Peterborough 0, West Brom 2: FA Cup joy for the Baggies
The class of on-loan Arsenal striker Jay Simpson inspired West Brom to earn a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Simpson's 18th-minute strike helped the Baggies to overcome a potentially tricky third-round replay against Peterborough at London Road.
United were dreaming of an upset after drawing 1-1 with Albion at The Hawthorns 10 days ago, but a second goal eight minutes before the interval from defender Paul Robinson crushed their hopes.
Albion should have taken the lead as early as the sixth minute when Leon Barnett headed a cross from Jonathan Greening inches wide of the far post.
But the League One side gave Albion a real scare moments later when Charlie Lee took advantage of some indecision in the Albion defence.
The midfielder burst into the penalty area and was ready to celebrate an opening goal but his clever chip fell the wrong side of Scott Carson's right-hand post.
But Simpson settled Albion's nerves with the opener - his first since joining the club from the Gunners.
Simpson, on-loan until the end of the season, collected a pass from Roman Bednar, swivelled on the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a rasping 20-yard shot into the corner of net.
Posh hit back immediately but George Boyd's shooting was not up to the same standard and his 25-yard shot was well held by Carson.
Albion's grip on the game forced Posh boss Darren Ferguson into the technical area in a bid to rally his side.
But they were being thoroughly outclassed by the Premier side who possessed two quality strikers in Bednar and Simpson.
Peterborough had to rely on goalkeeper Joe Lewis to prevent Bednar from increasing Albion's lead in the 33rd minute.
The striker weaved his way into the penalty area and was invited to shoot by Peterborough's back-pedalling defence. The Albion striker seized his opportunity but Lewis dived low to deny him.
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