West Bromwich Albion 4 - Burnley 0

Date: Sunday 28th September 2014 Live on Sky Sports
Competition: Barclays Premier League
WBA:
8.0
Foster 7.2, Wisdom 6.9, Dawson 7.8, Lescott 7.9, Pocognoli 7.7 (Gamboa, 82 7.1), Dorrans 8.2, Morrison 7.3, Gardner 7.3 (Yacob, 87 6.6), Brunt 7.3, Sessegnon 7.4 (Samaras, 74 5.7), Berahino 8.2
Unused subs: Myhill, Mulumbu, McAuley, Blanco
Manager: Alan Irvine 7.7
Burnley:
3.4
Scorers: Dawson (30), Berahino (45, 56), Dorrans (90)
Referee: Jon Moss (West Yorkshire) 6.8
Attendance: 24,286   Home Fans 7.7   Away Fans 4.4

Summary:

Albion made it three wins in eight days with a complete demolition of Burnley thanks to ten corners, twenty shots and nearly two-thirds of the possession.

Fielding the same starting lineup as the win at White Hart Lane, it took Albion 30 minutes to take the lead through a Craig Dawson header from Chris Brunt's corner. Saido Berahino made it two when he did the same just before the break and three when he put away a neat pass from Graham Dorrans.

Burnley hadn't won here for over forty-five years and that showed no signs of changing, Dorrans putting the result way beyond doubt with Albion's fourth when he struck Cristian Gamboa's pass into the corner of the net with full time almost upon them.

The win lifted Albion to tenth in the table, a point above Liverpool - their next opponents. If this was a taste of things to come from Alan Irvine's side then bring it on.

Didcot Baggie:

Premiership side against Championship side ended in inevitable result. But well done the Baggies on an excellent team performance - some really good movement and quality about the team today - everybody performed well. Lescott is a revelation - so this is what a quality defender looks like. Good to see Mozza and Dozza stepping up to keep new signings out of the team. Only one negative - Samaras looked like a fish out of water when he came on - otherwise no complaints and the dark days of Swansea and Everton seem a long time ago now.

Brendan Clegg:

Very pleased for the players and management after a very good performance albeit we have to put the victory and dominance into context - this Burnely side without Ings or Vokes are probably the weakest in PL history, and even with them are really struggling despite decent organisation.

And had they been able to defend quite basic set-plays we'd have gone in 0-0 at half time and we might be talking about a frustrating afternoon. Fine margins.

Take nothing away from us though, we were strong, dominant, patient and kept plugging away - there was only a 10 - 15 minute spell in the 2nd half when we got a bit sloppy but otherwise we were very professional and you still have to win these games. And make no mistake, today was must-win.

A great week to be a baggie and, if Irvine does end up doing a great job like 95% of fans who thought it was a poor appointment I will happily eat my words and all of the humble pie on offer. It would be great if an obviously nice, fair, decent and likeable guy gets the rewards for his hard work. I think he's going to have his work cut-out keeping everyone happy. There were 4 or maybe even 5 arguable starters who didn't even make the squad this week - players who would walk into that Burnley team, not to mention the players who made the bench.

  • Foster - 7 Not a lot to do but 1 great save.
  • Poc - 7 Looks a bargain, strong, quick, full of energy and loves a tackle.
  • Lescott - 9 A class act. Reads where the ball is going about 5 minutes before it arrives there. Strong as an ox, still has a turn of pace and never plays a pass more than about 10 yards yet seems unflappable. You get the feeling a lot of bigger sides than us missed out here. Inspires everyone around him.
  • Dawson - 7 Great leap for goal and is benefitting from these starts however he did give the ball away very cheaply in dangerous situations a couple of times but Burnely didn't have the quality to capitalise.
  • Wisdom - 7 Has great upper body strength and the legs of Leon Barnett. Deceptively comfortable on the ball - he uses it very well in tight situations, the only thing missing from his game is the final ball when he gets to the edge of their box. A lot of us would like to see Gamboa start but he's playing so well how do you leave him out?
  • Mozza - 8 Although not a tough tackler his pace over the first 10 yards works really well in a this deeper role - he nips in and robs people and then motors away to start breaks and possibly more disciplined in the role than Mulumbu.
  • Gardner - 7 The usual all action, energy, effort and steel - he Dorrans and Mozza all covered the pitch well and can interchange roles effectively.
  • Dozza - 8 Really enjoyed himself and took responsibility well. Deserved his goal though he'll never get an easier afternoon at this level.
  • Brunt - 7 Did well although still frustrating came into midfield too often in the first half when Burnely had parked the bus and we needed width.
  • Sess - 8 A constant menance to them with his running and movement and got better as the game wore on after being frustrated in the first half. We're a different side without him, and not for the better.
  • Berahino - 8 Has come back looking a much better player - At Spurs I couldn't believe how well he led the line and held the ball up alone against a big imposing defender like Kaboul - today his runs were intelligent as summed up by the second goal. Whoever got a hold of him and shook some sense into him has done him a huge favour.
  • Gamboa - 7 The 4th goal summed up what he can bring - pace and width.
  • Samaras - 5 Looks miles off the pace.
  • Yacob - 6 Slotted in and did his job well.

Dare I say I'm actually looking forward to the game next week and the pressure is off a little bit?

MF:

I know it was only Burnley! and they were poor but that was a good display. I only saw the game on the box but Albion put them to the sword in the proper manner. Over the last 2-3 seasons we have failed to put away the likes of Fulham, Norwich, Cardiff, Villa etc. Yesterday there was a structure, purpose and solidness about the team that gives us hope for the future.

The defence was near perfect, Great save from Foster to keep a deserved clean sheet. Lescott reminds me of Olsson of old and some, he makes Dawson look a far better player too!! I got the impression that he was also marshalling the whole back line and those in front too. The two fullbacks had fine games, without being under too much pressure.

I was thinking when Gamboa came on that the seasons loan of Wisdom was a clever bit of business: we get a decent player to cover across the backline and Gamboa gets time to settle into the premiership without being thrown in at the deep end. Gamboa looks a player but adjusting to the speed and tempo of the premiership is no easy matter.

The mid-field bossed the game, to say we didn't miss Mulumbu and Yacob was a testament to how well they played. It was great to see Dorrans and Morrison back to their best, Dorrans IMHO was MOM. Gardiner impressed me too with his energy and willingness to link the play up. Still don't think he has a pass in him though. Brunt had a fine game too but his lack of pace means that his days as a wide man are numbered.

Sess was Sess, like the curate's egg (What's a curate you ask!!)... good in places. He has lovely quick feet and the ability to create space and link up with those around him yet also can disappear and sometimes give the impression of a headless chicken, but in many ways is a good foil for Berahino especially as he draws defenders to him which should allow more space for Berahino to exploit. Mind you Samaras offered something different when he came on and played a major part in the fourth goal, and I wasn't too pleased to see him come to the Albion if I am honest.

As I said, lots of positives to take from the game. Loved seeing Irvine on the sideline getting animated when we took our foot off the pedal in the second half and especially lovely to hear the crowd in full cry too.

I know it was only Burnley and this time last year we were basking in the post match glow of beating Man Utd and dreaming of Europe and beyond under a certain Mr Clarke so lets not get carried away by a couple of swallows!!

Keith Pincher:

Dawson 7.8? Is the same Dawson you were all telling me would never be a Premier League player as long as he had a hole in his a*se?