West Bromwich Albion 1 - Sunderland 0

Brendan Clegg:

A pretty good performance and a massive early three points on the board, especially given the very harsh opening fixtures we've been handed.

In fact you could make the point that this was almost a must win game if we are to stay up - not just because you have to beat the likes of Sunderland at home to do so but because given our opening run of games we could conceivably be a few points adrift as early as October through no fault other than facing sides where we will be very lucky/have to play beyond ourselves to pick up any points. And coming back from that sort of opening couple of the months of the season is a big challenge.

Was pleased to see Ollie back in the side, not because I don't rate Ibanez but simply because I think it's important that in these early matches continuity is maintained from last season in key areas.

Likewise I was glad to see Brunty back in a more attacking role - because we know from previous experience that his quality at striking the ball can be effective at this level and let's be honest, although he can keep the ball well and gives us height he is not a natural holding midfielder.

The new bloke - whose name I cannot spell and will therefore be referred to as the Black Russian - was a bit of a gamble I thought, but from his career statistics sounded promising.

As it happens it was a good gamble. We played pretty well for 70 odd minutes, looked to have run out of steam but nicked a goal when they were coming into it more and managed to hold on.

From back to front I thought Carson had a decent game, the back 4 were rarely troubled although we gave away a number of very silly free kicks we were nearly punished for. We were also at times a little panicky and rushed but we generally kept Bent and Campbell quiet. In midfield we were on to for most of the game apart from 10-15 minutes towards the end of the second half and when we tired - Mulumbu, Brunt and Morrison (probably having his best game in 18 months) the star picks.

Up front the Black Russian proved to be a willing runner and worked really hard - he should have scored inside 10 minutes and took his goal really well. He's a bit Joe Kamara-esque, only probably not as quick or slight, stronger on the ball and capable of playing with his head up a bit more. Very promising and took his goal really well.

The only real concern was that after about 75 minutes we looked knackered, a couple of players looked like they were really struggling and we were beginning to be overrun and lose our shape - we just managed to snatch the goal but I think better sides would have have come after us. It looked like we needed fresh legs but we got away with it and soon after the goal made some changes which did enough to make us look fairly resilient again.

Credit to the players and coaching staff, the pressure is off now for Liverpool away.

• Carson - 7 Not really a lot to do but was decent enough in his kicking and held everything. One tremendous save.
• Jara - 5 Struggled and gave the ball away too often for me. Would prefer Reid or even Loon here.
• Tamas - 7 Some silly fouls but generally strong and solid.
• Ollson - 7 Ditto as above - a couple of more panicky moments too.
• Cech - 8 Pretty good game, got forward well and dealt with most things his side. A case of what might have been 2 years ago when he should have featured more?
• The waaand - 8 Won 90% of everything we sent at him in the area, the crossbar is still shaking from the 30 yarder he smashed and unlucky with an overhead. He really grew into tis league last time and looked comfortable today.
• Mozza - 8 Best game in ages, worked his socks off and was brave enough to demand the ball and try and make things happen. Great pass for goal, looked injured at the end and stuck his head in where it hurts towards the end.
• Mulumbu - 8 Basically was left to pick the ball up off the back four and defend on his own. Did really well.
• Dorrans - 6 Quiet and maybe even a little unfit. Played in an advanced role but struggled to get involved as much as we'd like.
• Thomas - 6 Started well but didn't look comfortable after falling awkwardly and was subbed at half time.
• Black Russian - 7 Great first half but looked out on his feet after the break, got a second wind after about 80 minutes and took his goal really well.

Subs -

• Barnes - 6 Started really well and got some great crosses in, then tried too many step overs and suffered a crunching but fair tackle (probably the heaviest since he cam back from his ankle problems) and he looked to be limping and scared of the ball from then on. Was fouled mercilessly a few more times but we were carrying him in the end.
• Reid - 7 Came on and shored us up, won everything that came near him - one brilliant tackle was disgracefully given as a foul.
• Shorey - 6 On for a short while and did some excellent tracing back and dirty work.

Referee and linesmen were very poor for a change.

Dave Watkin:

OPENING HOME GAMES

This is the first time Albion have won the first home fixture after gaining promotion to the Premier League. Previously, we?ve lost to Leeds United and Everton and drawn with Aston Villa, although after the ?great escape? we did win, 2-1 against Portsmouth. In contrast, on the six other occasions we?ve been promoted, we?ve taken maximum points from our first match at The Hawthorns five times. The victories were over Everton 2-1, Notts County 2-1, Blackpool 4-0, Charlton Athletic 1-0, and Oxford United 3-1, the exception was in 1976, when we lost to Liverpool.

Our best top flight Hawthorns opening win was 5-0, in 1982, against Brighton & Hove Albion, although we equalled that score in consecutive seasons in Division Two against Leeds City (1906) and Burnley (1907). More recently, in 1991, in our first ever Division Three match, we hammered Exeter City 6-3.

BAGGIES AT HOME TO SUNDERLAND

This was our second consecutive home victory against Sunderland; we won 3-0 on Saturday 25th April 2009, thanks to goals from Jonas Olsson, Chris Brunt and, on his home debut, Juan Carlos Menseguez. Prior to that, we had suffered an eight game run without a win, spread over fourteen seasons. Our previous top flight victory, also 1-0, was on Wednesday 24th April 1985, when Nicky Cross netted the winner. The crowd for that game was 7,423, the lowest league gate at The Hawthorns for 28 years.

MATCH REPORT

Albion scored a dramatic late goal at The Hawthorns to earn a deserved victory over Sunderland. The Baggies were the better and more positive side for much of the game, with a mixture of quick passing and through balls for our pacy striker.

Roberto Di Matteo made just two changes. Jonas Olsson was selected ahead of Pablo Ibanez in central defence and newly signed striker Osazemwinde Peter Odemwingie replaced Roman Bednar up front. There was a slight adjustment to the formation, with Mulumbu operating in front of the back four, allowing Brunt to play wider right in a midfield four. Our other new signing, Somen Tchoyi, watched from the stand.

In the first penetrative move of the match the Baggies created a glorious chance. Youssouf Mulumbu slipped the ball forward to Chris Brunt, he found Odemwingie, who pulled away from his marker, but faced by the advancing keeper, dragged his shot wide of the post. The home side were looking the more impressive, but shots from first Morrison and then Cech failed to test the keeper. The visitors only threatened from set pieces. A well worked Albion move, involving Morrison, Dorrans and Cech, ended with a spectacular overhead kick from Chris Brunt which skimmed the crossbar.

At half time Albion were forced to substitute Jerome Thomas with Giles Barnes. The referee awarded yet another free kick to the Mackems, but a header from Bent was closer to the corner flag than the goal. Odemwingie then earned the Baggies a free kick near the corner flag. Graham Dorrans almost surprised Mignolet with a fierce cross shot, but he parried the ball back to the Scotsman and then nicked the resultant cross off the head of Olsson. Into the final quarter-of-an-hour and Sunderland almost snatched the lead. A long range shot from ex-Baggie Kieran Richardson was brilliantly tipped over by Scott Carson, and then from the resultant corner he clutched a downward header from Onuoha. In the 81st minute, Albion?s patient build-up paid off as they refused to simply fling a long centre into the area. Gonzalo Jara played a pinpoint pass to James Morrison, he spotted Peter Odemwingie making a run and played the ball into his path and this time the Nigerian international took one touch before stabbing the ball past Mignolet. Albion brought on Steven Reid and Nicky Shorey to tighten up the midfield against an expected Sunderland onslaught. Nevertheless, Chris Brunt almost eased the tension with a glorious clincher, as he latched onto a pass from Marek Cech and lashed a dipping thunderbolt from thirty-five yards which crashed against the bar with the keeper well beaten.

This was a good all round performance. Scott Carson was faultless, mostly untroubled but made one good save. The central defensive partnership, ably led by Jonas Olsson, was strong and the two full backs were involved in many of our better passing moves. Chris Brunt stood out in midfield, but so did James Morrison and Youssouf Mulumbu. Strangely, Dorrans seemed off the pace, maybe not fully fit. Thomas and particularly Barnes caused problems. Peter Odemwingie looks the real deal, didn?t allow an early miss to affect him, worked hard, has pace to burn and took his second chance effortlessly. Arguably Chris Brunt did enough to earn man-of-the-match, but I?ve picked Peter Odemwingie, for his debut goal just 48 hours after arriving in the country.

This was the first of no doubt many ?must win? games and the points propel us into the safety of mid-table. We mustn?t get carried away, Sunderland looked poor except for a short spell after the break and if the referee, Mr Friend (no friend of ours) hadn?t awarded them numerous dubious free kicks, they would hardly have threatened at all.

ALBION FORMRATE: GOOD

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: PETER ODEMWINGIE

Lamp Baggie:

No doubt a great victory and a welcome 3 points. Peter Odemwinge had an excellent debut capped with a fine goal, finally we have a striker who has a good first touch & plays with his head up, however, he poses little aerial threat & Carson continued to hoof the ball up in the air to him with little effect.

I'm not a fan of 4-5-1 at home and against a shockingly poor Sunderland we just scrapped home, I would have liked to have seen Bednar on with Odemwinge & take the game to Sunderland, we had the lions share of possession but only created 3 attempts on goal (on target).

Good to see Brunt on wing he's no central midfielder (he's got no bottle) - I would have liked him & Barnes to have swapped wings & play on their natural sides (even for 5-10 minutes).

Defense was solid enough although Jara's passing was poor & with 4-5-1 full backs didn't get forward.

Midfield on top for most of game & Mulumbu was excellent, although Dorrans appart from a couple of crosses looked out of sorts.

After last weeks hammering Bobby didn't want to concede and as we are in the results business we'll take the 1-0 victory.

Davo from Dudley:

I thought that for the first home game of the season, several players looked quite lacklustre. Jara wanted too much time and too many passes went astray (and I really rate the bloke)Dorrans seemed to be suffering from some sort of hangover, and Thomas wasn't really that lively.

Having said that, the overall performance was very good, with some excellent football played. I particularly liked the way Brunty and Mozza were continually interchanging and causing the Sunderland defence problems. (Particularly Bramble) Other good performances were, the goalscorer (cant pronounce his name so I'll call him "Pete") was very lively, Giles Barnes was a threat and deserves his place and I thought Ollie was magnificent especially first half.

Downsides - three as mentioned above.

Lets hope that this result is a kickstart and not just a fluke.

Baggyjon:

Given the clinical mauling by Chelsea, much of which we brought upon ourselves, I was heartened by the display against a below par Sunderland. I admire the courage of our leader not to make too many changes but also to gamble with a travel weary striker who repaid us handsomely.

The great advantage that Matteo has over Mowbray is his willingness to change a formation or system when it obviously is not working. The performance against Chelsea, which was positive in the first half, was in retrospect pretty respectable compared with the subsequent annihilation of Wigan, Blackpool and Villa.

Certainly the re-introduction of Olsson steadied the ship against Sunderland. I firmly believe that we can achieve a position of 14-16 in the league as long as we don't talk ourselves down.

Notes of caution;

• Jara looks vulnerable at fullback.
• Dorrans will take time to adjust to the pace of the Premier.
• Mulumbu will need greater awareness to prevent being caught in possession.
• The pace of Pete. has already highlighted the limitations of Bednar.
• Is Miller too big to be a footballer and is Thomas injury prone?

Bring on Liverpool.