Manager Roberto Di Matteo hit back at his side's critics after West Brom roared back to the top of the table by crushing Watford 5-0 at The Hawthorns.

Jonas Olsson put Albion in control after just five minutes with a close-range header before Graham Dorrans doubled their advantage in the 18th minute from the penalty spot.

Luke Moore scored at the start of the second half before Gianni Zuiverloon and Simon Cox gave the final score a resounding look.

It was only Albion's second win in seven games and their first goals in three and Di Matteo said: "It is amazing we get all this criticism for not scoring in two games. We are still up there with the top scorers.

"It is a very tough division and it seems to me that people expect us to be 10 points ahead of everyone else. But I cannot see any team running away.

"The criticism did upset me as we have a young team. I know at the end of the day it is all about results and we want to get results but people also forget we have very important members of our team who are missing.

"We have been up there at the right end of the table all season and we have to stay there as long as we can.

"I just want to get promoted and then I will be a happy man at the end of the season."

Even the margin of the win failed to lift Di Matteo's mood and he added: "I am not particularly happy. I would rather win five games 1-0 rather than one game 5-0 as it is only three points at the end of the day."

Watford, who have not won at The Hawthorns since 1995, had been unbeaten in their previous six away games.

But poor defending in the opening stages cost them dearly and manager Malky Mackay said: "It is obviously very disappointing.

"We have got to do the basics properly. If we do that we can be competitive. If we don't, and give good teams head starts, it will always be difficult.

"They are a young group and they have got to learn and learn quickly. It is a hard division and everywhere you go it is going to be tough.

"We can't give a team two-goal starts. After that we came into the game and Danny Graham had a chance at the start of the second half.

"But he missed from three or four yards, Albion went up the field and scored and the game changed. We were chasing the game after that and good teams can pick you off.

"The players are disappointed as they had been on a great run and playing well but it is something they will learn from.

"All I ask from them is to be competitive and then let their football come out."