A scrappy 1-0 would've been adequate, an ultimately impressive 4-0 was far more than any of us could've hoped for. I say "ultimately" because, while Albion were the better side throughout, it wasn't until the second goal went in that they started to exhibit the confidence that their dominance merited.

Robson's starting line-up was largely as expected, although Horsfield starting instead of Kanu was a surprise, particularly given the Nigerian's recent performances. With Robinson serving the last of his three match suspension, Albrechtsen was once again at left back with Watson slotting in on the right. Apart from the introduction of Horsfield, the only other change was also up front, with Nathan Ellington getting only his second Premiership start having been talked up by Robson all week.

The first half was initially promising, subsequently frustrating before being ultimately satisfying. The Baggies started the game well with Inamoto stamping his authority on the game early on with some tigerish tackling and excellent passing. Clear cut chances were few and far between, but Inamoto, Ellington and Kamara all had efforts saved by goalkeeper or defender. There was a penalty shout when a cross from Geoff Horsfield appeared to strike Phil Neville's arm and as we approached the halfway point in the first period, the visitors had hardly been inside the Albion half. The worry was that Nigel Martyn remained unbeaten.

As the half hour passed, the siege of Everton's goal waned a little, and the visitors started to come back into the game. Marcus Bent had their first effort on goal, a header that went wide of the post after 32 minutes.

The remaining minutes of the half were nervous for Baggies fans but they did see the introduction of Kanu, replacing the injured Horsfield, meaning that we now had the front line that should've really started the game.

It had an almost immediate impact as it was Kanu's pass that Ellington ran on to when he went down under challenge from Tony Hibbert on the edge of the box. To the surprise of most in the ground, myself included, Dermot Gallagher pointed to the spot. All on Match of the Day thought that the challenge was outside the box, but on closer inspection, it may have been a good decision from Gallagher. While the initial challenge was outside and, indeed, made little contact, as Hibbert rolled over to get up, his shoulder catches Ellington's back leg and knocks him forward. He is, by this time, well inside the box. Whatever the realities of the situation are, it was a little bit of luck that was due to Albion.

There was a brief discussion between Joe and the Duke, with the former evidently keen to make up for his miss at the Reebok a few weeks back. But Ellington was firm and he took one of the coolest spot kicks I have ever seen as he stroked the ball into the right hand bottom corner to register his first Premiership goal.

While that sent the home side into half time buoyant, the more decisive moment occurred six minutes into the second half. Kamara's corner was met by the head of Clement and the ball flew past Martyn into the net to put the Baggies two up. On first glance, it looked like a firm header, but the replay revealed that the ball slid off Clem's head and went in off his shoulder - the Baggies' luck was certainly in. That was reinforced a couple of minutes later when Kuszczak was very lucky to escape a red card when he appeared to pick up the ball outside the area - thankfully, Gallagher was some way off and gave nothing.

From that point on, the result rarely looked in doubt although the Hawthorns faithful remained nervous until Ellington made it three with a wonderful curling shot with twenty minutes left. Suddenly, Albion could relax and play a bit, and Inamoto and Kanu started to entertain the crowd with some wonderful bits of skill, with Kanu's mid-air flick behind his legs being the pick of the bunch.

At the back, Albion were rarely troubled by the visitors, it was the defenders who seemed intent on keeping Kuszczak busy with Davies, Inamoto and Clement all going close to scoring own goals.

The Duke was anxious to get his hat-trick, but Robson decided to give Earnie a run for the last five minutes. It paid off, as the Welshman latched onto Kilbane's wayward back pass and easily beat Martyn to make it 4-0 and register his first Premiership goal of the campaign.


Marks

Tomasz Kuszczak - 6 - One or two good saves, kicking leave much to be desired and a little fortunate that the ref never saw him reach outside the box to claim the ball.
Martin Albrechtsen - 6 - Steady if unspectacular. Will be much happier on the right when Robbo is back.
Neil Clement - 6 - Slightly nervous first half; much better in the second after he scored.
Curtis Davies - 7 - Got better and better as the game went on, although he came close to scoring an own goal.
Steve Watson - 7 - Another good performance from Watson; he leaves Robson with a tough decision now Robinson is back.
Jonathan Greening - 6 - Still not firing for Jonno.
Junichi Inamoto - 9 - MOM. Another exquisite performance. Bossed the game throughout and really enjoyed himself in the last 20 minutes. No sign of jet lag.
Ronnie Wallwork - 6 - Fairly anonymous in the first half, but got better after the break.
Nathan Ellington - 8 - Looked rusty early on but once he got his first goal, he looked very dangerous. Needs a prolonged run now.
Geoff Horsfield - 5 - Did very little before he was injured.
Diomansy Kamara - 7 - Lively, always an outlet; great delivery for Clem's goal.

Nwankwo Kanu - 8 - Superb performance; wonderful skills, excellent hold up play. Should've started.
Darren Carter - 6 - Did OK.
Robert Earnshaw - 7 - One chance, on goal. Can't ask for more.

Bryan Robson - 7 - Once again, didn't quite get right from the start, but Horsfield's injury helped him out. Hopefully that performance will convince him to keep largely the same side.

Jon Want, 21st November 2005.