Manchester United 2, West Brom 2: Chris Lepkowski's big match verdict
Oct 18 2010 by Christopher Lepkowski, Birmingham Mail
‘FULL marks to Roberto Di Matteo for his positive approach’ – so said Sir Alex Ferguson in his pre-match programme notes when assessing Albion’s victory at Arsenal.
I guess that same quote was appropriate after the game at the ‘Theatre Of Dreams’.
Praise, for once, is welcome. Too often Albion have been discredited as a result of ‘poor opposition’. It’s always about poor United or woeful Arsenal – never about Albion. It was the same when Blues charged up the Premier League last season – it was always down to the opposition.
In one respect, Saturday was better than Arsenal because United don’t often allow two-goal leads to slip.
Albion are, if you take the diminishing number of points needed for survival, a third of the way there.
Yet recent results are prompting an understandable readjustment of ambition.
The next few weeks will be utterly crucial. This is where Premier League consolidation can be achieved.
In the meantime, Albion fans are still basking in a haze of joy and appreciation of another impressive display.
The Baggies have proven several times this season that their position in the league isn’t some kind of fluke.
There was a brief period during their first Premier League campaign under Gary Megson where the team had won three and lost three. They were seventh in the league. You knew that was a spot of good fortune.
Not this time. And while Albion might be enjoying a run of good form – and probably won’t retain as high a position as sixth for long – there is also a growing feeling that they are going to avoid the usual Spring-like ritual of relegation. Early days, perhaps, but it’s promising.
What must have been pleasing for Di Matteo was the spirit and the ability of his players to adapt to the threat of the opposition.
The first United goal was poor. Nani’s free-kick was parried by Scott Carson. Javier Hernandez was quickest to follow up the loose ball by placing a shot past the Albion keeper.
