preferring to hold a very deep line on the edge of the area - they were continually outmanoevred by the Gunners running off the ball and short one-twos. In theory our two holding players, Wally and Watson, should have been picking up in this space but they were either too slow or too intent on keeping to their own bit of territory to pick up the runners off the ball.

No, ultimately the difference between the two teams was the goal keeping of Kirkland. At last we could see why Sven rates him so highly even though he's hardly played for a couple of seasons. Chris's keeping kept us in the game when we should have been two or three down. At the other end we rarely threatened until the flurry of attacks leading to Kanu's excellent goal. Let's face it he owes us one, at least, after some of his previous howlers.

One of the reasons that the attack made little impression was the strange jumble that was the midfield. With Kamara on the left Greening was in theory on the right of the Wally-Watson hub. However 'Jesus' kept drifting centre and even treading on Kamara's toes on the left. Was he supposed to be in a 'free role', one wondered?

However, the Moore and Carter substitutions made sense, not just because of the retrospective vindication from Carter's wild card goal, but because one of the three centre backs could now push forward into the Gunners' favourite space in front of our back four, without leaving a gap there. Carter was also much more mobile than the gasping Wallwork - cut out the pies Ronnie - and so was better able to pick up the Arsenal runners.

An even more inspired decision by Robbo was to bring on Ellington and push Kamara up front alongside him. Kamara has lots of talent and pace but midfield discipline isn't really his bag. But freed of the need to mark and close down and look for a pass instead of his forte of dribbling at speed he suddenly posed a whole new threat to the mystified Arsenal defence. His pace and Ellington's freshness prevented the Gunners settling to their priority of pushing up for another goal.

So by luck and accident we ended up with a far more effective and balanced formation than when we started. While it would be silly to label this result as a fluke it did rest more on individual brilliance - Kirkland, Kanu and Carter - than on collective qualities. So there's lots still to do in terms of selection, organisation and tactics but hopefully Robbo's getting a better idea of what these basics are than he has for some of the recent shoddy performances.

Still, what the heck, despite their missing players, we still beat the second or third best squad in England. Enjoy the bliss - for a week at least.

Ratings

• Kirkland 9
• Robinson 7
• Clem 8
• Davis 6 (at fault for the goal and he knew it)
• Albrechtson 7 (would have been 9 if he could have actually crossed the ball after some of those steaming runs)
• Greening 6 (couldn't settle into a role or rhythmn but still buzzed around to effect).
• Watson 7 worked hard and might be a better bet than Wally when we can afford the luxury of only playing one in the holding role.
• Wallwork 6 huffed and puffed and played it simple when nececessary, but unconvincing positional play: marking space a lot of the time.
• Kamara 7 tends to over-elaborate when on a run and is lazy about picking up opponents when in midfield. Still looks better up front.
• Kanu 8 back to his best, wowed the crowd with some tricks and made a difficult shot in a crowded area look straightforward for his goal.
• Horse 6 worked hard but rarely got service or into positions to pose any sort of threat.

Subs

• Carter 8 - 'nuff said
• Moore 8 - Mr Reliable is is Davis that much better then him?
• Ellington - too little time to be rated but looked lively and intelligent but is he quick enough?

Neil Harris:

This was my first game at the Hawthorns for over 11 years (since 3-2 win over Wolves in 1994, so I can't really be called a regular!)

What a game to return for though. Thought the booing of Wallwork when the teams were announced was terrible. From reading the match reports on this site I know he's not everyone's cup of tea, and after watching him play I can understand why, but to boo someone before they've even started playing the match is wrong. I'm sure he wants to perform for Albion so at least try and build up his confidence before the game.

The period up to the goal saw Arsenal passing it around and keeping possession but Albion were offering a few glimpses. Kanu held it up well and both Greening and Kamara offered an attacking threat. When Senderos scored I did think it was going to be a long way back. From that point on though Albion took the game to Arsenal with Robinson hitting a great shot just over. Kanu's well struck goal, following good work Albrechtsen, was thoroughly deserved.

From the Smethwick End I'd seen Kirkland pull off a few good saves in the first half but in the second he was superb. His tip round the post of Toure was brilliant, as was the dive at Bergkamp's feet and the save from Fabregas, one problem though, he can't kick for s**t!!

Thought Albrechtsen had a very good game, attacking their left-back (Toure or Clichy?) and skinning him for pace on a few occasions, unfortunately he can't cross.

Wallwork wasn't bad but I'm unsure what his role is. If he's meant to be the holding midfielder then on several occasion he wasn't marking anyone. He also didn't get close to Fabregas and then followed him around for a bit before letting him drift away only for Arsenal to pass to him in space, cue Wallwork looking at others and blaming them. To be fair he did make a fine tackle to end an Arsenal attack which ultimately injured him and he then went off to be replaced by Carter.

If I have one criticism of the front two it's that they lack pace. All of the top teams have pace in abundance so it appears odd not to have one of Earnshaw or Ellington up front to start. When Ellington replaced Horsfield the Arsenal back four couldn't cope with the combined threat of Ellington and Kamara running at them along with Albrechtsen down the right flank.

As for Carter's goal, what a way to win it. Thought the atmosphere in the ground was brilliant with every side of the stadium turning to the Arsenal fans chanting "Easy, Easy, Easy", superb.

I think I'll be going to a few more games from now on and won't leave it another 11 years.

Baggins:

Well what a shot in the arm this result was! One swallow doesn't make a Summer so best not get too carried away particularly as Arsenal had 60% or so of the possession. I agree with the comment that this result was down to individual skill rather than a great team performance e.g. Carter's goal was a real cracker - from my seat in the Woodman, nothing looked on. He had to get right over the ball which was still very high when he connected. Best goal seen at the Hawthorns for quite a while IMO.

Some of the earlier postings comment on Albrechtson's inability to cross the ball. Well, the guy is really playing out of position. If you watch him steaming down the right wing he only uses his left foot to dribble the ball. I remember he was signed as a central defender so to use him on his wrong side as a wing back shows he has some versatility.

I just hope we can kick on from here. Next game is totally different and team selection is crucial to combat a different style of play. Perhaps big Dave should start to cope with the aerial threat. We must use pace up front and Ellington needs to be given a chance. I would like to see what he can do alongside Kanu and Kamera. The Horse just did not look up to it on Saturday.

bucksjim:

There was some improvement over previous games in selection and playing, but IMO not as great as the ratings so far submitted. One out of the blue strike and result sways opinions - emotionally I felt great, especially as my boss is an Arsenal season ticket holder, but it was in the "I can't believe this has happened" category. A weakened Aresenal deserved at least a draw and always looked close to penetrating a shaky/slow defence.

For the first 5-10 minutes when big dave came on the defence looked like, and of course were, at sixes and sevens, but when clement moved more into midfield we were stemming the tide a little better. We lack both physical speed and speed of thought, but I guess ?3M doesnt get you much these days.

I would go for earnshaw with ellington, and play chaplow (or any of the midfield squad) ahead of wallwork. As others have said the manager seems to be improving his selection, but why has it taken so long?

Lamp Baggie:

What a fantastic result well done to BR & the team.

Much better team selection this week, however, BR still making some strange decisions why was the Horse playing right wing - never got into game he's a centre forward & needs to play in the middle. Kanu IMO not a centre forward should be just in front our mid playing off CF.

Steve Watson started right mid? - this didn't work before so why today - much better when he swapped with Jesus - improved both players contribution to the game. Watson got stuck in & had he best game for us.

Woodwork - out of order to get on his back before game has started - played better today but still our poorest performer why does BR persist with players out of form - I'm certain he only came off because he signalled to bench - did he take a knock or just knackered

As regards BR comments that squad players are not performing in training & reserve matches - there is nothing to match first team games - the crowd the adrenaline - at least give them a chance.

No doubt Arsenal bossed most of the game & Kirkland was stunning - for long periods we just couldn't get hold of the ball - however out attitude was much more postive and we did put them on the back foot as well - the pace of Kamara & Albie great to see - would have liked to have seen the Duke given 30 mins at least - looked the part when he came on.

Kanu great performance & goal - ran himself into the ground - we need him playing on a regular basis - quality in abundance.

Carter's tremedous stike out of nothing konocked Arsenal for six & from there on in we were in charge & could have added a third!

Well what now for Bolton - no doubt BR will tinker with his squad - but we need to be positive - Kanu, Kamara, the Duke, Carter all in form - be brave BR.