Albion boss Tony Mowbray revealed an unusual disappointing first-half performance inspired a change of tactics at half-time which helped the Baggies gain their second consecutive 1-0 Premiership victory. Roman Bednar's third goal of the season in the 61st minute proved to be enough to deem Fulham to a fourth consecutive defeat and leave
An uneventful first-half was just shaded by the home side with the impressive Bednar squandering an early chance after a fine through-ball from
However half-time 'tinkering' by Mowbray gave Albion the advantage during the second 45-minutes with Ryan Donk hitting the post from a header, James Morrison having a header cleared off the line before Bednar sent The Hawthorns into raptures and gave the Baggies their best ever start to a Premier League campaign.
"We're happy with the result," Mowbray said after the final-whistle.
"We played against a decent team.
"Clint Dempsey dropping off the front gave us plenty of problems.
"In the first half, Fulham reminded me of our team when we play at our very best.
"They move the ball around very, very well.
"Murphy and Bullard are top players.
"But a bit of tinkering at half-time managed to stop the service to Dempsey and I thought we were much better.
"I think on the second-half performance we warranted the victory.
"We created the better chances and we're delighted to get the points for the effort we put in.
"It was a tactical thing, trying to condense the space between our midfield and our backline, which restricted Dempsey getting in there.
"You've got to stop good players playing - and they've got plenty of good players.
"I thought we did that better in the second half.
"As we found out, if we just take them on in a football match they are more than a match for us.
"So we did the other side of the game better and, in the end, we got the victory from a set-piece like last week."
Although more accustomed to an expansive, open attack-minded philosophy Mowbray again reserved praise for his rearguard which kept another clean- sheet after last week's shut-out at The Riverside. Now on the back of consecutive wins and clean-sheets the Baggies boss is looking forward to the daunting task of traveling to Old Trafford, albeit with confidence running high in the camp.
"The clean sheet was crucial and, defensively, I felt we were sound again," Mowbray continued.
"The players put such effort into every game that the ones who are not going away with their national teams will enjoy the next ten days or so before we start building up to the next one, which is a nice easy fixture at Old Trafford!
"Today's result was really important for us.
"It keeps the momentum going and gives the players a confidence and belief they can compete in this league and that we shouldn't fear whoever we play.
"We'll be ready to go to Old Trafford and try and make life difficult to see if we can pick anything up there.
"It's a great opportunity and a great challenge for us.
"That's why we worked so hard last season.
"To get into this league and have the opportunity to go to Old Trafford and compete against some of the best players in the world is great credit to this group of players.
"We'll go there and hopefully give a good account of ourselves.
"The team deserves a lot of credit for being out there and competing with the quality in this league.
"Fulham are not one of the bright lights of the Premier League and yet you could see they are a good football team.
"I'm delighted we are giving a good account of ourselves, sending the fans home happy and working hard to get better collectively and individually."