Albion said goodbye to the Premiership at Goodison Park, hopefully temporarily, with a game which somewhat mirrored Albion's season - having got themselves into a position of safety midway through, a late collapse ultimately cost them the points. But it did at least give the Baggies fans something to cheer about.

And cheer they did - throughout the match. They were fantastic once again. Radio phone-ins and internet forums may suggest that a majority of Albion fans want Robson sacked, but the muted protest at the Hawthorns last Monday, when the occasion was ripe for a rebellion, coupled with a good proportion of the fans singing Robson's name at Goodison, suggests that it may be a minority, if a vocal one. One could perhaps put Sunday's chant to over exuberance in what was an excellent atmosphere, but maybe the fans feel that the club, and the manager, need their continued support at this difficult time.

A trip to Goodison seemed sure to give Robson the excuse to recall Kevin Campbell, but the former Toffees favourite failed to make the sixteen. An injury ravaged defence saw Williams Martinez make his first Albion start and young Jared Hodgkiss was given a place on the bench. Another Everton old boy, Steve Watson, was given the captaincy on his return to Goodison and received a fantastic reception from the home fans.

The game itself was very good entertainment for what could easily have been a drab end of season affair. Albion took the game to the home side early and after scoring the first goal, you felt that it was always going to be an interesting afternoon. The goal itself was superbly executed. Greening broke down the left and put in a wonderful cross that was by Gera at the far post. The finish was incredible as he launched himself feet first at the ball and volleyed it firmly into the bottom corner.

For the remainder of the half, it was the home side that was on top in search of an equaliser. But some excellent last ditch defending kept them at bay, and when they could find a way through the back line, they came up against the Pole in Goal in excellent form. One double save from Kilbane just before the break was sublime.

Just into the second half, Albion increased their lead. Kanu brought a save from Turner when he got his head to Gera's cross. Then, Greening and Gera combined again, although this time Jonno's corner was flicked on by the magic Magyar and was met sweetly on the volley by Williams Martinez who fired home his first, and it transpires only, for the Baggies. After the news today that he is to return to Defensor, his Albion record will read one start, one goal - not many defenders will get a 100% goals to starts ratio!

Once again, the game swung back to the visitors as they probed for a goal to get back in the game. Albion did have one or two chances but the home side had many more. Kuszczak was inspired and seemed unbeatable as he kept everything out. Having said that, the wastefulness of the Everton strikers did prompt the visiting supporters into the funniest chant of the afternoon - "How the f**k did you stay up?"

After the subless evening on Monday, Robson used all three this time with Hodgkiss, Nicholson and Carter replacing Watson, Ellington and Gera. It was great to see the youngsters get some Premiership experience, and neither disgraced themselves.

As it seemed as though Albion were heading for only their second away win of the season, the home side got back into the game thanks to a wonderful bit of skill from a young substitute of their own. Victor Anichebe turned Martinez superbly and managed to squeeze the ball through Kuszczak's legs.

Having had a good afternoon so far, things then went further downhill for Martinez as, in injury time, he was, perhaps harshly, adjudged to have fouled Arteta in the box. Carter and Wallwork got themselves booked for protesting - it may not have been a foul, but it was a very clumsy challenge from the Uruguayan. It was likely to be big Duncan Ferguson's last game for Everton and it was he that stood up to take the penalty. It was no surprise to see Kuszczak save the spot kick, but unfortunately, the rebound went straight back to Ferguson and he, like Anichebe, managed to find a route to goal through Tommy's legs.

There was still time for Albion to have a goal disallowed when Wallwork was judged offside before he crossed for Quashie to score, but the game finished all square, which was probably the right result.

The Albion fans went home, if not happy, at least happier than they were before the game, and we are all looking forward to starting another promotion campaign.

Come on you Baggies!!



Marks

Tomasz Kuszczak - 9 - MOM. Outstanding display; some fantastic saves.
Curtis Davies - 8 - Another fine game from Davies; I hope it's not his last for Albion.
Williams Martinez - 7 - Decent performance; shame about the finish. We wish him luck for his future away from the Hawthorns.
Paul Robinson - 7 - Another committed Robinson performance.
Ronnie Wallwork - 7 - Same as ever; solid as ever.
Steve Watson - 7 - Obviously enjoyed his day back at Goodison. Good performance.
Jonathan Greening - 8 - Continued his good end of season form.
Nigel Quashie - 6 - Did OK; maybe suffering from the injury that has ruled him out of the Scotland squad.
Nathan Ellington - 6 - Failed to really ignite.
Zoltan Gera - 8 - Back to something like the Gera we know and love. Hope we'll see him again next season.
Nwankwo Kanu - 7 - Excellent skills; good performance



Jared Hodgkiss - 6 - Decent performance.
Darren Carter - 5 - Little impact.
Stuart Nicholson - 6 - Good movement and actually touched the ball this time!!


Bryan Robson - 7 - Nice to see the youngsters out there. Didn't do a lot wrong with what he had available - I only wish he could have been this positive in other away games.



Jon Want, 8th May 2006.