It was hoped that New Year’s Day would bring a change of fortune for the Baggies but sadly it wasn’t to be. Albion dominated this game against the league leaders and they easily won the midfield battle ahead of United’s more experienced midfield. Even after falling behind early to a Rooney header they still managed to get themselves back into the game through a fantastic strike from James Morrison. From then on it was really all Albion and they should have taken the lead mid way through the first half when a lovely passage of play saw the revitalised Graham Dorrans bearing down on the visitors goal before he was unceremoniously hacked down by the past it Gary Neville. Somehow the referee that couldn’t wait to give two very soft penalties against Albion when they played Stoke earlier in the season saw fit not to award anything. It was obvious to everybody in the ground and everyone watching at home that it was a penalty and a sending off for Neville. Chris Foy didn’t give a penalty and United kept eleven men on the pitch. However, the Baggies remained on top and still looked the more likely winners and in the second half it looked like they would take the lead when Ferdinand tripped the ever dangerous Thomas in the area. Up stepped Peter Odemwingie and he pushed his shot wide of Kusczack’s right hand post. Albion had lost Reid to injury and the impressive Pablo was to follow shortly after the miss to leave the Baggies, already with a patched up defence, with James Morrison playing at right back and Gianni Zuiverloon deputising at centre half. Sadly, the changes in defence let United back into the game and they took advantage with Hernandez losing his marker at a corner and putting a header past Carson. The visitors held onto the lead to record only their second away win of the season and leaving West Brom to look down at the teams creeping up behind them having now lost four games on the trot.
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