Going into the game many Baggies fans wanted the entertainment of Monday night’s game but with a winner. When the line-ups were read out it was of no real surprise that RDM had chosen the same side that got a point against Newcastle on Monday.
First Half
The Baggies started the brighter of the two sides with a passing game that was working well and long punts that Bednar could get. The Baggies pushed on from their good start giving Newcastle very little chance to pressure Carson. Albion were getting crosses in and going for goal with Tamas shooting low from long range from a corner by Brunt but Krul collecting easily. Dorrans also looked dangerous with a shot from the edge of the box just curling wide.
The first goal was finally scored by Olsson (16 minutes) with a Brunt corner finding him and, after a goal mouth scramble and a few protests, the referee and his assistant finally came to the decision that the ball had crossed the line and Albion were up and running.
Then a long ball successfully reached Bednar. He was in the box when he was brought down by Kader and won a penalty. He was pulled down unfairly I thought and it was a penalty, Kader was booked as a result. Dorrans hit the right corner of the goal out of Krul’s reach to score the perfect penalty (31 minutes).
After the second goal the game slowed down and Newcastle came into the game more. Jonas Gutierrez was constantly running at and past Jara when he had the ball, with Andy Carroll heading over the bar off a Jonas cross. Newcastle took hope from this and attacked but José Enrique could only find the fist of Scott Carson who wasn’t troubled in the first half.
After the Break
Albion started on the front foot but I couldn’t help but think that some of the pace had been taken out of the game. Albion were holding the ball and Newcastle only looked a danger on the counter. Dorrans and Koren were finding little gaps and Mulumbu was making sure the counter wasn’t easy for them but at the same time trying to help the attack
Newcastle got a goal back though Carroll after Jonas G had flew past Jara and found Carroll who volleyed the ball into the middle of the goal (62). With 19 minutes left Ameobi went down in box and the ref said no to the penalty. Albion then went down the other end and Thomas ran in the box from the right with pace charged at the goal and Ryan Taylor brought him down. Things then heated up as Smith argued with fans, players argued with players and, when things calmed down, the ref sent Taylor off. Dorrans stepped up for a second time and hit the ball in the left corner (72).
Thomas then made it 4-1 after Bednar had been robbed of the ball inside the box and Thomas then chipped the ball over Kurl and in (77). Carroll then got a consolation goal when he ran though the defence and slid the ball under Scott Carson’s body and in (91).
On Reflection
If we play like that in the league we will go up with ease. After Monday I think we might be going on a good run of form and become a team to beat home and away. Our home form should pick up after this game.