Albion 1-3 Man Utd
By Stuart Kidson
January 12 2003
Its typical of the Baggies luck this season to have to face Manchester United in their first Premiership game and then again just as United appear to have found the kind of form that has seen them crowned Premiership Champions 7 out of the last 10 seasons.
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United
Saturday 11th January 2003
Its typical of the Baggies luck this season to have to face Manchester United in their first Premiership game and then again just as United appear to have found the kind of form that has seen them crowned Premiership Champions 7 out of the last 10 seasons. A look at the team sheet for United reads like a Who's Who of international football with the likes of Beckham, Barthez, Van Nistelrooy, Forlan and Keane. The ground was, as expected, packed to the rafters and the atmosphere was electric.
Sean Gregan was the only change from the side that had cruised into the 4th Round Draw of the F.A. Cup, courtesy of his fifth yellow card of the season picked up at The Valley over the Christmas period with Phil Gilchrist returning to left-back and Ronnie Wallwork retaining the midfield position against his former club. United were without Giggs or Veron, but were able to field a team where every player had got experience of international football.
It was clear from the kick off that United were a different proposition to any other team faced by The Baggies at home this season and they soon made their mark. Keane passing to the elfin faced Solskjaer, who raced past Darren Moore only to meet Russell Hoult diving to save at his feet.
The Baggies first real venture into the United half saw Jason Koumas and Danny Dichio combine with some neat passing which ended with Dichio's first shot at Barthez's net going wide of the mark. Rio Ferdinand's wayward cross-field ball was prevented from reaching his target, Silvestre, by the on form Jason Koumas. Danny Dichio made his run which took defenders away from the rampaging Koumas and opened up a clear route for the young Welshman. The shot from the edge of the 18 yard area beat the French international and found the back of the Smethwick End net. The Hawthorns erupted into a frenzy of BOING BOING.
United's response to this upset came within a minute when David Beckham crossed from the right to find Dutchman Ruud Van Nistelrooy who poked home the equaliser. United dominated the midfield for the majority of the first half and Roy Keane saw his 25 yard strike fly wide of the Baggies left upright shortly after the restart. The Baggies defence were almost static when a Beckham cross found the unmarked Solskjaer, who headed across the face of the Brummie Road goal and out for a goal kick.
Danny Dichio appeared to have been impeded by Gary Neville, but Mr. Neil Barry was unimpressed by the shouts from the stands for a penalty and seconds later United were in front. Roy Keane chased a ball to the touchline and delivered a cross for Paul Scholes to strike with a ferocious right foot volley which flashed past Hoult and into the net.
The Baggies had started the game with the battling spirit that has earned them respect from every team they have played this season, but United were beginning to find their rhythm and their domination of the midfield was the key.
The second half saw the Baggies give away a free kick to the left of the Smethwick End goalmouth. Beckham looked as if he was shaping up for one of his trademark shots but pulled the ball back to the foot of Scholes whose shot went wide. Again it was Jason Koumas who proved to be the inspirational figure for the Baggies and he set off on a wonderful run that saw him beat three red shirts with ease before crossing for Neil Clement who unfortunately ran out of room for a shot.
United's third came from a Gary Neville cross which beat Scholes and Icelandic defender Larus Sigurdsson. Solskjaer, who was offside, pounced and rifled the shot into the top of the net. Despite protests from the East Stand, the linesman did not flag and once again United got the benefit of the decision.
The game was not entirely one-sided and the Baggies gave a good account of themselves throughout, especially in the second half. During a brief period towards the end the Baggies pinned United back in their own half, but despite this every ball played over the top of the midfield saw a red shirted defender clear the danger. Jason Roberts earned the home side a free kick after being blocked by Wes Brown, but Koumas’s kick hit the wall and was cleared.
At 3 – 1 down it was time to take a chance and Jason Koumas hit a speculative long range shot from outside the box that bounced just in front of Barthez who gathered up the ball onto his chest. United again tested Russell Hoult and again he lived up to the now common chant of 'England's Number One' when he prevented a fourth for the Reds.
The win sees United now two points behind Arsenal at the top whilst the Baggies slipped into last place thanks to West Ham moving off bottom by one point following a 2 – 2 draw with Newcastle.
Team
Russell Hoult, Larus Sigurdsson (75), Darren Moore, Phil Gilchrist, Adam Chambers (86), Jason Koumas, Ronnie Wallwork, Andy Johnson (Capt), Neil Clement, Danny Dichio, Jason Roberts
Subs
Joe Murphy, Derek McInnes, Igor Balis (86), Scott Dobie (75), James Chambers
Man of the Match (Selected by Mr. Kevin Heffernan of Smethwick)
Jason Koumas