Mowbray praises table-toppers

Albion chief Tony Mowbray praised his Baggies team after they overtook Watford to claim, and maintain, top-spot in The Championship for the first time this season. Saturday's dazzling 4-2 victory over Charlton saw Mowbray's men rise to the summit of the division after the Hornets continued their poor form with a home defeat to Plymouth.

Goals from Roman Bednar, Zoltan Gera (2) and the returning Kevin Phillips put Charlton to the sword in front of the Sky TV cameras. The Baggies had controlled the game until against the run of play Chris Iwelumo scored a header in the 37^th minute. Charlton, who were third before kick-off, had not conceded a goal away from home in 408 minutes until Roman Bednar continued his fine scoring form two minutes before the break after an intelligent through ball by Zoltan Gera.

Gera was again in the action five minutes into the second half as he powered a pin-point header into the Birmingham Road goal to give the Baggies the advantage they deserved after a sublime Chris Brunt cross. However, the home team's defensive frailties were once again exposed on 73 minutes when a long ball over the top was chased by Charlton striker Luke Varney who cut the ball back for Izale McLeod to score at the near post.

Mowbray's men were not to be denied the top-spot though with a carbon copy Chris Brunt cross once again powered into the net by a leaping Zoltan Gera with ten minutes left to play.

Perhaps the biggest cheer of the afternoon was left for the return from injury of Kevin Phillips. The striker had missed the previous six weeks with a knee injury but returned to smash home his 11^th goal of the season after a goal mouth scramble four minutes after Gera had given the Baggies the lead.

After the game a satisfied Mowbray said: "Charlton came here with a formidable away record, but from the off, we created lots of chances.

"It was a good tactical battle and we've beaten a very, very good side.

"That was evident because they had spells when they looked dangerous.

"They've got a team full of good players," Mowbray added.

"The challenge in front of us was to go and show our own quality.

"As a coach, today again showed me it's not a negative thing to play one up front because we scored four goals.

"Charlton play the same way and if you've got good technical players, it's a decent way of playing football and controlling a game.

"It would have been disappointing not to take three points because of the opportunities we created - particularly in the first half.

"We got our rewards in the end.

"There is no set way of playing football," Mowbray continued.

"As a coach, you need to set your team out to try and get results for your football club.

"I like technical players and I want to play a flowing, passing game.

The win against the Addicks was the first on home soil in four games after draws against Sheffield Wednesday and Wolverhampton Wanderers and a 4-2 defeat to Midland's neighbours, Coventry.

"At times I get criticised that we've got out battled even though it might be a set-play goal that beat us.

"I've got to look beyond that, be brave and believe in the way we play.

"I've been accused a few times in my career of being an idealist - but I don't think that's the case.

"You can play open, attractive football and be successful.

"The time to judge is at the end of the season when we see how many points we've got and, if we miss out again, I'll be there to take criticism.

"But it's all about entertaining our supporters and the team playing a certain way." The Baggies boss finished.