West Bromwich Albion 2 - Leicester City 3

Summary:

Albion put on their own Show of Horrors for Halloween as Leicester City came from a goal down to clinch a 3-2 victory at the Hawthorns. An Albion side unchanged from their win at Norwich took the lead after half an hour when Salomon Rondon headed home a corner from Stephane Sessegnon.

However, Leicester came back stronger after the break and took the lead when Riyad Mahrez scored twice from close range in seven minutes, the second appearing to be offside. They made it 3-1 when the currently unstoppable Jamie Vardy took the ball from the centre circle and outpaced Albion's back line to fire home.

Albion pulled one back when Rickie Lambert got his first Albion goal from the spot after Callum McManaman was tripped in the box, but despite a period of sustained pressure they couldn't get the equaliser and the spectre of defeat hung over them while their supporters headed Zombie-like into the night.

oshawabaggie:

Three penalties denied. One offside goal against. Outrageously poor refereeing. It's time for video reviews as in Rugby union.

Lord Charles:

I made a special effort to watch the re-run on Sky last night. Leicester were the better team in the first half and went into the break unlucky to be behind. But, and it is a big BUT two incidents before half time could of changed the course of the game. The foul on Evans should have seen a penalty and I agree with Pulis that it should have been a red card too. Huth wrestled McAuley to the ground too in a separate incident which should have been a second penalty. Leicester's second goal WAS offside but before then Albion were denied a penalty when Huth wiped out Fletcher. These incidents had a massive impact on the result and I have every sympathy with Pulis and the team.

Rondon took his goal very well and had he been given more support from a very disappointing Berahino who knows we might still have won despite Mr Taylor & Co. Yes they are professionals and should clearly rise above the incompetence of match officials but I would imagine it was difficult today. I let out a silent cheer when I discovered that Chris Foy had retired, now it seems Anthony Taylor has taken up that mantle. Albion IMO deserved a share of the spoils today but found the task too difficult when the opposition had three extra players.

Brendan Clegg:

It was an entertaining game and we've played worse and won this season. Leicester were quite dominant to begin with and we took the lead against the run of play, but after that we probably shaded it up to half time.

The turning point in the game in my opinion was just after the break - Sess seemed to beat his man 3 times in the corner before sending over a cross which McLean looked certain to finish at the back post. Unfortunately he made a hash of it and the ball bobbled away from him and Saido.

It is true that were denied a couple of clear penalties - we didn't get the rub of the green whereas against Sunderland we did. Unfortunately it was lapses in defence that cost us. After the first 10 minutes of the match where we were run ragged we'd actually defended quite well and had just about managed to contain a very dangerous Leicester attack.

Firstly Brunt failed to track a routine runner and we conceded a very soft first - annoyingly we'd had plenty of chances to bring the ball out under control just prior to this, but in our usual manner we'd elected to clear our lines at all costs even when there was no pressure.

Their 2nd goal was fortunate in that it was a deflected cross that looked offside. Sess didn't track his man either though and it was almost an identical goal as the first but from the opposite wing.

At this point, personally I'd have forfeited Fletcher for Morrison - Pulis went for Yacob instead. Saido, who also wasn't having a great game but had shown flashes, was hooked for Lambert. Again in any game we are chasing I would keep Saido on the pitch at all costs.

With no Yacob and us chasing the game, Evans pushed up high to try and steal the ball and got exposed - Vardy (who was brilliant all afternoon in just about every aspect of play) still had it all to do but he galloped half the pitch before finishing superbly.

We rallied, the lesser-spotted McManaman won a soft penalty which Lambert finished expertly but we didn't have enough.

In all honesty I thought we played OK - we defended really well for parts, created chances and fell a bit short against a slightly better side who happen to have the best striker I've seen this season.

I wouldn't be overly critical of TP for this - the wrong side of a marginal result.

• Myhill - 7 Couldn't do anything for the goals and some good saves.
• Dawson - 5 The better sides in the league are exposing our fullbacks. Kept at it but allowed too many crosses in. Showing a player onto his wrong foot is basic defending but Albrighton was allowed to cut in on his right and cross too often.
• McAuley - 7 Probably our best defender on the day.
• Evans - 6 Was mostly excellent, two half mistakes led to goals.
• Brunt - 5 Similar to Dawson but 1 less mark for the first goal.
• Sess - 7 Going forward was a huge positive again but did switch off for the 2nd albeit offside goal. Keeps the ball so well and creates chances and space.
• Fletcher - 5 Did OK but some atrocious passing and struggles badly against pace.
• Yacob - 6 Some key interceptions. We were exposed when he went off.
• McLean - 6 Terrific effort and heart again but his lack of quality is starting to cost us. Too erratic in final 3rd.
• Saido - 5 Struggles in the deeper role but his touch and football brain are still miles ahead of others.
• Rondon - 7 Great header and battled well all game. Intelligent running of the channels too.

• All subs - 6 They all came on and brought something.

Ian Parton Smith:

I was at the yesterday and I wondered all afternoon how come we had no width until the very late introduction of McManaman - this altered the way Albion played.

Berahino was just not in the game and looked like he did not care.

As a manager Pulis is fair but at home we should not be so compact in the middle section of the pitch, it was awful tripe.

BilneyBoinger:

Well, were we robbed? Perhaps?

Overall we looked pretty good now passing much more accurately and looking much more menacing.

I have said for some time that Saido needs to play on his own up front. Perhaps I was wrong. Do Ron Ron is looking sharper but rarely manages to link to Saido playing just behind him. Is it time for Morrison to take this role and Saido slips to the bench. Competition for places is hotting up!

McMan looked dangerous when he came on but should have scored. Perhaps why McClean is preferred because he is more of an all rounder and his crossing is finding Do Ron.

Another good Sess show but was his lack of defensive cover the reason for the consistent attacks down Dawson's side.

Myhill should come out more quickly, a bit like the same as last season!

Morrison looks good in the centre and should be included again now. Lambert seems to be improving and I suspect would work better with Saido as he is better at holding the ball up. If he can get a bit fitter it gives us options as the season runs on.

• Myhill 6
• Dawson 6
• GMac 7
• Evans 7
• Brunt 6
• Sess 7
• Fletch 5
• Yacob 6
• McClean 6
• Saido 4
• Do Ron Ron 6

Subs

• Lambert 7
• Morrison 7