The heart sits on the left hand side of the torso. It beats on average 72 times per minute. Whilst playing a game of football, it’s believed beat between 150-170 times a minute. When watching from the stands it could almost be double that! Without heart you have no substance. You are defeated. However, heart brings courage, desire and belief. All attributes in abundance yesterday from our stars in stripes as our heroes battled gallantly for a magnificent 0-0 draw. It doesn’t sound impressive does it? But when you consider the riches Manchester City have compared with lowly West Bromwich Albion it’s a modern day David vs Goliath...and we all know how that ended.
The team
Billy Jones came in for the injured Steven Reid in the only change to the starting XI to the one which faced Newcastle. Hodgson continued with Brunt on the left and Thomas on the right.
The first half
Despite Manchester City boasting the likes of Aguero, Balotelli and the excellent David Silva in attack, it was Albion who carved out the first chance of the game inside the first five minutes. The Baggies stole the ball on the edge of the area. Slick one-touch passing saw the ball fed to Jerome Thomas. The winger passed to Brunt who spun and shot a rasping volley inches wide of Hart’s post.
But, as expected, Man City started to control the game. Albion sensibly retreated to the edge of the penalty box asking questions of the visitor’s multi-million pound forwards. However the onslaught many predicted before kick-off didn’t materialise.
It was 13 minutes until City had an effort on Albion’s goal. Silva turned Jones and sent over an inviting cross. Milner headed down and wide when unmarked on the penalty spot. A let off for Albion.
The Baggies continued to be disciplined. Mulumbu and Scharner working tirelessly in the middle. Brunt and Thomas ‘tucking in’ to support. Olsson and McAuley solid in defence and Shorey and Jones manfully protecting the flanks from the overlapping City defenders.
City were controlling the game, but, more importantly, not hurting Albion. In truth they lacked ideas when 25-yards from goal. After Silva had missed another clear opportunity when he scooped over, City’s best opportunity of the half came from a deflected free kick which left hearts in mouths in the Birmingham Road as the ball spun thankfully away from Foster’s unguarded goal.
Scharner stung Hart’s hands from long range before the Hawthorns rose to applaud our team off at half time. Forty-five minutes played. Albion had been superb.
After the break
I can’t image that Roy Hodgson likes a drop of whisky in his tea or coffee. I see him more of a single malt gentleman with a few ice cubes floating about. But I’m sure he put added belief in with the half time oranges.
Albion came out encouraged and refreshed after the first 45 minutes. Whilst we were happy to defend deep in the first half, we seemed to have more belief that we could actually achieve the impossible in the second half. Tackles were snappy, bodies thrown in front of the ball. City were again frustrated. The Barcelona-esque passes along the 18-yard line were proving fruitless. So much so that Balotelli tried his luck from 30-yards. The Italian crashing the ball against the top of Foster’s crossbar. It was a glimpse into the quality they posses.
For every last ditch tackle or sliced shot saw the belief in the side and the crowd increase. Buoyed on by a boisterous Birmingham Road end, Thomas whipped over an invited cross. Kompany misjudged the flight of the ball. Long headed down but agonisingly wide. Albion’s chance to take the lead looked to have gone. Back to defending for a while.
But it didn’t matter. Albion, for the first time in many seasons, looked solid and resilient to keep a clean sheet. This desire was typified when Aguero broke the offside trap. Yet from nowhere Gareth McAuley toed the ball away from the Argentinean and away for a corner.
The tackle again inspired the crowd and the players. Albion pushed forward again. A corner wasn’t cleared by City. Odemwingie cleverly played the ball back for Thomas. The winger fired in an excellent volley which cannoned back off the post. City were on the ropes. Albion dreams almost realised.
City threw on the cavalry late on. Johnson, Dzeko and er, Gareth Barry, were all thrown on in an attempt to unlock the Albion defence. It was pointless. Jones was immense at right back; Olsson as solid as ever; McAuley simply superb both in the air and on the ground; Shorey equally as good if not as eye-catching. Special mentions must also be given to Jerome Thomas – his second half performance was his best for the club – and Chris Brunt. Long and Odemwingie also worked hard to stop City playing through us.
Three minutes added on time were signalled by the fourth official. Finally the whistle was blown by referee Lee Mason – who, it must be said, had a very good afternoon – and celebrated as if it was a win. Strangers hugged. A Christmas miracle had happened.
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