West Bromwich Albion 4 - Leeds United 2

Summary:

Neither a typically inept performance by referee Rob Styles, nor two sloppy goals conceded could take the shine off the best Albion performance for a long time as Leeds were steamrollered throughout the second half at the Hawthorns.

It nearly went horribly wrong as Paul McShane was sent off for pushing Albion old boy Geoff Horsfield and Styles awarded a penalty, despite the Albion players showing him that the divots in the ground created by the incident were clearly outside the box - but justice was done when Irish International David Healy sent Zuberbuhler the wrong way but blazed his spot kick wide of the goal.

Just before half time Albion opened the scoring when Martin Albrechtsen, who had moved to centre half to stand in for McShane, headed in a corner at the far post.

The second half was almost one-way traffic thanks to the substitution of the lumbering John Hartson by fit-again Joe Kamara, and the pacy striker terrorised the Leeds defence - scoring twice and creating a simple tap-in for Phillips. Leeds still managed to scare the home team by bringing the score back to 3-2 thanks to Horsfield and Stone, but Kamara's second in injury time settled the nerves and made certain of the points.

Credit must go to caretaker boss Nigel Pearson for remaining positive by keeping two up front after the sending off, and to the three remaining midfielders who had to work like Trojans when Greening was put at right back; but gold stars must surely go to Kamara and Albrechtsen for match-winning performances. Anyone who doubts that we have a squad good enough to secure automatic promotion should surely reconsider.

Jules:

Absolutely wonderful to see the baggies play with some heart and determination for once. I thought Koumas played with a good sense of discipline and used the ball intelligently, he was very unlucky to be booked (as were most the team). Phillips showed some wonderful skill and control in the second half as did Kamara (i'm suspicious hes putting himself in the january shop window). Hartson on the other hand was the weak link, he received the ball quite well but tried to pass, head or flick it on too quickly. Hes not at full fitness yet. Bricktop shouldn't have been sent off in my opinion, reducing the team to ten men and awarding a penalty was a double advantage to Leeds, thankfully they didn't utilise both these advantages. His suspension does cause even greater grief to the "outs" list for the moment, something Pearson or the new man has got to think about. Chaplow replacing Gera seemed to welcome Leeds back into the game, but then who can really sub Gera and have the same impact?

A little statistic to bear in mind: Robson in charge of 9 league and cup games this season in which we scored a total of 11 goals. Thats an average of 1.22 scored per game. Under Pearson in just 3 games we've scored 9 goals, that's an average of 3 per match. Early days I know but one can see the difference already. What would have happened today if Robson was still here? I dread to think. We created our own luck today. Long may it continue.

Johno:

A game that had everything!

It was good to see the level of team spirit following the sending off. I think it was a great pity for McShane as he was having a good game. I dont think we can complain about the penalty but from where I viewed the game I thought the sending off was harsh as I dont think the trip was deliberate.

Full marks to Pearson for keeping two men up front and substituting Hartson who is becoming more and more a handicap. He is woefully unfit and his effort has to be questioned.

Joe may not have much ball control, but he scares defences and forces the errors. A great player to have as a substitute as he adds paces when defences are getting tired. It was great to see Jason back in control, and working harder than we have seen in the past.

A good all round performance given the circumstances and somewhat of a selection problem in midfield as both Koumas and Carter have shown that they are better in central mid field than out wide.

Lord Charles:

It was probably back in February (Blackburn) when I last enjoyed a game so much at The Hawthorns. There were so many positives to come out of the game which at last gives our supporters something to smile about.

I wonder though if it was pure chance that enabled Pearson to name such an attacking line-up or would we have seen a midfield of Koumas, Quashie, Wallwork & Carter had everyone been fit?

Nevertheless attacking it was and although Albion dominated the opening half an hour we really did not look like scoring. The turning point came with the award came with the award and subsequent miss of Healy?s spot kick. Having had the benefit of seeing the incident on TV again it was as I suspected outside the penalty area.

My heart sagged when I saw Rob Styles warming up. I was under the illusion that Albion had requested he never take charge of another Albion game. Styles is a show man and appears to love the attention but take that away and all you have left is a dreadful referee. I cannot recall ever being impressed with him (Villa (h) last season Spurs (a) Cup Replay, Villa (a) the year before) all instantly come to mind.

Styles decision making was awful from start to finish. Leeds should have ended the game with 10 men and possibly 9. Derry, who was booked for diving should have seen a second yellow for a nasty challenge on Koumas but Styles bottled it. The reaction of the crowd suggested that Phillips did not dive (and if he did why?) and if so Warner should have gone as well. These incidents were not isolated they were typical of the way Styles handled the game.

Only Zubi ?howler? and Hartson failed to come out of the game without credit. McShane had to go (one of the few Styles got right) but it was a case of tangled of legs more than anything and it IMHO was not a professional foul. Up to then McShane had been superb. I am not a fan of Red Rum (Alby) but concede he had his best ever game in an Albion shirt. I have been critical of Phillips?s contribution so far but he too did very well. Carter looked at home in the middle of the park and Greening did well at full back (unless he had to head the ball!). I?m sure there is more to come from Gera and Perry was his usual solid self.

Any prospective manager would have drooled over that performance especially when you consider Watson, Clement, Gaardsoe, Davies, Wallwork, Quashie and Ellington were all unavailable.

The final word must go to ?Jo? Kamara. I think it was Andy Hunt?s final 6 minute hat-trick on his home debut against Brighton in 1993 the last time I saw a sub make such an impact on a game. Jo was simply magnificent and either scored or made all of our last three goals. His pace frightened the life out of Leeds and this performance made many people (myself included) eat their words (let?s hope it is not a ?one off?...) Well done ?Barn door Jo? well done Pearson well done Albion.

Funky Fudge:

How on earth is that idiot Rob Styles still employed in football as a referee?

He really has to be the worst referee in football - I can't remember a worse performance by an official in any game - this wasn't your usual "the ref seems to be giving all the 50-50's their way" stuff - this was the "the ref has no idea at all" stuff.

The irony is that his sending McShane off and awarding the penalty probably helped us win the game (once they had missed it of course).

Heathens:

Referee Rob Styles gave possibly the worst performance that I can remember by an official at The Hawthorns. This is obviously not sour grapes as we won, but he was a disgrace, how Koumas can get booked and Derry not for two similar tackes was unbelivable - oh, wait a minute, didn't that mean that Derry would have been sent off? Better not make the correct decision then.

Rob, stay in the Premiership. You are a buffoon!

stourkid:

Having landed at Birmingham Airport at 3pm, I decided to still get to the game by taxi and leave the luggage to the missus! Also saw another Baggie at the Airport who'd given his ticket away. He ended up the poorer as we witnessed a game that will live long in the memory. I arrived at about 3-35pm and asked a steward to let me in, he had absolutely no idea what a stilecard was, when I said "That's my season ticket" he said "Yeah, pull the other one!" Eventually he asked a Senior Steward, who directed me to the one remaining open turnstile!

I'd missed the penalty incident but saw all the goals. I can't remember a better midfield performance in recent years, we actually had flair! Kamera was devastating, that dribble was a sight to see, the later lob sheer class. Koumas frequently tackled back, great to see him with Gera. Carter is a revelation this season, an immense contribution. Albie superb, Phillips should have scored and not dived, but was excellent. The whole team deserved the ovation, the midfield three especially. Thank you Pearson for playing two up front with 10 men, a courageous masterstroke, a few months back we wouldn't do that even when we had 11.

Special mention for the Horse, I know we were 3-0 up when he scored, but the reaction of the whole ground in applauding and chanting his name was superb, what a shame we sold him. One concern, after Chaplow came on we conceded 2 goals, and they went balls out for a third, I think we were missing a leader at that stage. Another concern is Zube.

Whether we can "realistically" keep with this sort of flair team when away from home remains to be seen. Certainly repeats of this sort of home performance would fill the ground and ensure promotion.

Didge:

I have to echo the comments about Pearson's decision making, which effectively won us the game. A few weeks ago if we had been reduced to 10 men we would have had have every man behind the ball trying to hang on for 0-0.

The midfield was creative and for the first time in months it was genuinely entertaining to watch. But we will need a holding player for future matches where we need to grind out results.

Whoever comes in will have to re-balance the squad because we are short in central defence and with strikers, but with loads of midfield. With the sending off we are now down to the bare bones for the Wolves.

I think most players can come out of the match with credit, especially Kamara, and Philips who has shown that there is much more to his game than goal poaching. I think your correspondents have been a little harsh to Zubi though. He has had some very poor games, but this wasn't one of them. Apart from one blunder at the end he had a good game and every kick was good in this match. He is no PIG, but we are in danger of creating a self fulfilling prophesy if we criticise when he does Ok.

Dave Watkin:

Ten Men Topple Leeds

Albion shrugged off the disadvantage of a first half sending-off and went on to record their biggest win against Leeds United at The Hawthorns for over seventy years, when in injury time, they netted their hundredth league goal against the Yorkshiremen.

All this seemed impossible when just after the half-hour mark referee Rob Styles, who had an appalling game, sent off Paul McShane and awarded the visitors a penalty. They missed it and the Baggies then played their best football of the season to establish a three goal lead, only to concede two late goals before sealing maximum points.

Much of the credit for this victory belongs to Nigel Pearson. I commented after the Luton match, that in this division we should select four mobile midfielders capable of going forward, because with the quality players we've got, we need to make the opposition worry about us. This is what the acting manager did. When we lost a defender he switched one of the midfielders to full back, continued to press forward and was rewarded with a goal. At half-time it was clear that John Hartson was unsuited to playing in a ten-man side, but rather than switch to four in midfield with one up-front and defend the lead, Pearson chose to bring on a forward and play him up front, with the result that we dominated the game and really deserved our big win.

Diomansy Kamara was superb. His pace terrified the visitors and his skill and finishing was reminiscent of Thierry Henry! Jason Koumas and Darren Carter were the stars of the midfield, Martin Albrechtsen did brilliantly at centre half and Jonathan Greening filled in well at full back, with Kevin Phillips operating as an excellent foil in attack. Geoff Horsfield scored one and made another for the visitors and deserves credit for not celebrating either, as do the home fans for the generous reception they gave him.

Rob Styles was inconsistent throughout. He had to give a penalty for what was a clumsy challenge but hardly a red card offence, with the keeper and another defender in close proximity. He booked Jason Koumas for a late challenge, but for an almost identical foul on the Welshman, Derry, already booked, received only a ticking-off. Worst, was when Phillips rounded the keeper and was brought down for an obvious penalty and red card. The referee booked Phillips for simulation! Why would a striker dive rather than roll the ball into an empty net? Has Mr Styles never played the game?

My final thoughts. The football world was shocked when Jeremy Peace parted company with Bryan Robson, with Albion 9th and five points behind the promotion places. After Saturday's game we were in a play-off position and only two points away from automatic promotion. In three games we've scored 9 goals and notched two wins, which would have been three if our last minute "winner" at Luton had not been disallowed. Team spirit, which looked to be rock bottom after the Robson dismissal, appears to be back at its best. I cannot believe that the Chairman will dispense with the man responsible for this improvement, especially with no obvious replacement in sight. I would like to see Nigel Pearson placed in charge until at least the end of 2006.

TEAM NEWS

Nigel Pearson made four changes. Martin Albrechtsen and John Hartson returned as injuries forced out Steve Watson and Nathan Ellington. In midfield Zoltan Gera and Jonathan Greening came in for Nigel Quashie and Ronnie Wallwork.

HIGHLIGHTS

Albion looked the better side in the opening exchanges. Their best goalscoring attempt came midway through the first half, when from a Martin Albrechtsen cross a John Hartson header looked to have beaten Warner, only for the keeper to fling himself to his right and tip the ball away.

In the 33rd minute the game erupted with a penalty and a sending-off. Leeds intercepted a pass just inside their own half and played the ball forward quickly. Geoff Horsfield used his experience to get goal-side of Paul McShane and the young defender could hardly avoid bringing him down. It was an incontestable penalty, but a very harsh dismissal. David Healy took the spot kick, but as Zuberbuhler dived left, he pulled his shot wide of the opposite post.

The Baggies remained positive as Albrechtsen moved to central defence and Greening switched to right back. Then in the 40th minute, amazingly, we took the lead. Jason Koumas swung in a tempting in-swinging corner, the keeper misjudged it and MARTIN ALBRECHTSEN rose unchallenged to head home.

At half-time Diomansy Kamara was introduced for John Hartson. In the 65th minute we found out why. Darren Carter won the ball with a determined challenge inside the Albion half, exchanged passes with Kevin Phillips and raced away down the left wing. He crossed in front of the keeper and DIOMANSY KAMARA, making a run which the Welshman is no longer capable off, slid in to carry the ball and himself into the back of the net. Three minutes later Albion looked certain to extend the lead and wrap up the game. Kevin Phillips beat the offside trap, rounded the keeper and went down in a heap. Surely a penalty and red card, but no, the referee booked the Albion striker for diving!

The third did come, in the 79th minute and what a memorable goal it was. Paul Robinson played the ball forward to Diomansy Kamara and faced with three or four defenders he embarked on a mazy run, in which he seemed to beat each of them twice before reaching the touchline and clipping the ball inside for KEVIN PHILLIPS to side-foot home.

Albion brought on Richard Chaplow for Gera and perhaps naturally, relaxed and were punished twice. In the 82nd minute Geoff Horsfield was allowed to turn and his cross-shot crept in at the far post. Then in the 88th minute the Horse was involved in a second goal. This time he flicked the ball onto a post and it rebounded to Stone who netted easily.

In the 2nd minute of added-time, as Leeds pressed for an equaliser, Albion broke away and cemented victory. Jason Koumas won the ball and fed Kevin Phillips and he rolled it forward to DIOMANSY KAMARA who, as the keeper came out, coolly and calmly lobbed the ball left-footed over his head and watched as it dropped under the bar into the vacant net.

ALBION FORMRATE: EXCELLENT

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: DIOMANSY KAMARA

Brendan Clegg:

Due to various injuries the team today was full of attacking players. As a result we were far more creative than normal but also a bit more open. To be honest... I'd rather see us line up like this every game... The centre midfield before the sending off was doing pretty will, Greening kept the ball moving and Carter was winning the centre aerial battle and making some good surging runs.

McShane being sent off came from us giving the ball away stupidly but from where I was sitting was probably the only decision all game the referee (a total joke) got correct all game. Last man, foul.. He had to go. That seemed to really galvanize us and we worked harder than we have at all this season, the midfield in particular was full of running despite being a man short however I don't really know if we played that well or if Leeds are that poor.

Hartson started but didn't really move, on a few breaks we had we crossed only for him to be behind play. To be fair to Nigel Pearson I thought he got his substitutions and tactics spot on today - not that I'm saying he should be the new gaffer.

Many of us have been saying that Kamara would tear this league up and that's exactly what he did for 45 mins. Can't help but think Robson would still be in a job if he hadn't broken his foot in pre season.

Anyway.. Much improved positive attacking performance and they all deserve to keep their places apart from Zubi who I thought was dodgy again.

• Zubes - 4 Scares me to death. Nearly threw the ball straight at their players head in 2nd half.
• Robbo - 7 Much more like the Robbo we know. Loved the battle.
• Perry - 7 Hardly put a foot wrong.
• McShane - 6 Up until the sending off was excellent.
• Albrechtson - 7 Good raiding runs in the first 30 - adapted quite well to centre half although got sucked in a couple of times.
• Koumas - 7 Could not fault his work rate all game, great passing, set pieces & tackling back, is earning my respect back.
• Carter - 8 Best game I've seen him have for us. I'm his biggest critic but really put in a shift today, made some great runs. I'd take this level of performance every week over a wonder goal every ten games and nothing else.
• Greening - 7 I quite liked him in the middle as he is quality in possession. Did a job at right back to be fair to him.
• Gera - 7 Started brilliantly but was knackered by the time he was taken off which I thought was the correct decision.
• Hartson - 5 Gave away free kicks and didn't move. Did some good link up play but in the wrong areas. If he's fit he's a real asset but at the moment he ain't doing it.
• Phillips - 6 Good movement and running for a guy his age.. Earned his goal, should have had another.

Subs-

• Kamara - 8 Great running & dribbling, finishing like that would have kept us up last year. Oh well. Must start next game surely?
• Chappers - 6 Good energy when he came on and some nice touches.

Final thought: I'm so glad Greening is off corners. We scored from one today. Amazing.

BLOWERS:

Well. Pheww!!! That was breathtaking at times (especially at 3-1 & 3-2!) To be honest we totally dominated the game for all apart from the last 10 mins.

When was the last time that we scored 4 goals with 10 men? If ever? A very brave and correct decision from NP at half time to bring on Joe and the first time I have seen us attack for 90 mins for a long, long time. I have no doubt in my mind that with Robson in charge we would not have won that game.

The penalty/sending off was one of those that could have gone either way and was probably the only thing that Styles got right and if it was a pen it was a red card. It does create problems at centre back though? We signed Alby as a centre back and now it looks like he will get a shout. I think we may need to go into the loan market for a CB or RB if Davies is not close to fitness.

One of many good forward moves led to a far post cross with Alby nodding-in, this was a real shot in the arm for the ten men. Then a great tackle and run from Carter led to a far post cross and Joe slid-in to score with left and right thighs! The third was a wonderful bit of jiggery-pokery from Joe and the poacher Philips got a deserved tap in.

We then capitulated a little and seemed to sit back with the substitution of Gera/Chappie. Horse scores and the whole ground stands to applaud and cheer. Then Horse hits the post and Stone taps in. Now the only thing you could here from the home crowd were a few heavily beating hearts!

Then we break away and MOTM Joe finishes with a cracking chip (he must have been playing loads of FIFA 2006 during recovery!!!)

A good performance football wise. A brilliant performance attitude wise and I personally think a corner turned. Boing Boing!

• Zubi ? Simply rubbish.He is the size of a house and couldn?t catch a cold 1/10
• Perry ? Another good performance, but still a little small 6/10
• Alby ? Fast, attacking and a goal. Great stuff 8/10
• Macca ? Very gritty and goes in where it hurts, but small for a CB 7/10
• Robbo ? Just love his dedication and passion 8/10
• Greening ? Still quiet, but did a job at full back 6/10
• JK ? In and out a bit, but he really is the class we have been missing 7/10
• Carter ? Still looks immobile, but better at centre mid 7/10
• Gera ? Better again. Looks like he wants to be in the shirt again 7/10
• Hartson ? Awful. Awful touch, awful fitness. Awful. 3/10
• Philips ? Workrate is fantastic and deserved goal 8/10
• Joe ? My first maximum for 2 seasons! What a 45 minutes. More please! 10/10
• Chappie ? So inconsistent, looked in trouble today, but difficult for him 5/10
• Pearson ? Well done. A man who makes brave decisions. At last!! 6/10
• Albion fans ? We get better as the players do! Attendence still poor. 7/10
• Leeds fans ? Great support from a club in turmoil. 8/10

Match highlight ? Robbo?s headed clearance at the feet of Leeds U player ending in injury to Leeds U players foot. Legendary.

Particular player mentions go to

• Alby - showed his class and has great pace from full back, so adds another dimension.
• JK - oozes class and with full fitness will take this league by storm.
• The Horse ? Oh to do a straight swop for Hartson.
• Joe ? more please, a great 45 minutes.

Ref ? You are NOT a TV star, so stop performing to the cameras.

Lamp Baggie:

What a great performance & result - once again IMO a game of 2 halves - first half scrappy - we created a couple of chances & for once we had some luck as Leeds missied penalty - & then we scored from a corner! - excellent centre by JK & smart finish from Albie.

JK played well but kept coming inside & so we had no real width on the left - once again Johnny H laboured but he nearly scored - hes not a worker & unless we bombard the opposition with crosses hes not going to do the business - the Horse turned in another committed display he really works for his team.

HT and Pearson swops Kamara for Johnny H & what an impact every time we went forward we looked like scoring - and we eventually got 3 excellent goals - Leeds late 2 strikes were undeserved but I'll take 4-2 any time.

So how will we move on from here we need to be positive and let other teams worry about us - the pace of Kamara is frightening - & from what we have seen so far of this division we have nothing to fear if we play to our strengths.

McShane played well but the Horse rumbled him - & he'll be out for a few games - Albie did well at CB & gives us some height in there - also I believe this was his original position. Also Watson is an option for CB but adds little at right back - welcome back Curtis.

Carter 10 times better in centre mid battled away & some great link up play - out of Wallwork & Quashie - for me Quashie has played the better & supports the attack.

Zubi looks shaky but I dont think Houlty is the answer any more - for me the communication between the keeper & defence looks poor & needs to be sorted.

Impressed with Pearson beileived in team & made the right the options apart from late sub.

Robson's constant fear of losing will take a few games to change but I think the future a lot more brighter now - what a difference a positive performance & win does - bring on the Dingles!

Baggie Craig:

What a performance against Leeds and down to ten men too. A lot of my thoughts have already been posted by other keen Baggies Fans, I just like to Mention 4 points: -

1. Koumas was exceptional and if Kamara didn't have the game of his life would have quite comfortably received MOM.
2. Geoff Horsfield - After scoring a good goal which any striker would have been proud of reacted superbly with a very subdued celebration, whether this was more due to them being 3-0 down at the time or out of respect for his former club. Plus a fantastic ovation by the fans even when he scored.
3. Mr Pearson - Well done even though we were down to ten men we still went for it and played brilliant. Tell me Mr Pearson is this just a one off or could we expect performances like this off you all season, if so do you want a job? think there may be one going??
4. Hartson you're flipping rubbish, don't get me wrong you could play better football then me but against other professionals you look out of your depth. You had an amazing first game and now look a total waste of space.

I don't know what the rest of you fans think but i've been a firm believer in PACE. PACE PACE PACE it's so hard to defend against and my theory today proved right. West Ham use a lot of pacey players and it worked last season for them.

I'm looking forward to our next game!!

Come on you Baggies