Roberto Di Matteo was delighted his side managed to carry on where they left off before the international break. Before the fortnight off, the Baggies bounced back from a mini-slip with a five-star show against Watford and a highly respectable win away at high flying Leicester City and yesterday ended Bristol City’s seven game unbeaten run in style.
City, backed by a bumper following in the Smethwick End, were blown away by Albion in the early stages with Jerome Thomas capping off a fine individual run down the left squeezing in a shot past Dean Gerkin seconds after Gianni Zuiverloon had cleared off the line. The advantage was doubled in the 12th minute when Graham Dorrans found Chris Brunt with a diagonal ball which cut open the Robins’ defence. The Northern Irish winger neatly controlled the ball before rounding Gerkin and passing the ball into an empty net.
After the break Di Matteo’s men continued where they left off with Simon Cox forcing Louis Carey to score an own-goal only a minute into the second-half. Albion were on top and four goals in front only minutes later when the impressive Jerome Thomas whipped in an inviting cross with Simon Cox poking home to extend the Baggies’ lead.
Gary Johnson’s men scored an excellent consolation seven minutes from time when Paul Hartley fired an unstoppable free-kick past Scott Carson. However despite not being able to keep a seventh clean-sheet of the season, Di Matteo was still delighted with the comprehensive victory.
"Looking at the other results as well as our own, it was a good day for us,” said the Italian.
"It was an excellent performance.
"We started from where we finished before the international break.
"You're always a bit concerned as to whether you can keep that momentum going when there's no game for two weeks.
"But I'm very pleased and delighted with the performance today.
"We looked very strong because Bristol City are a good team.
"An early goal is always in the game-plan as it settles the nerves and helps you a lot.
"The next goal when you're 2-0 up is vital and we managed to score a third goal early in the second half.
"The fourth soon followed and the game was over. It was perfect, really."