Firstly let me start by wishing everyone a great and prosperous new year.
Following our defeats at Bolton and at home against Blackburn this was a game we needed points from, but could we show the same fighting spirit that we showed the mighty Reds at Old Trafford?
The Teams
Albion: Carson; S Reid, Scharner, Ibanez, Cech; Mulumbu, Dorrans, Morrison, Brunt, Thomas; Odemwingie. Subs: Myhill, Miller, Shorey, Cox, Tchoyi, Zuiverloon, Fortune.
Man United: Kuszczak; Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Obertan, Flecther, Carrick, Anderson; Berbertov, Rooney. Subs: Amos, Owen, Evans, Bebe, Gibson, Fabio, Hernandez.
First half
From the kick off Morrison sent a ball goal bound 18 yard effort which Kuszczak had no problem dealing with. After some exchanges in the midfield the ball soon found its way in our end with Rooney ever alert to find a cross from Evra with the England man guiding it past Carson.
From where I was sat in the East Stand it looked a soft goal we should have delt with. One down after only 3 mins, but give credit where it is due we came at them with Morrison and Thomas linking up only for Thomas to fluff his lines when through on goal.
Fatty Neville was having a poor game and was led a merry dance by Thomas. Following a ball in to their box and Odemwingie putting Vidic under pressure the defender headed the ball out to Morrison who lashed it 25 yards in to the top corner Goal!!!!!!!!!!
We can do this. We were on the up, now it was Cech to get in to the action with a shot wide of the mark. Thomas and Morrison liked up again with Thomas loosing the hapless Neville for Kuszczak to see the danger and clear the ball.
Morrison sent a ball that split the defence to Dorrans who was goal bound only to be brought down by the useless Neville. Penalty it has to be? No, Chris Foy bottled it a disgrace pure and simple. We came back with a Brunt effort that just flew over the bar from 25 yards.
We continued to dominate the game with United not getting near our goal with some poor passing and movement. Half time.
Half time team talk: “More of the same you brilliant Baggies, we have them rattled!”
Second half
We started just like we finished the first half on the attack Thomas again leaving Neville, laying off Brunt to shoot wide from 18 yards, then back we came again with Dorrans having his shot deflected by Anderson.
From the corner Paul Scharner came so close with his diving header to put it wide. After that Man U panicked in to making some subs; Hernandez and Gibson on for Obertan and Berbatov.
Yet again Thomas ran riot and found himself going passed Ferdinand only to be brought down in the box, yes, penalty!
No, No, No, missed from Odemwingie scuffed his shot wide, that gave Man U hope as Carson had to make a good save from Rooney things got worse for us as we lost Ibanez and Reid in quick succession.
Zuiverloon and Tchoyi on that changed the game for us big time. We allowed them to get back into the game, which we had totally dominated.
Carson stopped a shot from Carrick and pushed it out for a corner. Rooney fired in only for us to leave Hernandez unmarked, goal.
Back we came with shots from Brunt Thomas and Dorrans but to no avail.
On reflection
Ever felt like you have been mugged? Well that game, we were.
Some great performances with Tamas and Jara out. Reid and Ibanez showed great character and calm presence on the pitch; Dorrans looks like his coming back to his best; Thomas, Brunt, and Mulumbu all played their part in a game we should never have lost.
As for the missed penalty, Pete has a lot to carry the expectation from the fans to score must be massive and maybe someone else should have taken it.
As for the goal Carson should have come for the ball and Tchoyi could have done better. But if Reid and Ibanez were still on the pitch we would be talking a different game.
Keep the faith, we will be here next season.