On a bright and sunny afternoon in front of 22000 plus fans, Albion took on their promotion rivals in this top of the table clash. Surprisingly, Middlesbrough started the game as favourites to win.
Before kick-off, the players were geeing each other up with high fives, fist pumping, and Carson speaking to every player almost man for man! This was an Albion team full of confidence and ability, although when looking at the team sheet, there was no place for Cech, Koren, Teixeira or Wood in the starting line-up.
As expected, Middlesbrough started brightly, were quick into the tackles, and I thought we were going to have our work cut out! A couple of early defensive errors from Martis and Zuiverloon had me fearing about our defensive frailties and how we could be in for a tough time, especially with Boro’s Adam Johnson being in such good early season form and scoring goals for fun!
How wrong I was to be. After that first 10 -15 minute spell, Albion took to the task and took control of the game.
Albion open scoring
From the outset the referee seemed to be over fussy and quite frankly inept, stopping the game for petty decisions and often getting them wrong. That proved to be the case when he awarded us a free kick for an innocuous challenge, which he deemed to be a push outside the Boro box in the 17th minute. Up stepped Brunt, whose shot took a wicked deflection and left Coyne in their goal going the wrong way. 1-0 to Albion, our fans ecstatic at taking the lead and the first rendition of The Lords My Shepherd.
That goal did two things: one, we went up a gear, and two, Boro looked dispirited. By now Dorrans, Mulumbu and Thomas were rampant in midfield, totally running the show! Dorrans particularly was superb chasing everything down passing accurately and always being available when needed. Mulumbu, in his own inimitable way was all over their midfield players breaking up their moves and supporting out our defence when they were being threatened. Thomas was always lively, looking to get behind their back four and always an outlet when we were breaking at pace from the back. I was thinking how I wish we had them in the side last year, I was positive we would still be in the top flight!
I was jolted from dreaming of what might have been when we scored what can only be described as a stunning goal, and one which Albion fans will rave about for years to come!
A speculative through ball was too long for Moore to latch onto, and was cleared by Coyne directly to Brunt, who fired it straight back into the net from fully 40 yards! 2-0 to the Albion, Boro fans silenced, in total shock, and the second rendition of T.L.M.S. All that and only 30 minutes gone!
Baggies’ dominance
By now Albion were totally in control. Olsson commanding at the back, Mattock making good runs and linking well with Thomas, even Martis doing the safe thing by putting the ball into the stands when under pressure! Dorrans and Mulumbu were now in a different class and with Bednar and Moore making intelligent runs on and off the ball, I knew we had more goals in us. At this point I can’t remember Carson having to make a save and thinking how great it was to be a Baggies fan. A wry smile crossed my lips as our fans sang “You’ll be sacked in the morning” and “Villa reject” as Southgate looked stunned and deflated in his technical area, which he probably wanted at that particular point in time, to swallow him up!
It got better, Dorrans jinked his way down the left and chipped into the box, which was met by Mulumbu who “rose like a salmon from the river of dreams” and headed over Coyne into the top corner. 3-0 away from home against serious automatic promotion rivals, our players joyous for Mulumbu (borne out by the congratulations, smiles and back slapping), our fans now so happy that the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade were concerned they would be overwhelmed with Albion fans who had got side splitting injuries!!! Despite that, the third rendition of T.L.M.S. was the loudest!
After the break
The second-half continued pretty much as the first. Southgate had obviously had “words” at half-time and Boro came out with a bit more fire, but as a contest, it was all over. Had it been a boxing match, the ref would have stopped the fight! Senor Di Matteo had told our boys go out and finish the job and enjoy it - because that is exactly what they did. Albion played sensible, simple football with good, controlled passing and movement, and to be honest, looked as if they could score whenever they wanted to!
However, Albion fans had to wait until 82 minutes for the fourth goal which came from Roman Bednar, who in typical Roman style, took it with aplomb dancing past the hapless Boro defender, and firing into the bottom corner of the goal! Yes, you are getting the drift now, more Albion ecstasy, more concern from the S.J.A.B., and the fourth time for our anthem to be sung with gusto!
Baggies fans were by now taunting the Boro fans by singing such classics as “We can see you sneaking out”, “Cheerio, Cheerio” and “Can we play you every week” as they left the stadium in droves. Even RDM was chuckling at such quality Black Country humour!
Deservedly, Jerome Thomas scored our fifth goal which he had been threatening to do all game with his tricky and clever runs and crosses into the danger area. It’s 5-0, Albion supporters Boing, Boinging and a fifth and final version of “the anthem” was to follow.
(If we can keep Thomas out on the pitch regularly, he is a nailed on match winner and will be RDM’s first name on the team sheet!) By now Middlesborough were all in and could not wait for the referee to blow for full time, whereas Albion looked like they could play all night and probably would have done!
On reflection
In summary, a fantastic away performance, and, accepting Boro were poor on the day, we were superb with outstanding performances from Dorrans, Mulumbu, Thomas, and Olsson. Elsewhere, Moore and Bednar did well, the former being replaced after about 60 minutes following his return from injury by Koren who slotted in to the game like he’d been there from the start. Mattock also went off with injury following a couple of Middlesborough heavy tackles on him, but I though he did well both in his defensive work and it’s very pleasing to see how he links up with Jerome Thomas - the two of them have quickly developed an excellent understanding.
Also, our players all looked fit and sharp, with the midfield full of running and stamina. Congratulations have to go to the coaching and fitness staff for getting them into such good shape early on, something that is vitally important!
After such a good win it probably sounds churlish to talk about negative points but I am concerned that Zuiverloon still cannot defend properly, too easily loses his concentration, but did OK on the day from an attacking perspective. Martis needs to improve his distribution when on the ball, but in the air seems fairly comfortable, winning most balls that came his way.
Finally, on a positive note, Chris Brunt who at times in the past has had his commitment called into question by some Baggies fans, had a great match scoring two goals one of which was brilliant. He looked sharp and hungry and will always be dangerous cutting in from the right to shoot with his fantastic left foot!
COME ON YOU BAGGIES!!!