West Bromwich Albion 3 - Crystal Palace 2

Date:	Saturday 27th February 2016
Competition:	Barclays Premier League
WBA: 7.8	Foster 6.2, Dawson 7.4, McAuley 7.1, Olsson 5.5, Brunt 6.6 (Chester, 41 6.8), Sessegnon 8.0 (McClean, 74 5.9), Fletcher 7.2, Yacob 7.2, Gardner 7.5, Berahino 8.4, Rondón 7.9 Unused subs: Myhill, Anichebe, Lambert, Pritchard, Sandro Manager: Tony Pulis 7.1
Palace: 5.7
Scorers:	Gardner (12), Dawson (20), Berahino (31)
Referee:	Jon Moss (West Yorkshire) 5.9
Attendance:	24,806 Home Fans 7.7 Away Fans 5.4

oshawabaggie:

One hundred minutes of gripping football. The first thirty of which saw us put in the best attacking display for a long time. Unfortunately, the second half was a nervy affair, initiated by a cock up between Olsson and Foster. Although Ollie should have dealt with it, I thought Foster was slow to come out.

Our dominance in the first half hour was down to some superb link up play between Sess, Berahino, Rondon and Gardner. Yes, Gardner. But it has to be said that Palace were awful and allowed us far too much space in midfield.

Berahino showed once again that he has a pedigree strikers touch and was unlucky not to get a second when he hit the bar with a typical far post curler.

In a perverse kind of way, the Brunt incident may have galvanized the team and reminded the fans how important their true support is. Nevertheless we continue to struggle whenever we find ourselves more than one goal ahead. This is odd for a team that is still one of the leaders in clean sheets.

Barring a total collapse, it looks like we should be safe. This surely should allow Pulis to show that he can coach in a more attacking style. We saw promising evidence today for a third of the game at least.

BilneyBoinger:

Silence from the usual moaning bastards.......

Well here we have it. The £30M gem wakes up and we see the treasure and the silence is golden.

35 points is more than any other could or would ever produce. Pulis is a genius. A genius. Admit it doubters.

Steve Fereday:

Message to Bilney. In football when we play we are supposed to win. So when we do and put in a good performance, which we did and was great to watch, it is an easier human trait to say nothing, then it is to see a poor performance and criticise.

It was great to see the front 3 perform as they did, and refreshing to see Pulis set up that formation. And he was so bullish about how they played on the MotD interview. To be honest I don't want us to win at Leicester (just personal as I have £50 on them at 30/1 to win the league), but I would like to see that front 3 play in all the remaining games this season. We are not going to be relegated, so lets see how we can play with freedom and attacking intent. The first half was a joy to watch and took me back 40 years.

Tony let your heart rule your head for a few months.

On the Leicester subject, I watched their game online yesterday. At every Norwich corner they left Vardy, Mahrez and Okazaki on the half way line ready to have a go back. And of course this meant 3/4 Norwich blokes marking them. Can you believe this, 3 left upfront ready to have a go and they are top of the league.

Brendan Clegg:

Fantastic first half performance built upon an complete change of tactics and approach.

We started very quickly, the whole team pushed up higher, Sess, Saido and Rondon linked together really well, we pressed Palace all over the place and we were positive.

Key to this was our use of the ball - for most of the first half the whole defensive set of the team; the back 4, Gardner, Fletcher and Yacob, were far more patient than we've been in weeks. Gone were the aimless hoofs or diagonal long balls - they all looked the keep the ball, to go sidewards when necessary, to work openings, to wait for a clear pass to Saido, Rondon or Sess into feet and then play it.

We were transformed by this approach. Sess saw loads of the ball, Rondon looked a different player and Saido had his best game of the season for us and possibly his best performance in an Albion shirt.

I thought Fletcher really showed leadership - he led by example in refusing to play a pass unless it was on, holding the ball until we were ready. He was also much better for it.

All 3 goals were good.

The first was a great move, Saido showing his class in picking a pass to Rondon (the sort of pass he should be judged on but that we've seldom attempted this season) who got a good shot away across goal from a tight angle and Gardner followed in well to earn the goal. (The fact we had 3 people in the box from open play demonstrates a marked change in approach).

The second was great cross and a great header from Dawson.

The third was probably our best team goal in a few years - I think it was Dawson who hit a firm but accurate pass into Rondon who held it and layed it wide to Sess before sprinting towards goal and stretching their defence. Sess hit a terrifically weighted pass and Saido finished it on the volley with his wrong foot.

We could've scored more. Brunt's injury - caused by his repeated bravery to go charging into Zaha high up the pitch as soon as the ball came near him - was a blow and we did lose balance after that.

2nd half was different. Palace didn't show up in the first half but really went for it. Olsson's early gaffe put us under pressure and as soon as Bolasie was on we were in big trouble.

Removing Sess and later Rondon invited the pressure more and we just about got away with it.

Some people may think this proves Pulis is a genius. I think it proves that even without arguably our two best players this year (Evans and Mozza) apart from when we play top half teams away from home, this is the approach we should always take. We'd still be in the cup for starters.

I'd be delighted to be wrong about Pulis if it meant we played like this every week. This was entertainment. This was a performance to be proud of.

But this could also be another false dawn. And there is still the concern about handing Pulis money for transfers.

We should also factor in how bad Palace were and how different the game was when Bolasie was on the pitch.

Progress should be measured between now and the end of the season.

Foster - 6 Did OK, I think the first goal was Olsson's error.
Dawson - 7 Good game - pressed high, great goal, much better on the ball.
GMac - 8 Immense. Defied his age again, some great covering on Bolasie 2nd half.
Olsson - 6 Error blotted his copy-book but his reaction was great. Spent the rest of the game defending for his life rather than shrinking or looking shakey.
Brunt - 7 Up until his injury played with great courage in pressing Zaha high and hard knowing that in behind he'd be vulnerable.
Sess - 8 Sparkling form. Creative, end product, great linkup play.
Fletcher - 8 Much better. Calm, hardly gave the ball away all game, read it well.
Yacob -7 Standard solid Yacob performance but some great higher pressing.
Gardner - 7 Did his job really well and sensible use of the ball.
Saido - 9 Great goal, mature use of the ball and hold up play and deserved more. A class act.
Rondon - 7 Fantastic contribution. Partnership with Saido looked way better.

Chester - 6 Did a decent job again.
McClean - 5 Wasted opportunities on the counter.
Sandro - Occupied a large space on the pitch.

michael mills:

Delighted and so pleased, with a much needed 3 points, and massively improved performance. Play like we did in the first half, and Bilney's best mate gets no criticism.

We all want the very best for West Bromwich Albion.

BilneyBoinger please don't stoop to the level of abuse and profanity, to longstanding supporters, who are entitled to their opinions, just as you are. Passionate, loyal, dedicated fans, moan at times, because it is necessary. We all love the Albion. In my humble opinion, Pulis is still no "genius", but I wish him well, and hope the football on offer, continues to improve.