West Bromwich Albion 1 - Sheffield United 0

Date:	Saturday 28th November 2020
Competition:	Premier League
WBA: 7.3	Johnstone 9.0, Furlong 7.9, Ajayi 7.2, Bartley 7.1, Ivanovic 6.3, Townsend 7.2 (Phillips, 75 5.5), Pereira 7.7, Sawyers 6.9, Gallagher 8.2, Robinson 7.1 (Robson-Kanu, 65 5.8), Grant 5.3 (Krovinovic, 75 5.9) Unused subs: Button, Harper, Diangana, O'Shea Manager: Slaven Bilic 7.0
Sheff U: 6.3
Scorers:	Gallagher (13)
Referee:	Mike Dean (Wirral) 6.6
Attendance:	0

Brendan Clegg:

This was a must-win and I’m delighted for the players and coaches that they found a way to get it.

The reality was it was crazy - we could’ve lost it 6-4 easily.

With the players named in the squad I think the side was fair enough - I’d have dropped Grant for Robinson up top and kept Grady on the left.

I was happy Bilic kept the system - we needed that.

We could’ve been 3 down in the first ten as Utd came for us with bodies and pace but through SJ, fortune and their lack of quality we held on. After that we were the better team and probably should’ve made more from chances and situations.

2nd half was like the Alamo and I’ve no idea how we didn’t concede. There were chances on the break for us but we shouldn’t be blind to the fact we were wide open and a better team would’ve scored 2 or 3.

Our subs couldn’t change the tide of the game but I thought did really well individually although I really would have kept Robinson on up top. The pressure nearly counted but we clung on thanks to Utd fluffing a real opportunity at the death.

Getting any wins this season are against the odds with our ownership non-existent, our budget minimal and no fans/VAR proving a disadvantage to clubs of our size, so this is a mighty one we should take pride from without us having the blinkers on. 12 points is still the target but so many of them earned the taste of victory at this elite level, I hope they savour it.

SJ - 9 Did everything we could ask of him. Just be brave and assertive on crosses.
Furlong - 8 Benefitting from games. Unbelievable engine and desire.
Ajayi - 7 Another decent showing.
Ivanovic- 6 Utd showed how to expose him BUT to get through the game with such an early booking was impressive.
Bartley - 7 Gave his all again. Should be scoring more.
Townsend- 6 Plugged away.
Sawyers - 7 Passing and fight were there. We were too open but he played well.
Gallagher- 7 Crucial goal and ran his legs off.
Pereira - 8 Worked hard, stayed on his feet and really involved.
Robinson- 6 Busy as usual and his movement made things happen. Wouldn’t have subbed him.
Grant - 5 Needs a rest now, offered little.

Phillips- 6 Thought he put a great shift in and was strong for us.
Krovi - 6 Showed great link up play when we were able to break.
HRK - 6 Movement, running and desire were great.

oshawabaggie:

In thirty years time every Baggies fan will remember where they were at 10 pm on Nov 27 2020 when we secured out first win...okay enough of the melodrama.

As Brendan said, it could easily have been 4-0, 0-4 or 4-4. But, borrowing the oldest cliche in football, luck evens out over the season. Aside from the dodgy first five minutes and the shakey last fifteen, I thought we looked the more composed team and could/should have increased out lead.

Once again SJ was a standout. Furlong was excellent, as were Gallagher, Sawyers and Pereira, although PLEASE stop wasting corners by going short. I wouldn't have taken off Robbo.

Is this the turning point or just a blip? We have played six of the top eight teams and have only looked awful in two games, so if we can win three of our next five, we are right back in the picture.

Ownership is once more a dark cloud hanging over the club. We know now why Jenkins abandoned ship. The only way Lai manages to recoup most of his investment is if Albion survive and even then it's iffy. If an owner is not willing to match the mid-level teams in the Premier when spending on player recruitment, why bother investing in a team?

But for now let's pop the champagne!