Mowbray amazed at Scunthorpe victory filled with 'goal-of-the-season' contenders

A beaming Tony Mowbray could not hide his delight after his team's 5-0 demolition of Scunthorpe United established their position as league leaders going into the New Year. The normally subdued Baggies boss stood back in delight as his team brushed aside a Scunthorpe outfit with a selection of 'wonder goals' who also saw both defender Marcus Williams, and subsequently, manager Neil Adkins dismissed.

After a patient opening littered with Baggies players caught offside, the deadlock was finally broken in the 35^th minute with Kevin Phillips scoring a looping volley into the top left-hand corner of the goal after a long cross field pass by James Morrison. A stoppage time strike in first-half injury time by Robert Koren ensured the home team were two goals to the good as the half finished.

Phillips doubled his tally for the match, and scored his 15^th league goal of the season, seven minutes after the restart with a sublime left-footed chip after James Morrison attempt to round the 'keeper had been cleared. The breathtaking goals were to continue to the delight of The Hawthorns faithful with Zoltan Gera scoring a scorching volley after Scunthorpe had failed to clear a corner. The icing on the cake was completed when
Scotland international Craig Beattie latched onto a Jonathan Greening pass and curled an unstoppable 'trademark' shot into the right-hand corner of former Baggies 'keeper, Joe Murphy's net.

"Beattie's was an amazing finish, as was Gera's and Phillips' second," the Baggies boss purred.

"They were wonder goals.

"We almost had a goal-of-the-season competition in one day!

"There was some pretty spectacular stuff."

The emphatic victory, along with the stylish win over Bristol City on Boxing Day, saw the Baggies extend their lead at the top of The Championship over nearest rivals Watford to three points. Albion have now scored four goals or more in their last three home games with the highest goal difference in the division, plus 27, pleasing the manager.

"I enjoy watching good football," Mowbray added.

"I thought we moved the ball around the pitch well today.

"There were some great individual goals.

"We enjoy winning, which is why we're here.

"But there are no easy games.

"In every game in this division you have to earn the right to win."