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West Bromwich Albion v Fulham
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. 31st August 2002, 3.00pm.
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This was a game we had to win and, despite the scoreline, we did so comfortably. With new signings, a suspension and a couple of injuries, the side had a different look about it, but a resolute stubborn performance, with a little flair thrown in on occasion, reminded me more of the Albion of last season than any game so far this term. It wasn't pretty to watch, but that was largely due to Mr Styles who failed to let the game flow with a generally over-fussy, but sometimes incredulous, refereeing performance.

Following the death of his mother in the week, Igor Balis was handed the captaincy for the day with McInnes starting his suspension for his moment of madness in Manchester. The who team wore black armbands as a mark of respect. With Siggy out injured, Gregan strangely lined up along side Moore and Gilchrist, with Wallwork stepping into midfield along side Johnson and Marshall, in for McInnes. The Ginger Ninja was back alongside Roberts up front, although Megson has said that he would not have started if Dobie had been fit. The other new signing, Jason Koumas (or Kumar as the Hawthorns announcer described him), had to be content with a place on the bench.

Hughes received a great welcome when he came out, the "Greedy Roofer" tag forgotten. Albion started well with Marshall shooting over in the first minute. Minutes later, Hughes had his first chance to score back at Baggies, but his shot from Balis' cross was pushed wide by the gangly Van der Sar.

The Hughes-Roberts partnership started to show some of the understanding it enjoyed two seasons ago as Albion took control of the game. On 20 minutes, they combined well only for Hughes to shoot straight at the Dutch keeper.

Referee Rob Styles had been fussy all game and still managed to miss some clear fouls, but on 24 minutes his made sure he would be berated for the rest of the match. Roberts burst past Melville bearing down on goal only for the Fulham defender to grab JR around the neck and haul him to the ground. No foul said Styles. This was not a nudge that might be missed - Melville used his arm to stop Roberts from advancing on the Fulham goal. It was a clear professional foul.

Hughes, obviously upset with the Roberts incident, made a silly challenge on Legwinski and received the first yellow card of the game. But Styles had already lost control and seven more bookings followed. But he, and his officials, again missed a crucial moment when Big Dave appeared to be elbowed by Fulham striker Sava off the ball. Sava had been frustrated by Mooro's close attentions and seemed to take some retribution - let's hope a camera somewhere has picked it up.

Despite the referee's inadequacies, Albion were still on top. Johnson missed a good chance when he headed weakly at Van der Sar from Wallwork's cross and then Fulham had a rare shot on goal from a Davis free kick which Hoult saved comfortably. And then AJ missed another great chance shooting at Van der Sar again after the impressive Marshall had put him clear in the box.

Several Albion players made their feelings known to the referee at the half time whistle, as did the Hawthorns' crowd as booing and whistling accompanied the officials' departure from the pitch.

But three minutes in the second half, the noise from the crowd was somewhat different as Albion took a deserved lead. The tireless Hughes won a corner on the right. Clement's first corner was short but was headed behind by a Fulham defender. His second was also short but Mr Styles ordered a re-take as he was still talking to Roberts and Van der Sar who were pushing one another in the box. His third was perfect - it fell for MOORE at the back post whose first header was brilliantly saved but knocked the keeper into the goal, and he managed to scramble the rebound. We all waited for the referee to disallow it, not because there was anything wrong with it but because it seemed like to sort of thing he would do, but he didn't. The Baggies were in front in the Premiership for the first time.

On 56 minutes, Albion lost one of their best players when Marshall pulled up with a hamstring injury. Koumas replaced him to a rapturous reception from the Hawthorns faithful. A minute later, it should have been 2-0. Roberts turned Legwinski brilliantly on the left side of the box and pulled it back perfectly for Johnson, but he shot high and wide - his third good chance of the game.

Fulham, playing neat football in midfield but rarely achieving any penetration, had a rare opportunity on the hour when Sean Davis shot wide. Tigana then played all his cards and put all three substitutes on at once.

Roberts had another good chance when he beat two Fulham defenders with a neat turn, but his shot was weak. Fulham started to boss the midfield as they pushed for the equaliser, and Albion were struggling to hold onto the ball. Taylor replace Hughes as Megson sought to rectify this situation.

Fulham's best move of the game resulted in Irish international Steve Finnan shooting over from just inside the box but really that was it. It was Albion who came closest to scoring in the final stages when, with Van der Sar halfway up the field acting as a sweeper to keep Fulham moving, Taylor received the ball on the halfway line. he turned and hit a shot that was just dipping under the bar when the giant keeper somehow managed to claw it over the top.

Sweet revenge for the quarter-final last year, although had we won that game, we might not be in the Premiership this season with the semi-finals falling on the Bradford weekend. Albion looked solid. Gregan slotted in to the back three and had a fantastic game. Hughes worked hard as he always does, and his partnership with Roberts showed signs of sparking. It was so important to get three points before the 11-day break and it was especially sweet to get it against a poorly supported team who, despite the millions they have spent and a ten-match unbeaten run, looked very, very ordinary. But was it Albion who made them look ordinary? I'd like to think so.

RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 FULHAM 0

Marks

Hoult - 7 - Had little to do except fielding some crosses late on.
Balis - 6 - Did OK, made some good runs. Not troubled at the back.
Clement - 7 - Much much better performance, keep it up.
Gilchrist - 7 - Another solid performance.
Moore - 8 - Controlled everything at the back, great goal.
Gregan - 8 - MOM. Wasn't sure when I saw him line up there, but he was excellent.
Wallwork - 6 - Did OK, jury's still out.
Johnson - 5 - He did well, but I've had to mark him down for three missed chances. Get some shooting practice!
Marshall - 7 - Good passing, good movement, unfortunate injury.
Hughes - 7 - Worked hard, made some good chances, great to have him back.
Roberts - 8 - Another excellent performance, ran Gregan close for MOM.

Koumas - 6 - Not really the right game for him, did OK.
Taylor - 7 - Did what was asked and that Beckham-like chip - what a goal that would've been!
James Chambers - 6 - Did OK.
West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gregan, Moore, Gilchrist; Balis, Marshall (Koumas 56), Wallwork, Johnson, Clement; Roberts (J Chambers 88), Hughes (Taylor 77). Subs not used: Jensen (GK), Dichio.
Fulham (4-4-2):
Van der Sar; Finnan, Goma, Melville (Knight 60), Brevett; Legwinski, Inamoto (Malbranque 60), Davis, Boa Morte; Sava (Saha 60), Marlet. Subs not used: M Taylor (GK), Hayles.
Scoring: Moore (48) 1-0.
Bookings: West Bromwich Albion - Hughes (foul 25), Moore (foul 36), Wallwork (encroaching 67), Johnson (dissent 73). Fulham - Boa Morte (foul 27), Davis (foul 58), Legwinski (foul, 66), Finnan (dissent, 70).
Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville)
Attendance: 25,461
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