Roberto Di Matteo revealed his delight at Albion’s first win of 2010 hailing the 3-1 victory as ‘terrific’. The Baggies brushed aside their promotion rivals with relative ease thanks to Graham Dorrans’ 11th goal of the season and strikes from Roman Bednar and the ever-dangerous Jerome Thomas.
Despite injury concerns regarding Graham Dorrans and Roman Bednar prior to kick off, Di Matteo named an unchanged side for the fourth successive game sticking to an attacking 4-5-1 formation. In the first half United simply couldn’t get to grips with the Baggies with Jerome Thomas and Graham Dorrans particularly eye-catching.
Dorrans won and converted a penalty in the 18th minute with Roman Bednar doubling Albion’s lead 13 minutes later in a dominate opening 45 minutes for the hosts. United rallied briefly after the break with a penalty of their own two minutes after the break however Jerome Thomas extended Albion’s two goal cushion a mere 63 seconds later.
"I'm very pleased with our performance,” the Italian beamed.
"That is the most important aspect because we needed to win.
"It is always difficult against Sheffield United but, in the first half, we were 'terrific' - as Harry Redknapp says!
"I have to say, both penalties looked a bit soft.
"But I didn't have a good view of either so I can't exactly say why they were given.
"Roman could have had a hat-trick in the first half.
"But the important thing is we're creating chances.
"Roman scored a good goal and we won so I don't want to be too critical about that.
"We've been creating chances in the last four games and we've scored plenty of goals.
"Creating chances is the sign of a healthy team because, sooner or later, you're going to score and win a game.
"It was a matter of time for us because, after the Forest defeat, we've done well."
The victory reduced Forest’s lead over third-placed Albion to just two points with the Baggies having a game-in-hand against Blackpool on Wednesday. The Tangerines are ten points behind the Baggies however Di Matteo is taking nothing for granted.
"We're still behind and we still have to play that game in hand," he continued.
"It won't be an easy one, Blackpool away.
"They are doing well this season, especially at home.
"They play some good football.
"But we're in a position where we can kick on.
"We've got to try to stay up at the right end of the table for as long as possible and be involved at the end of the season.
"But we've been playing many games.
"Today was our fourth in 12 days so the players couldn't keep up the tempo they started with.
"They are human - and that's natural."