West Bromwich Albion 2 - Manchester City 0

Dave Watkin:

Albion thoroughly deserved the three points in an action packed entertaining game against in-form Manchester City, who had hit Charlton for five at the Valley last weekend. Yesterday, the Baggies established a two goal lead just after the hour mark as Diomansy Kamara and Kevin Campbell both scored their first goals of the campaign. City were outplayed for much of the game and in the last half hour picked up five bookings and a red card, as they dished out violent retribution on the home side.

For Albion, Kamara was superb throughout, revelling in his role on the right of midfield to score one and threaten more. In defence I thought Curtis Davies was brilliant, using his pace to eliminate the threat of City's high scoring strikers. Kanu was at the hub of the action, Robinson was a tower of strength in defence and together they created the second goal. Inamoto gave another key performance, his pass for the first goal was perhaps the best of the season. However, with Kuszczak making a good block and handling competently throughout and no weaknesses in either defence or midfield, this was an excellent team performance.

A word of praise too for Bryan Robson. He seems to have hit on an effective formation and his substitution of Campbell for the injured Ellington, when most of the crowd would have brought on Earnshaw, was justified when he scored the clincher. Let's hope we can extend our run of four league games without defeat at Portsmouth next weekend.

TEAM NEWS

Albion were unchanged for the third league game in a row but crucially, as it turned out, Jonathan Greening and Diomansy Kamara switched wings.

HIGHLIGHTS

Kamara settled immediately into his right-sided midfield role and when he cut inside and hit a goalbound left footed shot, it tested David James, who dived across to clutch the ball at his left hand post.

In the 5th minute Albion took the lead with a superb goal. Junichi Inamoto, wide left and just inside the City half, steered an unbelievable crossfield ball to the feet of DIOMANSY KAMARA. An exquisite first touch took him clear of Thatcher and with James crouched, rooted to the spot, Kamara hammered an unstoppable half volley past the stranded keeper.

The Baggies pressed forward looking to double their lead. They almost did so when Kanu nodded the ball to Kamara and he slipped a quick pass to Nathan Ellington, however the striker's first time shot flashed just over the bar. Then, when Ellington chipped the ball through to Kamara, he shrugged off a defender and was again one-on-one with the keeper, but this time James was quickly off his line to dive bravely at Kamara's feet and nudge the ball away. Even then the ball was not cleared far and when it was played back in, Wallwork exchanged a one-two with Inamoto, but his final shot lacked power to trouble James.

Leading up to half time both Ellington and Kamara needed treatment. Ellington received an eye injury which led to him being substituted by Kevin Campbell. Kamara was flattened by Thatcher and the referee angered the crowd by allowing play to continue, even though Kamara looked to be seriously hurt and it appeared that Thatcher had led with an elbow. Fortunately, Kamara resumed play after treatment. With City taking the initiative for the first time, we were glad to hear the half time whistle.

Immediately after the break, City created a good shooting opportunity for Andy Cole, but he wastefully skied his shot high and wide. On the hour Martin Albrechtsen came on as a straight replacement for Watson.

In the 61st minute Albion netted the important second goal with a well worked move and a fine finish. Paul Robinson played the ball inside to Kanu and he helped the ball on with a brilliant back-heeled flick. The full back had kept on running and cut a perfect ball back from the goalline for KEVIN CAMPBELL, who although diving backwards still managed to head powerfully into the roof of the net.

City had clearly lost the plot and the previously lenient referee lost patience during a series of violent assaults on Albion men. First Thatcher for a block on Albrechtsen, then Barton along with Wallwork after a scuffle and then Dunne, were booked. With six minutes to go Cole launched a flying tackle at Albrechtsen long after the ball had gone and was booked. Inexplicably, two minutes later, the same player, leading with his elbow, crashed into the back of Kamara and received a second yellow card, when a straight red might have been in order.

ALBION FORMRATE : GOOD

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH : DIOMANSY KAMARA

AND FINALLY ...

This match was my 750th consecutive competitive Albion match, a fact which was recorded in the Adrian Chiles column in the club programme, thanks to my daughter Helen alerting him to that upcoming milestone.

What appealed to Adrian most about the run was that, thanks to victory yesterday, over 653 League, 27 F A Cup, 45 League Cup and 25 Other matches (Autoglass Trophy (7), Play-offs (5), Anglo-Italian Cup (13)), the Club's record is perfectly balanced. We have won 275, drawn 200 and lost 275. Up until yesterday the goals for and against columns were exactly equal, but they now read scored 982, conceded 980.

So my efforts urging Albion to victory during that period have been almost exactly balanced by those expended by the fans of Chelsea, Cheltenham, Colchester, Cozenza and the other ninety clubs we've met.

Incidentally, which Club do you think we've met most times during that spell? I'll let you know next week.

Chiang Mai Baggie:

Kamara is on the right today, and Greening on the left.

Man City won a free kick 35 yards out on 2 minutes. Barton's shot was blocked. Kamara shot well after a good move on 3 minutes, and James saved well. Kamara attacked again on 4 minutes and scored off an Inamoto pass, putting the ball past James.

Barton shot on 6 minutes, and Kuzzy saved well. Man City won a corner on 9 minutes, but Albion cleared. Barton tackled Kamara well to stop the breakaway. Albion won a corner on 11 minutes, and Kamara crossed for Davies to head just wide. City won a second corner on 16 minutes. Davies was held by Dunne, and a foul was given. Albion playing well today, and supporting each other well too, Kanu even tracking back well.

Kanu passed to Kamara who laid the ball off for Ellington, but he shot wide on 19 minutes. Ellington beat 2 defenders and shot wide on 24 minutes after a good ball from Robinson. Kamara went through on 25 minutes after an error by Dunne, but James saved the 1 on 1. Albion pressed again, and James saved off Wallwork after a 1-2 with Inamoto. Ellington needed treatment for a problem with his eye on 28 minutes. Albion pressed well on 31 minutes, and eventually Kamara shot over the bar after good work by Inamoto. Campbell on for Ellington on 37 minutes.

Thatcher fouled Kamara on 37 minutes, but the ref didn't give anything, and City had a chance to score, but Clement cleared. City had a free kick awarded outside the Albion box on 39 minutes. Barton shot straight at Kamara, and the ball was cleared. City won a corner on 41 minutes. Sun crossed, but Kuzzy was fouled by Dunne as he caught the ball. 2 minutes added. Davies needed treatment for an ankle twist in injury time. HT 1-0.

No changes at HT. Cole shot over the bar after a Sinclair shot was deflected to Cole on 49 minutes. City are pressing, looking for an equaliser, but Albion's defence is holding. Albion need to take back control of the game as in the first half. Kamara won a corner on 55 minutes. The ball was cleared and Albion won a throw. Greening then pressured, and City cleared and tried to break. Albion won another corner on 57 minutes. Kamara crossed, but Dunne cleared. Ireland on for Sommeil on 59 minutes. Albrechtsen on for Watson on 60 minutes.

Robinson bulled the ball back from the bye-line after a Kanu back heel, and Campbell headed into the top corner of the goal on 61 minutes.

Thatcher booked on 62 minutes for a foul. City won a corner on 67 minutes, and Albrechtsen cleared. Croft on for Reyna on 69 minutes. Man City won another corner on 71 minutes, headed clear by Davies. Albrechtsen crossed to Kamara on 74 minutes, and he tried an overhead kick shot, but it went wide. Wallwork, Thatcher and Barton had an altercation on 75 minutes, and the ref called Barton and Wallwork over, and gave 2 yellow cards. There was a problem between Barton and Wallwork again on 78 minutes. Cole ran and shot well high and wide on 80 minutes. Cole fouled Albrechtsen on 84 minutes, and pretended innocence. Albion won a corner on 85 minutes. Kamara played it short to Wallwork, and lost the ball. Cole was sent off for another foul, on Kamara this time on 86 minutes. Thatcher subbed for Wright-Phillips before the restart.

City won a free kick outside the box on 89 minutes. Kuzzy pushed the ball out and the ball was cleared for a corner. Albion eventually cleared the danger. 4 minutes added. Kamara subbed for Carter well into injury time. City won a late free kick near the Albion box, but Kuzzy collected, and the FT whistle blew. FT 2-0.

thecads:

In the last four years there are not many games you could say great performance, great result. Today however, is without doubt one of the best all round albion performances I think I have seen in my 30 years as an albion fan. Even better than everton, becuase citeh fought desperately and played the ball round well. However we hassled them and pressured them so much, they really couldn't create a decent chance.

Passion, commitment, controlled aggression, controlled football, quality football, quality passing, skill and clinical finishing. It was there and for once it all came from the albion.

I thought Albion were absolutely awesome. if we play like this every week relegation will soon be a distant fear. Having a settled team has made a huge difference.

Hats off to robson. He swapped kamara and greening. I think greening has not been anywhere near his best on the right. kamara has not anywhere near his best in the last few weeks. kamara showed us clinical finishing at its best. what a ball from inamoto and what skill from jo. johnny was back to his near best.

our midfield outplayed theirs easily. well doen to ronneh - i thought he had his best game of the season. inamoto perhaps his weakest of the last few weeks - he lost a ball a few times in bad positions - however what a player. get gera fit and we could have a cracking midfield. ina gives ronneh the energy that richardson did last year. it allows ronnie to sit deeper and pass it around, which i thought he did superbly today.

man marks:

• tomas - 7 - did everything well, may have fumbled his only real save, but someone cleared it.
• watson -7 - comfortable - calm, quality player- what he lacks in pace, he makes up for with experience.
• davies - 8 - quality - vassells and cole's pace gave him no trouble - very very good, passing much more simple and therefore better today
• clem - 7 solid, mr dependable
• robbo - 9 - awesome.
• kamara -8 looked a class player today - quality finish gave him the confidence he seems to had lost - quick feet, quick passing caused citeh trouble.
• johnny -7 better, prefers the left i think
• inamoto -8 - not his best game, but still very good, great drive and quick feet - thank god for that wonder goal away at fulham - robbo had to pick him after that goal and ina hasn't looked back
• ronneh -8 superb today - got really fired against barton -well done - wish he played like this every week
• ellie- 7 couple of chances, tends to shoot from impossible angles - experience will help
• kanu - 9 superb, never lost a ball , had citeh all over place
• campbell -7 personally i wouldn't have brought him on - earnie would have hit city better on counter, but what a quality header. ball behind him, twisted and turned and quality. i apologise mr robson - still would prefer earnie for the goal threat to be honest
• albie - 7 fitted in well

well done robbo - well done albion - got the crowd up for it. quietest i've ever heard the city fans at the hawthorns - we were superb and totally played them off the park. now lets do it for more than one game - need the same performance v pompey - what a key game.........

a very happy cads (even though i changed my prediction league score this morning to 1-2 as opposed to a 2-1 win to us. that may have cost me the top place, but i don't care!!)

Jules:

Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?

I bloody well am. Albion carried on their recent good form with a comfortable win over a reasonably good Man City side. Both sides were up for it and Kamara drew first blood after five minutes with a powerful strike inside the area that welcomed David James back to the Hawthorns for yet another 90 minutes of demoralisation. But to be fair to James his decisive scooping the ball from the feet of Kamara five minutes later prevented us from having a larger lead at the break. I haven't seen the second replay yet but i remember Jesus probing the Halfords/Brummie corner, a pass to Robinson who under pressure dinked it from the back line to Campbell who headed it into the top left corner, 2-0. After that it was mere handbags with Andy Cole eventually getting a red card (2 in 2 visits to the Hawthorns i believe) and Joey Barton proving thuggish tendancies are a family trait.

Inamoto was again superb, Kamara finally capped his spiriting displays with a fine league goal, Robinson was his usual dependable self as was Watson. Albrechtson wasn't bad in the 20 odd minutes he had - he's our fastest player and when he gets the ball one gets a buzz that something positive will happen. Ellington worried City a few times before he went off injured and was replaced Campbell. Kanu was not very prominent today, probably due to his injury, but he still displayed his magical ability to keep the ball deep in the opposition's half. Bringing on Campbell made a lot of fans nervous as they are the slowest pairing of strikers in the premiership - but they are skillful, highly experienced and most importantly scored a goal between them.

I can't stand Harry Redknapp so lets give him a nightmare first home game

ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK

Well done Albion, more of the same please.

robsqu:

Watched the game via satellite.

What a Jekyll and Hyde team we are. Two great performances against Everton and ?Boro, two decidedly lacklustre games against United and Fulham followed by a fantastic display today against City. Still, being a lifelong Baggies fan I shouldn?t be surprised ? it?s all part of supporting the Midland?s best.

The whole team played good football today with Kamara showing just how lethal his finishing can be. Kanu again was impressive. Don?t know what the boss has said to him to get him tracking back and going for everything but it sure has worked. Robinson was rock solid in defence and, while we still had some wild clearances, the whole defence worked as a team. That for me is the secret ingredient. We are at last beginning to gel. Players are beginning to know what the others? are thinking and acting accordingly. Witness the superb back heel of Kanu and Robinson knowing where to go and getting that cross in for Campbell to nod in a goal reminiscent of the King. Players are beginning to have more confidence in themselves and are holding the ball, taking on a man, beating him, looking around and laying off a useful ball. Lovely stuff to watch. Why can?t we have this every week? Why indeed?

When Ellington went off I was surprised that Campbell was put on. Superbly taken goal, but he didn?t really do much before or after the goal. That said, he gave us the cushion we needed and City hearts must have sunk when the ball hit the back of the net. The only downside for me was why wasn?t Earnie bought on? Seeing him sitting on the subs bench was so frustrating. He needs to be given a good run with the team too.

Nuff said. Well done the Baggies. Great all round performance. Great result. With the tough matches coming up around Christmas/New Year we really do need a result at Portsmouth. If we play like today we should get it.

Goulds Coffin:

Quick note to congratulate Dave Watkin on his impressive milestone. That's a fair amount of punishment, but I'm glad the lads saw fit to make his 750th game one to savour. I missed it through my car exploding on the M40, but I'd have settled for 2-0 even if it meant me waiting for the RAC for two hours outside Leamington Spa.

I'd add my congratulations to Robson, who yet again is managing to confound us all by coming up with a combination that works just when we were all in despair. Let's hope the current form lasts well into 2006.

Kev Buckley:

A couple of positional changes brought great benefits compared to the previous game against Fulham.

The switch to the Vine from the Sportsman for the pre-match tikka played its part as did my taking up a seat in the centre of a four-man block alongside Finbarr, Earl and Jay Poole in the East stand as opposed to being deployed on my own in the BRE for the visit of the Londoners.

Meanwhile, out on the pitch, yet another positional change soon silenced the travelling fans, including, hopefully, those from Lancaster and Morecambe on whose coach I had travelled down and who, on being initiated into the delights of a pre-match barbeque, proceded to try and drown out the Vine with a rather monotonous, albeit vociferous, refrain about a multiplicity of Colin Bells. (Surely Jingle Bells at this time of year, lads?)

Kamara, who had looked completely out of sorts on the left against Fulham, started on the right, Greening swapping back to his more accustomed side, and within five minutes the former had left Thacther for dead, cutting in from the flank after chiiping a magnificent Sneekes-esque crossfield ball from Inamoto over the full-back's head, collecting it and hammering the ball into the net. This fine display of skill only served to wind up the hapless Thatcher who then spent the rest of the game going around kicking at anyone who came near him. What is it about Man City full-backs: Danny Mills was one of those players who was somehow always excused his thinly veiled thuggery because of it being viewed as "determination", and Thatcher seems to have learnt a lot from him, one particularly nasty forearm-led "challenge" that felled Kamara going unseen by both referee and linesman.

For a side who had put five past Charlton the previous week, City were, for the most part, simply made to look ordinary by an Albion side that first denied them any opportunity to create through the middle of the park and then made good use of the possession they gained by getting the ball wide to Kamara: a far cry from the hoof and hope of the Fulham game.

The only fly in the ointment seemed to be the replacement, around the half hour mark, of Ellington, who been looking good when running onto the intelligent prompting of Kanu, with a man off the bench who could hardly be expected to do similar, Campbell. Given that City's centre-back pairing of Dunne and Distin are hardly the quickest in the division this seemed a little strange and Campbell's seeming inability to get off the ground when challenging for the ball, let alone get into the game in any other meaningful way just added to the initial bemusement.

Incredibly, when Campbell finally did win a header, half-an-hour later, on the other side of half-time, of course he went and scored, the goal also serving to confound the critics in another camp, as none other than Paul Robinson arrived on the bye-line, after a lovely acrobatically back-heeled pass from Kanu and, whilst the cross Robbo then pulled back left a little to be desired in going slightly behind Campbell, the latter strained every sinew to get enough on the ball to turn it goalwards and into the far corner across James.

If that goal pretty well ended the game as a footballing contest, it seemed to move it into the catergory of a down-the-card warm-up for the heavyweight title fight later that evening, and by all accounts there was rather more pugilism on display at the Hawthorns than there was down in London last night.

Thatcher finally got the card he'd been looking for since the fifth minute, Barton and Wallwork threatened to take each other outside a couple of times and Andy Cole maintained his less than spotless record at the Hawthorns by first clattering into Albrechtsen when the Dane's pace was threatening to expose City and then, probably still smarting from being booked just two minutes before, jumping knee-first into Kamara's back when there seemed to be lot less danger and getting a second yellow and expulsion for his trouble.

Apart from the still, to me anyway, baffling deployment of Watson for his token hour's run out at right-back and one or two moments of madness from Inamoto and Wallwork late on, this was an excellent performance from the Albion and, given that, on the evidence of this afternoon's game, at least one of the sides around us, Everton, are starting to look as though they wont be down there with us for long, a most welcome three points. Three more from Pompey, the Harry factor notwithstanding, would be an excellent way to fatten the proverbial goose before a potentially lean Xmas period against ManU, Spurs and Liverpool, then again Everton could, with better finishing, easily have beaten the other half of Manchester earlier: so why shouldn't we?