Source: Telegraph
West Bromwich Albion 1 Nottingham Forest 3: match report
It is always dangerous to make assumptions based on one match viewed in microcosm, but on this evidence it will be Nottingham Forest who will automatically join the top tier next season, not West Bromwich Albion [LNB]Billy Davies' side, undefeated away this season, extended their unbeaten run of games to 18 thanks to the marksmanship of Dexter Blackstock, Radoslaw Majewski and Chris Cohen, taking them to second place in the league in the process. [LNB] Related ArticlesCarson signs up to Di Matteo's philosophyWeather hits sport: full list of postponementsChampionship fixturesTelegraph player raterChampionship tableSport on televisionWest Brom have tried to summon something of a mean streak this season, which is probably why the intimidating sound of Carmina Burana floods the Hawthorns before their game, but Forest were harder on the field, with David Kelly taking the contest off of it, the Forest assistant manager stalking his way around the snow-fringed technical area in shorts. [LNB]The diminutive Davies, more suitably dressed in a grey jumper, white shirt and red tie, rather resembles a naughty schoolboy, but he has clearly tutored his players like a school master does his students. [LNB]Each of them knew their precise roles, building thoughtfully when in possession and closing their opponents down immediately when without, with the effect that West Brom looked hurried and harried. [LNB]Forest, by contrast, were composed as they sought to build from the back. Lee Camp likes to distribute from hand rather than with boot, using his full-backs to get things going, especially Nicky Shorey on the left. [LNB]It was on this flank that Dexter Blackstock found himself in the 18th minute, grappling with Jonas Olsson and winning a corner. The cross came in from Majewski, and Blackstock slid in, Gabriel Tamas attached to him in the manner in which a baby chimpanzee clings to its mother. As he fell under the weight, Blackstock calmly swept the ball left footed into the net. [LNB]Roberto Di Matteo, until now leaning forward in his seat in the stands, was by this stage standing, mirroring his side's anxiety as Scott Carson, making his first league appearance since he used his head on Michael Chopra of Cardiff in December, cleared straight to Majewski before Tamas having the sort of debut players have nightmares about catching Paul Anderson's jaw with his open palm. [LNB]The West Brom players scurried down the tunnel at the break, Carson calling a huddle on their return. Quite why he did so, considering they had just had 15 minutes privacy in which to psych themselves up, is a mystery, and it didn't work, for only seven minutes had elapsed when Guy Moussi found Chris Gunter who crossed for Majewski to volley in off the crossbar with his first touch exquisite timing. [LNB]Three minutes later Moussi, revelling in the role of midfield facilitator after a recent injury, supplied Cohen, who let loose before Olsson could intervene. The ball curved round Carson, and squeezed its way into the net of the post. Di Matteo, now in the technical area, looked on in despair. [LNB]Albion began a fightback of sorts, Roman Bednar getting them off the mark. But they had left it too late, and were punished for their tardiness by being nudged down to third place in the league. And on Forest's form, one cannot see how Albion will climb back up. [LNB]Match details [LNB]West Brom (4-4-2): Carson; Zuiverloon, Olsson, Tamas, Mattock (Koren, 65); Brunt, Dorrans, Jara, Thomas; Cox (Miller, 77), Moore (Bednar, 46). Subs: Kiely, Cech, Mulumbu, Martis. Booked: TamasGoal: Bednar, 65Nottingham Forest (4-4-1-1): Camp; Gunter, Morgan, Wilson, Shorey; Cohen, McKenna, Moussi (Tyson, 60), Anderson; Majewski (Perch, 78); Blackstock (Adebola, 75). Subs: Smith, Chambers, McGugan, McGoldrick. Booked: McKenna, Blackstock Goals: Blackstock, 18; Majewski, 53; Cohen, 56. Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire). [LNB]
