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West
Bromwich Albion v Manchester City
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 22nd January 2005, 5.15pm. |
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Match
Preview |
 |
 |
| Result |
West Bromwich Albion |
2-0 |
Manchester City |
| Scorers |
Kevin Campbell (5)
Ronnie Wallwork (81) |
None |
| Attendance |
25,348 |
| Teams |
4-4-2
1 - Russell Hoult (GK)
14 - Martin Albrechtsen
19 - Neil Clement
6 - Darren Purse
3 - Paul Robinson
2 - Riccardo Scimeca
24 - Ronnie Wallwork
8 - Jonathan Greening
21 - Kevin Campbell
34 - Robert Earnshaw
11 - Zoltan Gera |
4-4-2
(GK) David James - 1
Sylvain Distin - 5
Richard Dunne - 22
Danny Mills - 18
Joey Barton - 24
Paul Bosvelt - 26
Stephen Jordan - 41
Antoine Sibierski - 10
Shaun Wright-Phillips - 29
Robbie Fowler - 8
Jonathan Macken - 11
|
| Substitutes |
29 - Tomasz Kuszczak (GK)
16 - Cosmin Contra
4 - Thomas Gaardsoe
9 - Geoff Horsfield
25 - Nwankwo Kanu |
(GK) Ronald Waterreus
- 21
Nedum Onuoha - 16
David Sommeil - 2
Steve McManaman - 20
Bradley Wright-Phillips - 42 |
| Substitutions |
G Horsfield for R Earnshaw
(57)
T Gaardsoe for K Campbell (90) |
B Wright-Phillips for
J Macken (67)
S McManaman for A Sibierski (68) |
| Yellow Cards |
Paul Robinson (83)
Zoltan Gera (90) |
None |
| Red Cards |
None |
None |
| Referee |
G Poll (Hertfordshire) |
After the five teams
above them picked up points in the three o'clock kick offs, this
match became very much a must-win game for the Baggies simply to
keep in touch. And win it they did, and deservedly so. Albion may
have put themselves under unnecessary pressure far too often, but
it was a good performance that not only brought a first league win
for Bryan Robson, but also should give the players a huge confidence
boost. Albion will probably wish they could play all their games
at 5.15pm - both their league wins this season have come in such
matches. This was also the first time that Albion have won a Premiership
game by more than one goal, and their first Premiership win in January.
Robson made just one change from the team that lost at Fulham with
Riccy Scimeca replacing the injured Andy Johnson. I was a little
worried given Scimeca's recent performances, but he filled AJ's
shoes very well harrying the City midfield tirelessly and using
the ball well. It was, perhaps, the most surprising performance
of the day, but it was one of several extremely impressive displays
from Albion players.
Antoine Sibierski went closed for City in the opening minutes, but
Albion took the lead with their first real chance - ironic given
the number they missed at Fulham. It was new boy and home debutant
Kevin Campbell that scored it. Gera and Scimeca combined before
the Hungarian released Martin Albrechtsen on the right wing. The
Danish defender didn't connect too well with the cross, but it found
its way towards Campbell, who struck it first time between two defenders
past the despairing dive of David James.
The early goal settled the Baggies down and they started to play
some great football with City looking a little lacklustre. Wallwork
was controlling things in midfield, Gera and Greening were working
the flanks tirelessly, and Campbell was linking up well in attack.
Nonetheless, Albion still tried to shoot themselves in the foot
on occasion. The nearest they came in the first half was when Clement
misplaced a backpass that Hoult just managed to get a toe to with
the ball heading towards the net, and he cleared successfully under
pressure from Macken.
But at the other end, Albion were carving out further opportunities.
Earnshaw was getting himself into the right positions, but his finishing
left much to be desired. Gera set him up with a free header and
a flick-on from Campbell put him through on goal, but he lacked
composure in both instances and failed to test James. Following
a neat ball from Greening, Wallwork found himself with the ball
near the byline and with Earnshaw waiting for the square ball, he
opted to pull it back to Campbell who found Scimeca but Sibierski
got a foot in and the chance was gone
City did manage to carve out a few chances before the break with
Hoult saving well from Fowler, and Robinson, who was keeping Wright-Phillips
on a tight rein, managed to deflect a shot from the young England
midfielder over the bar. Albrechtsen and Wallwork also made vital
interceptions in the penalty area before the half time whistle went.
Albion survived and deservedly went in a goal up.
City obviously had a rocket from Keegan at half time as they came
out of the blocks extremely quickly for the second period. Hoult
made a good stop from Sibierski and then Fowler and Macken both
broke through at the same time but Greening managed to get a foot
in to clear the danger.
After the first ten minutes of the second half, City seemed to run
out of ideas and Albion started to take control of the game once
again. The defence looked solid, but they had done at Fulham until
that last minute aberration, so it was crucial to get that second
goal. Nothing was going well for Earnshaw as his first touch was
letting him down time and time again, so Robson opted to replace
the Welshman with Horsfield.
Wallwork was set up by Albrechtsen but couldn't beat James, and
then the former England 'keeper brought off a fantastic save to
push away Greening's volley just after the hour. Wallwork was getting
forward well and he had another chance on 74 minutes when he got
on to the end of Campbell's cross, but headed inches wide.
The former Manchester United player did manage to cap his fine performance
with his first Albion goal with nine minutes to go. Campbell found
Greening, and Albion's player of the season so far swung in an excellent
cross to Horsfield at the back post, and he produced a fine cushioned
header to meet Wallwork's run, and he stooped bravely to head past
David James and seal the points for the Baggies.
Graham Poll, who had angered both sets of supporters with a string
of ridiculous decisions, came up with a piece de resistance in the
last few minutes. Richard Dunne smashed a 20-yard free kick past
Hoult into the net, but Poll disallowed the goal because he hadn't
blown his whistle to restart play. So Albion held on to the clean
sheet and a deserved three points.
A vital win for the Baggies that keeps them in touch with the three
clubs ahead of them. After the light relief in the Cup next week,
Albion start a run of games against all those three that will go
a long way to determine which division Albion will be playing their
football in next season.
Marks
Russell Hoult - 8 - Starting to look like the 'keeper he was two
years ago.
Martin Albrechtsen - 8 - Looked very comfortable at the back and
got forward well.
Neil Clement - 8 - Another excellent performance from Clem.
Darren Purse - 8 - His best display for some time - won everything
in the air and used the ball well.
Paul Robinson - 8 - Kept Wright-Phillips very quiet.
Riccardo Scimeca - 7 - Probably his best game in an Albion shirt.
Ronnie Wallwork - 9 - MOM. Superb performance capped with a fine
goal.
Jonathan Greening - 8 - Excellent performance; very unlucky not
to get his first Albion goal.
Kevin Campbell - 9 - Great goal and an excellent performance; very
intelligent forward play.
Robert Earnshaw - 5 - Got into some good positions but failed to
finish; needs to gamble more. Lost possession too often.
Zoltan Gera - 7 - Good display with some neat link ups with Albrechtsen
and Campbell in particular.
Geoff Horsfield - 7 - Did very well with some excellent hold up
play.
Thomas Gaardsoe - Not on long enough to mark.
Bryan Robson - 8 - Pop got it right today; right starting line-up
and the substitution was well-timed and did exactly what was required.
Jon Want, 22nd January 2005.
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