An accomplished Baggies performance saw them continue their unbeaten Premiership run to four games and maintain their good record against Manchester City in the Premiership. Albion now average two points a game against Stuart Pearce's team which is certainly impressive.

Robson stuck with the same side that failed to get a goal against Fulham and the faith he paid in Kamara in particular was fully repaid. The Senegalese international put in what was probably his best performance in an Albion shirt after getting off to the best of starts on just five minutes. He produced a superb bit of skill to knock Inamoto's cross over Ben Thatcher's head before firing past David James to give Albion an early lead and Kamara his first Premiership goal for the Baggies.

Albion had started well anyway, but the goal settled them down and they rarely looked like surrendering the lead. There were one or two anxious moments in the first half but the defence all performed well, with Davies and Robinson particularly impressive. The one surprise in Robson's line-up was the continued presence of Tomasz Kuszczak despite Kirkland's return to fitness, but the Pole in Goal performed well once again with just one mistake in the second half when he spilled a shot - thankfully, Davies was on hand to clear.

For the majority of the game, however, Albion were well on top as they probed the City defence. When the visitors did press forward, Davies and Clement were strong and the City players became increasingly frustrated. Andy Cole, in particular, started to vent his frustration with a series of late tackles and was remarkably fortunate to escape a yellow card before half time. Barton was the only City player who looked like troubling the home side and he made it a tough afternoon for Wallwork and Inamoto.

The one sour note of the afternoon was an injury to Nathan Ellington who suffered an eye injury in a clash in the first half and was eventually substituted. Many fans were surprised to see Kevin Campbell come on rather than Robert Earnshaw, but given that it was become a rather bruising encounter, it was probably the right decision.

The decision was completely vindicated early in the second half when Albion got the second goal their domination deserved. Robinson drove down the left, passed inside to Kanu who brilliantly flicked the ball back to Robbo. He then produced a fantastic cross that was met at the near post by the unmarked Campbell who found the top corner with a firm header.

After that, City seemed to lose it and four players were booked before the end of the game for cynical or late challenges, with Barton booked along with Wallwork when the two clashed in midfield. Having just finally been booked three minutes earlier, Cole went in heavily on Kamara and received a second yellow that he probably deserved much earlier in the game.

It was comfortable for Albion in the end and an all round good performance. Kamara was excellent and Kanu did very well but the real stars were Davies and Robinson who both produced superb defensive performances, with Robbo also chipping in with an assist.

Three successive clean sheets at home is a very good sign, and with eight points in the last four games, Albion finally have some momentum which they can take into a tough Christmas period. Things are looking up.

Marks

Tomasz Kuszczak - 6 - Another decent performance with one mistake unpunished in the second half.
Neil Clement - 7 - A better performance from Clem although his distribution was not the best.
Curtis Davies - 8 - MOM. This guy is getting better and better. Outstanding.
Paul Robinson - 8 - A close second for MOM. Excellent performance.
Steve Watson - 6 - Did OK before he was injured.
Jonathan Greening - 7 - Much improved performance from Jonno.
Junichi Inamoto - 6 - Good skills, but a little prone to losing the ball in dangerous positions.
Diomansy Kamara - 8 - Great early goal; excellent game all round.
Ronnie Wallwork - 6 - Did well, but guilty of a few loose passes.
Nathan Ellington - 6 - Didn't get much of a chance before the injury.
Nwankwo Kanu - 7 - Another good performance from the Nigerian.

Kevin Campbell - 7 - Good strong display; great finish for the goal.
Martin Albrechtsen - 7 - Made a good impression; looked dangerous going forward.
Darren Carter - Not on long enough.

Bryan Robson - 7 - Certainly got the team motivated at the start of both halves, and the subs all worked well.

Jon Want, 10th December 2005.