West Brom 5, Watford 0: Andy Walker's big match verdict
Nov 2 2009 by Andy Walker, Birmingham Mail
The last time Albion produced a five-star show on a par with this (away at Middlesbrough on September 19), they followed it up with a run of seven games that produced just four goals and one victory.
The same shouldn’t be allowed to happen now. And if the Baggies approach every fixture in the same emphatic manner as this one, then that won’t happen.
Right from the off, there were signs of a potential goal-fest against a previously in-form Watford side, who had gone six games unbeaten on the road in the league.
It took just over four minutes for the first to arrive. Graham Dorrans floated in a free-kick from the left and Jonas Olsson peeled off his marker Craig Cathcart to head home at the far post.
Albion were enjoying themselves and a surprisingly poor Watford were on course for a Halloween horror-show.
In the 17th minute, Moore scampered on to Olsson’s long-ball from deep before being brought down by Adrian Mariappa in the box. Dorrans stepped up to lash the spot-kick convincingly home.
Watford had half-chances come and go at the other end. A mix-up between Olsson and Abdoulaye Meite allowed Danny Graham to drive a volley wide while Mariappa headed over.
Lively Moore looked to have won his team a second penalty in the 33rd minute.
Having been released by Cox’s clever through-ball, Moore tapped the ball beyond Loach before hitting the ground. Referee Nigel Miller looked as if he was going to point to the spot but instead he showed Moore a yellow card, and replays showed that it was a correct decision.
Instead of taking their foot of the gas in the second half, the hosts continued to press. Olsson had a header cleared off the line by Lee Hodson while Cox nodded over.
At the other end it was clear that this was going to be a pointless day for Watford when Graham mis-hit a sitter into the side-netting and Albion soon moved in for the kill. Another intelligent pass from Cox, put Moore in on goal and, despite having his initial shot saved, he gathered up the rebound to sink his second attempt before dashing to Di Matteo in celebration.
Zuiverloon then got in on the act in the 63rd minute by rifling home from the right side of the area before Cox grabbed a goal that he deserved five minutes later.
Moore chested down and Cox thumped his low effort in from 20-yards to spark cheers all round.
