What manager Gary Megson described as "the most important three months in the
history of West Bromwich Albion" began today with the Baggies securing a
nailbiting 2-1 victory over Cardiff.
Neil Clement's 55th-minute header had put promotion-chasing Albion in front at
The Hawthorns this afternoon but substitute Alan Lee's glancing header hauled
the Bluebirds level with 10 minutes remaining.
The hosts were destined to enjoy the last laugh though as Lee Hughes stabbed
home the winner from point-blank range with less than five minutes to go.
With previously ever-present Baggies goalkeeper Russell Hoult having been
ruled out by a back problem which could keep him sidelined from anything between
a fortnight and nine months, Albion boss Gary Megson had given second-choice Joe
Murphy his first start of the season.
And the Republic of Ireland international's mettle was tested as early as the
first minute after Paul Parry had made tracks along the left and then crossed
for Robert Earnshaw.
The Cardiff striker's control let him down at first but Earnshaw recovered to
swivel and produce a scuffed shot from eight yards out which Murphy saved with
an outstretched right hand.
Earnshaw's next effort was more comfortably dealt with by Murphy in the eighth
minute before Welsh international Jason Koumas fired a shot across the
Bluebirds' bows although his 25-yard effort was collected by visiting keeper
Martyn Margetson.
Cardiff - sporting a fluorescent orange strip which confusingly matched the
colour of stewards' jackets in the stands behind - were on the march again
shortly after the quarter hour but Murphy was off his line quickly to deny
Richard Langley.
Paul Robinson failed to beat Margetson with a header from Lee Hughes'
right-wing cross although Neil Clement's tilt from range had momentarily
threatened to catch the Cardiff keeper unawares.
But with the initiative having now shifted to the hosts, Mark Kinsella forced
Margetson to touch around the woodwork with the Bluebirds keeper left rooted to
his line when a Koumas free-kick drifted only a shade wide moments short of the
interval.
Shortly into the second half Margetson survived a scare when miscuing a
backpass from Danny Gabbidon, the ball screwing wide of the woodwork and out for
an ultimately fruitless corner.
Margetson came to Gabbidon's rescue after the City defender had been robbed by
Horsfield but the Bluebirds' resistance was to be broken just seconds later when
Koumas swung over a cross from the left channel and Clement's emphatic header
from less than six yards out left Margetson with no chance.
Cardiff registered a deserved equaliser via the forehead of substitute Lee who
had risen highest in a crowded penalty box to direct Graham Kavanagh's cross
past the helpless Murphy.
There was time for a final twist however as Baggies substitute Lloyd Dyer
crossed from the left and skipper Thomas Gaardsoe's powerful header beat
Margetson before Hughes applied a final touch on the line.
Teams
West Brom: Murphy, Haas, Gaardsoe, Moore, Robinson,
Koumas (Gregan 73), Kinsella (Dyer 84), Johnson, Clement,
Horsfield, Hughes (James Chambers 90).
Subs Not Used: Pressman, Skoubo.
Booked: Johnson.
Goals: Clement 55, Hughes 85.
Cardiff: Margetson, Weston, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Barker,
Langley (Lee 75), Boland (Robinson 79), Kavanagh, Parry,
Earnshaw, Thorne (Campbell 87).
Subs Not Used: Prior, Alexander.
Booked: Kavanagh.
Goals: Lee 80.
Att: 25,196
Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).
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