Source: Team_Talk
Di Matteo blast inspires Baggies
Second-placed Albion were off key in the opening period of the Boxing Day clash at The Hawthorns in the Championship, but were a different proposition in the second half.[LNB]Luke Moore, who had scored twice against Peterborough in Albion's 3-2 win at London Road in August, broke the deadlock with his fourth goal of the season in the 61st minute.[LNB]Peterborough's Ryan Bennett then headed into his own net eight minutes later as Albion earned their first win in four games.[LNB]Albion are now two points clear of third-placed Nottingham Forest and have cut the advantage of leaders Newcastle United to eight.[LNB]Di Matteo said: "I told the players to stay patient because it is important to stick to your game plan.[LNB]"But I also had to raise my voice a little bit because I disagreed with how we played in the first half. When it is needed I can do that.[LNB]"We were slow in the first half and there wasn't much movement. It just didn't happen for us in the first half. We didn't penetrate the Peterborough defence enough.[LNB]"We did increase the tempo in the second half and managed to score two goals and I think we deserved to win.[LNB]"When you win it is always a good day and, as you can see from the other results, it is difficult to win a game in this league.[LNB]"If we can now beat Scunthorpe on Monday we can end the first half of the season with a nice cushion of points."[LNB]Peterborough manager Mark Cooper had seen the team win their first game under his control in their previous match against Watford.[LNB]They held out for an hour against Albion but are now four points from safety and Cooper said: "We just caved in which is the disappointing thing for me.[LNB]"We were pretty comfortable for an hour. But it is becoming a bit of a trait now that when we come under a bit of pressure we concede, not just one, but two very quickly.[LNB]"It is something that needs addressing. We gifted West Brom two goals.[LNB]"For the first goal we let Graham Dorrans skip through three challenges which isn't good enough.You have to get tight to people and deal with it better than that.[LNB]"We have to stand up, roll our sleeves up and see it through until the pressure comes to an end."[LNB]Cooper has hinted he will move into the transfer market to try to solve his side's difficulties and he added: "I am sure that if we find the right players there will be money to spend.[LNB]"We need a right-back and we probably need another forward and a midfield player."[LNB]Albion made the decisive breakthrough when Dorrans surged forward from midfield to set up Moore who drilled a low drive past Joe Lewis from eight yards.[LNB]Bennett then sealed Albion's success by heading the ball into his own net under pressure from Dorrans following a shot by Moore.[LNB][LNB]
