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West
Bromwich Albion v Watford
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 31st January 2004, 3.00pm. |
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After a poor first
half, Albion produced an excellent second half showing that was
both entertaining and successful. Three goals all scored by strikers
was also a pleasant change.
With two new strikers signed in the 24 hours leading up to kick
off, Megson surprised everyone by naming on-bail Hughes in the starting
line-up alongside Horsfield, although new-boy Facey made the bench.
There was also a surprise in the middle of the park as Clement lined
up on the left wing, Kinsella made his full debut, and Sakiri was
consigned to the bench again. Koumas's injury sustained against
Walsall kept him sidelined.
Albion started brightly but after the first few minutes the game
descended into a midfield battle. With little creativity in the
middle of the park, Albion struggled to put any passing moves together.
Gregan's mobility and distribution were poor and Clement looked
clueless on the ball in an unfamiliar left wing position.
The only decent move in the first 40 minutes saw Johnson and Hughes
exchange a neat one-two, and AJ's cross looked inviting for Horsfield
until Smith managed to get in a challenge.
Then, on 41 minutes, the game came to life. Watford, who had been
playing a dangerous off-side game since the first whistle, finally
paid for it when Johnson played a through ball that saw both Hughes
and Horsfield running clear. It was HORSFIELD, who may have been
slightly off side, who took control and rounded the 'keeper and
fired home.
Albion suddenly looked a better team and were playing the ball around
with much more confidence. Even Gaardsoe got in on the act as he
spotted Pidgeley off his line and tried top chip him from thirty
yards - or was it just amisplacedd cross?
Just after the re-start, Helguson should've received a yellow card
when he needlessly left a foot in when challenging Russell Hoult.
Thankfully, the Baggies stopper was able to continue after treatment.
Bruce Dyer had the first real opportunity of the second period when
he headed over, but Albion soon took control.
Moore went close with a header before it was two-nil with the goal
of the game.
Gregan made his one meaningful contribution of the game by sending
HUGHES through on goal, and the Ninja curled a wonderful shot around
Dyche and Pidgeley which nestled in the far corner.
Hughes was now on fire and he turned Dyche inside out moments later
before crossing for Horsfield, but the former Blues man saw his
header saved on the line by Wayne Brown.
Minutes later, it was Hughes again who tested Pidgeley with an exquisite
chip from 35 yards which he just managed to claw over the bar.
On 66 minutes, Watford failed to clear the ball from the edge of
the box, and it fell for HORSFIELD who turned and fired the ball
into the net off the left-hand post to give Albion a 3-0 lead.
The game then petered out although Watford did manage to grab a
goal back, when substitute Fitzgerald fired home a great shot from
20 yards.
Late substitutes Lloyd Dyer and Delroy Facey tried to influence
the game late on, but it was Helguson who produced the last newsworthy
moment of the game. He lashed out at Bernt Haas after the ball had
run out for a goal kick, and received a straight red card.
It was a pleasing second half performance from the Baggies and an
important three points. Hughesey showed no signs of being distracted
by his off-field problems and produced an excellent display, and
the Horse is now on fire with four goals in three games. With Norwich
beating Sheffield United, it leaves Albion in second place five
points clear of third.
RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 3 WATFORD
1
Marks
Hoult - 6 - Not his usual commanding self, and his kicking was poor.
Haas - 7 - Another steady performance.
Gaardsoe - 8 - Another solid game.
Moore - 6 - Steady but unspectacular.
Robinson - 6 - Not his best game.
Johnson - 7 - The most impressive of the midfield with some useful
runs down the right.
Gregan - 5 - After a few good games, he produced another inept performance.
Clement - 5 - Looked uncomfortable on the left wing, without a clue
what to do in possession.
Kinsella - 6 - Steady performance, but maybe needs time to settle.
Horsfield - 8 - Great performance with two excellent goals.
Hughes - 8 - MOM. His off-field problems seemed miles away as the
Ninja produced a vintage performance.
Dyer - 7 - Had little possession but he did well when he did.
Chambers - 6 - Had little time to make an impact.
Facey - 6 - No real opportunity to impress.
The Manager - 6 - Bizarre selection to play Clement in midfield
when we have a plethora of midfielders, particularly when there
was no real creativity in the middle of the park. Brave to play
Hughes but the right decision given the performance he produced.
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West
Bromwich Albion (4-4-2):
Hoult; Haas, Gaardsoe, Moore, Robinson; Johnson (J Chambers 90+4),
Gregan, Kinsella (Dyer 75), Clement; Hughes (Facey 85), Horsfield.
Subs not used: Murphy (GK), Sakiri.
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Watford
(4-4-2):
Pidgeley; Ardley (Vernazza 78), Dyche, Gayle, Smith; Devlin (Cook
86), Hyde, Mahon, Brown; Helguson, B Dyer (Fitzgerald 71). Subs
not used: Chamberlain (GK), Doyley.
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Scoring: Horsfield
(41) 1-0, Hughes (61) 2-0, Horsfield (66) 3-0, Fitzgerald (77) 3-1.
Bookings: None.
Sending Off: Helguson (violent conduct, 89)
Referee: P Crossley (Bromley).
Attendance: 23,958. |
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