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West
Bromwich Albion v Wigan Athletic
The Hawthorns,
West Bromwich. 16th March 2004, 7.45pm. |
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As I've said before,
it's all about results at this stage of the season, and there's
been none bigger than this so far. It was a below par performance
from the Baggies against a Wigan side that seemed bent on kicking
anything that moved in stripes, but the home side kept playing and
clinched a vital three points.
Megson made the surprise move of bringing Clement back in to the
starting line-up at the expense of Kinsella, and the less surprising
change of Hughes for Hulse. They lined up as 3-5-2 to counter a
three-man Wigan attack, with Clement in the back three, but that
didn't last for long.
Wigan took an early hold on the game forcing a series of corners,
one of which forced Hoult into an awkward save under the crossbar.
Megson spotted the problem early and switched Clement to the left
side of midfield in a 4-4-2 formation, and Albion started to get
back into the game.
The game quickly became a feisty midfield battle with little goalmouth
incident. Indeed, the first shot was a long range effort from Hughes
that Filan fielded well in the Wigan goal.
Halfway through the first half, Ellington capitalised on some uncertainty
in the Albion defence and flashed a header over the bar before Albion
created the best opportunity so far. Wigan were playing a dangerous
game with a very high line, and they were caught out as both Horsfield
and Hughes evaded the offside flag. The former Wigan striker latched
onto the ball and advanced on the goal before squaring the ball
for what should've been a simple tap in for Hughes. But unfortunately,
the Ninja wasn't far enough forward and the ball flashed across
the six yard box.
Gregan received lengthy treatment after becoming a victim of Wigan's
over-physical tactics, which were so far going largely unpunished
by the referee.
Minutes later, Hughes beat the offside trap once more, at least
in the opinion of the linesman, and latched onto a delightful ball
from Koumas. As he beat Filan to the ball, he tried to lob him first
time and put the ball well over when a nudge past the 'keeper may
have produced a better chance or perhaps a professional foul.
The ball was Koumas's only contribution in what was a dismal first
half for the Welsh international as the Wigan midfield continued
to kick at his at every opportunity.
Both sides could have gone in front just before half time. Wigan
were denied by two vital blocks from Thomas Gaardsoe, whereas a
Koumas cross was met by a Clement header that went straight at Filan.
Horsfield, who had been kicked repeatedly through the first half,
failed to appear in the second due to injury and was replaced by
Delroy Facey.
The former Bolton man twice went close early on in the half before
good defending by Haas and Moore kept Ellington at bay.
With Gregan still suffering the effects of the first half injury,
he was replaced by Dyer on 52 minutes.
Koumas finally sparked into life and beat four Wigan defenders before
firing into Filan's arms before a long range effort from McCulloch
beat Hoult, but also beat the crossbar and hit the top of the net.
Neither side could create many chances but Wigan probably had the
edge in midfield. Megson's response was to bring Kinsella on for
Koumas to add a bit more bite.
Ellington did an impression of his suspended strike partner Jason
Roberts but lashing out in frustration and became the third Wigan
player to be booked in a game when they could've easily been a man
down already such was their foul play.
The game burst into life on 73 minutes when Haas was harshly adjudged
to have handled McCulloch's header at the far post - personally
I thought Haas had his back to the ball so I cannot see how it was
intentional. But the penalty was given and LIDDELL fired it beyond
Hoult's right hand into the net.
But the visitors' lead did not last long as four minutes later,
Hughes beat the offside trap once more and this time, as he attempted
to round Filan, the 'keeper brought him down. The referee awarded
the spot kick and brandished the red card that the 'keeper deserved.
HUGHES fired the spot kick high into the roof of the net, although
substitute 'keeper Walsh may have got a hand to it.
From then on, only one team was likely to score. Gaardsoe went close
with a 30-yard drive with his left foot, before a Hughes knock down
from Dyer's cross fell at Johnson's feet, but AJ couldn't get it
from between his legs and was tacked before he could make it two
goals in two games.
But as the game moved into injury time, another Dyer cross and another
Hughes knock down this time was met on the volley by GAARDSOE who
beat Walsh from 12 yards and snatched the three points for the Baggies.
Albion have been criticised for their bullying tactics, but were
out-bullied by a useful Wigan side. Five bookings and one sending-off
was much less that Jewell's thugs deserved, and the fact that no
Albion player was booked speaks volumes. Albion were out of sorts
and were at times out-fought, but they stuck at their task and kept
going for the full ninety minutes to secure a vital three points.
RESULT - WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 WIGAN
ATHLETIC 1
Marks
Hoult - 7 - Largely untroubled, but did what he had to do well.
Gaardsoe - 7 - Variable distribution but solid defending and great
finish.
Moore - 7 - Fairly solid.
Clement - 5 - One moment of good skill when he almost put LH through,
but largely useless.
Haas - 6 - Did OK.
Johnson - 7 - Worked hard.
Gregan - 7 - Probably the most effective midfielder in the first
half.
Koumas - 5 - Didn't really fancy it.
Robinson - 7 - Defended well, got forward when he could.
Horsfield - 6 - Got a lot of stick and didn't really sparkle.
Hughes - 8 - MOM. Some great runs, worked tirelessly and stuck the
penalty away well.
Dyer - 7 - Another good showing, but still needs to work on crossing.
Facey - 7 - Bright performance but needs a goal.
Kinsella - 6 - Shored up the midfield to a degree.
The Manager - 7 - Clement was a mistake and unexplainable, but the
substitutions worked well.
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West
Bromwich Albion (3-5-2):
Hoult; Gaardsoe, Moore, Clement; Haas, Johnson, Gregan (Dyer 52),
Koumas (Kinsella 67), Robinson; Hughes, Horsfield (Facey 45). Subs
not used: Murphy (GK), Hulse.
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Wigan
Athletic (4-4-2):
Filan; Eaden, De Vos, Breckin, Baines; Liddell (Flynn 85), Bullard,
Jarrett, McCulloch; N Roberts (Walsh 77), Ellington. Subs not used:
Mitchell, Jackson, Farrelly.
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Scoring: Liddell (73
pen) 0-1, Hughes (77 pen) 1-1, Gaardsoe (90+1) 2-1.
Bookings: Wigan Athletic - Jarrett (foul 11), N Roberts (foul 19),
Ellington (foul 70) McCulloch (foul 78), Baines (foul 86).
Sending off: Wigan Athletic - Filan (professional foul 75)
Referee: H Webb (South Yorkshire).
Attendance: 26,215. |
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