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West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough
The Hawthorns, West Bromwich. 30th November 2002, 3.00pm.
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Yet another game that Albion deserved to win. And for once they did! It looked as though it was going to be yet another frustrating afternoon until the unlikeliest candidate popped up with the winner. It was a good solid performance with, at times, some excellent football.

Megson seemed to answer calls from the fans with both Hughes and Koumas both given starts. With Gilchrist injured, Gregan took his place at the left of the back three.

It was another lively start from the Albion with Koumas looking worthy of his place early on with some intelligent runs and accurate passes. For the first time this season, Albion attacked the Brummie Road in the first half

An early shot from Clement went inches wide before a mazy run from Koumas was cruelly ended by a crude challenge from Vidmar on the edge of the box. Clement's well-struck free kick was parried by Schwarzer before being cleared by the Boro defence.

More good work from Koumas in the 18th minute set Balis free on the right. His cross was perfect for Clement's late arrival, but he blazed his header over the bar.

The first half continued in the same vain, with Koumas dictating play in the middle of the park and Middlesbrough given no time when they did have the ball. Hoult was not troubled once as Boro were restricted to long range shots while Schwarzer had to make a good save from Johnson and should have been tested by Clement and Johnson again when in good positions.

Roberts was the quieter of the Albion forwards in the first half as Hughes worked tirelessly but never had a clear opportunity. Both Balis and Clement were getting forward well and Albion looked much more like the force they were last season.

The second half picked up where the first ended as just seconds after the restart, ex-Baggie Ehiogu had to make a last ditch headed clearance as Roberts looked to get on the end of a Balis cross.

Gregan came close to scoring minutes later, but through his own net as he sliced a clearance from a Parnaby cross. Ehiogu also came close for Boro from a Greening corner, but the header was wasteful.

The game was an exciting battle and the play moved from end to end but with Albion always looking more threatening. A Koumas corner fell for Gregan just before the hour, and the former Preston man hit a forceful shot that brought a wonderful save from Schwarzer.

On 59 minutes, Hughes who'd worked extremely hard for little result was replaced by Dichio and left the field to a standing ovation.

Koumas almost crowned his wonderful performance with a goal as he collected a pass from Balis before shooting left footed agonisingly wide of the post. Balis had a good chance moments later but his his first time shot over the bar before Roberts went on one of his trademark runs. He picked the ball up on the halfway line and ran at Southgate. The England defender had no answer as JR eased passed him into the box before hitting a poor shot straight at Schwarzer.

Albion were piling on the pressure and Dichio's height added another dimension to the Albion attack. Another Koumas corner saw Siggy almost find the net as Greening cleared off the line.

Then with 18 minutes left, the breakthrough came. A cross from Clement was headed up in the air by a Boro defender. As it dropped, AJ took a swing and missed before a powerful shot from Sigurdsson was blocked inadvertently by Roberts. The rebound fell kindly for DICHIO, who hit a right foot shot accurately into the left hand bottom corner from 12 yards.

It was no more than Albion deserved, but Boro suddenly realised that they had to start playing. On 84 minutes. Moore and Job went up for a Vidmar cross. Job got there first and his header cannoned off the crossbar before being cleared. Meanwhile, Moore and Job were both flat out having clashed heads. After a lengthy period of treatment, Moore limped off to be replaced by James Chambers and Job was stretchered off. With all substitutes used, Boro had to finish with ten men.

Even so, an understandably jittery Albion allowed Whelan to steal in and come close to an equaliser as his header crashed off the bar. But Albion held on through the six added minutes for a well deserved victory.

So, after playing well in so many games lately for little result, Albion finally got what they deserved. Koumas made a huge difference as Albion were able to play football through the middle and bring both wing backs into play. A very encouraging performance and a vital three points that lifted the Baggies out of the bottom three.

RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 MIDDLESBROUGH 0

Marks

Hoult - 7 - Did not have to deal with one attempt on target, but did what he had to well.
Balis - 8 - His best game of the season, more like the Igor we know and love.
Clement - 7 - By far his best game, got forward well. Got caught a couple of times at the back.
Gregan - 7 - Good performance, good distribution. Always looked for Koumas.
Moore - 7 - Another solid performance.
Sigurdsson - 7 - Steady at the back - even had two attempts on target at the other end.
Koumas - 9 - MOM. Outstanding, exceptional passing, inspirational runs, excellent decision making.
Johnson - 7 - Looked lively, worked hard.
McInnes - 6 - The weakest of the three midfielders, too wasteful with possession.
Hughes - 7 - Unlucky in that he had no chances, worked extremely hard.
Roberts - 6 - Unusually quiet, but always looked dangerous.

Dichio - 7 - Made a big impact with his height and strength, good finish.
Chambers - 6 - Did OK.
Dobie - 5 - Little impact.
West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Sigurdsson, Moore (J Chambers 86), Gregan; Balis, Koumas, McInnes, Johnson, Clement; Roberts (Dobie 89), Hughes (Dichio 59). Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Wallwork.
Middlesbrough (4-4-2):
Schwarzer; Parnaby (Cooper 61), Ehiogu, Southgate, Vidmar; Job, Geremi, Boateng, Greening; Maccarone (Whelan 74), Boksic (Nemeth 76). Subs not used: Jones (GK), Wilkshire.
Scoring: Dichio (72) 1-0.
Bookings: Middlesbrough - Ehiogu (foul 72).
Referee: P Durkin (Dorset)
Attendance: 27,029
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