James Morrison returned to the starting fold after injury to help Steve Clarke record his first win away from The Hawthorns as Baggies boss.
It’s hard to believe that this was the first time we have recorded back-to-back wins this campaign, especially when we are sitting in the lofty heights of fifth in the league after 11 games.
A classic Steve Clarke era performance of defensive efficiency and quick counter attacking football ensured Albion added another three points to their tally. A result that saw a small chunk of fans blow the dust off of their passports, just in case.
The teams
Wigan named an unchanged side after an impressive win at White Hart Lane last week, despite their goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi picking up a knock in the warm up.
Meanwhile, West Brom made four changes to the side that beat Southampton on Monday night.
Boaz Myhill started between the sticks in place of Ben Foster, who was recovering from minor groin surgery. Morrison, Brunt and Lukaku all returned to the starting line-up leaving Dorrans, Gera and Monday’s man of the match Peter Odemwingie on the bench.
First half
Unsurprisingly, Wigan were the fastest out of the blocks looking for their third successive win. Mulumbu and Yacob provided excellent cover for the back four as always and we kept our shape, frustrating the home side who struggled to break us down.
Albion grew into the game and after ten minutes started to put more and more pressure on Wigan’s defensive trio of Boyce, Caldwell and Figueroa. The pressure almost paid off after 25 minutes as a misguided pass from Figueroa was intercepted by Morrison who broke clear of the defence. Al Habsi was quick off his line and bravely dived to the feet of Morrison before he could get a shot away.
The away side continued to grow in confidence and broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. Lukaku’s cross evaded everyone in the box and Brunt picked it up on the opposite flank. Brunt showed his undoubted class with a superb ball lifted over the head of the Wigan shot stopper allowing Morrison to steam in from behind defenders and power home with his head.
Billy Jones nearly double the lead minutes later with an 18-yard effort that skimmed the outside of the post.
Albion did double their lead in the 43rd minute with their 250th goal in the Premier League – that will unfortunately be given as a Caldwell own goal. Although it was definitely a shot/cross rather than a cross/shot in my opinion, so I’m giving it to Jones.
Lukaku received the ball from a Jones throw-in and held off Emmerson Boyce before threading it into the path of Jones who blasted the ball across goal. Gary Caldwell’s desperate attempt to block the ‘shot’ saw the ball deflect past the helpless Al Habsi. Either way Shane Long was waiting for an easy tap in.
However, Albion fell to sleep and within 30 seconds of the restart Wigan had pulled one back through summer signing Arouna Kone.
Maloney picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and put it out wide to Beausejour who slid the ball across the six yard box, behind the usually dependable Olsson and McAuley to meet Kone at the far post who converted.
Half time: Wigan 1-2 West Brom.
After the break
The second half started the same as the first with all the pressure on the away side but Albion remained resilient. Former Albion loanee Ben Watson - who played well all afternoon - forced Myhill into an early save. His low shot tested Myhill who did well to keep it out, although Beausejour should have done better with the follow up.
Once again it took the Baggies ten minutes to come into the game. The strong hands and razor sharp reactions of Al Habsi denied Lukaku his fourth goal of the season. A clever back heel from Shane Long put the ball across the box and Lukaku unleashed a powerful shot on the turn that on another day would have been a goal.
As expected the home side pushed for an equaliser and should have scored with 20 minutes to go. Di Santo made a great run down the left wing and pulled it back for Maloney only for him to blaze it over the bar.
They came close again in the 81st minute. A great ball from Beausejour hanging at the back post was waiting to be buried only for a mix up between Di Santo and Kone see it bounce over the crossbar.
Roberto Martinez’s last throw of the dice was to introduce Jordi Gomez and Mauro Boselli, although it made little difference.
The ridiculous decision from the ref to add five minutes at the end saw Clarke animated to say the least, something we haven’t seen since his arrival.
However Mulumbu nearly got himself on the score sheet with a minute left to play. Unlucky to see his curling effort go inches wide of the post with Al Habsi in no man’s land.
The usual calm and collected Clarke we have come to expect was nowhere to be seen at the final whistle, pumping his fists with joy at a result which leaves us in a European spot.
BOING BOING.
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