Proud Clarke left disappointed after last minute defeat

Last updated : 21 October 2012 By Wba-mad Editor

Steve Clarke revealed his disappointment after Albion’s last minute heartbreak against Manchester City.

Albion matched the champions in a first half where James Milner was shown a straight red card for a professional foul on Shane Long.

After the break the Baggies took the lead when Shane Long diverted Peter Odemwingie’s effort past Joe Hart.

Edin Dzeko equalised for City ten minutes before the end before snatching a late goal as Albion pushed forward for a winner of their own. 

“I thought we deserved something out of it,” said Clarke. 

“I thought we played well and stood up to the champions. 

“They showed when they went down to ten men they are champions for a reason. 

“Credit to them, I thought their performance with ten men was excellent. 

“We played the way we play. 

“When Peter comes on the pitch he gives us a spark. 

“He combined with Shane a little fortuitously - but Peter was lively. 

“The only feeling I have right now is of disappointment to lose the game so late.” 

City’s equaliser came in the 92nd minute after Albion pushed too many men forward at a corner. Clarke, looking back, said it was a disappointing end to another good performance at The Hawthorns.

“It may be a bad decision to go chasing the winner instead of settling for a point,” he said.

“We’re disappointed with the equaliser. 

“I thought the free-kick was soft and I thought they got a number of soft free-kicks. 

“It’s difficult because you don’t have an extra man when it’s a set-play. 

“And the set-plays coming in the box were causing us problems. 

“Unfortunately for us they got a soft equaliser. 

“From there we still wanted to win the game. 

“It’s a mind set and a characteristic we’ve got here and want to put into the players. 

"When you get a corner-kick in injury time you think you can win it. 

“Maybe we should have been a little bit more careful and made sure we didn’t lose it.” 

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