Without their fate in their own hands, Albion delivered an impressive three goal thriller, but had to make do with seeing Bristol City run out 2-1 winners over Hull, and Watford pick up a 2-2 draw away at Watford.  City now move 2 points clear of Stoke at the top of the table although Stoke play QPR at Loftus Road tomorrow.  Albion move 2 points closer to Watford in third with a game in hand, although Charlton keep up the pressure on the Baggies with a 2-0 win at Sheffield United.  The Addicks move above Plymouth to take 5^th spot.  Local rivals Wolves remain in 10^th spot, but moving level on points with 9^th placed Hull and just 2 points off the play offs. 

It took 10 minutes for any real goal chances to materialise in this fixture, but when they did the flood gates opened.  Ishmael Miller showed exactly why he warranted a first team place when he latched onto Koren’s lay off outwitted both Timar and Connolly to pace down on the Plymouth goal.  But his over heavy touch allowed Pilgrims keeper McCormick to make an easy save. 

After only eighteen minutes the Baggies were forced into an early substitution when Filipe Teixeira was floored by Gary Sawyer.  Teixeria fell awkwardly and was stretchered off the field to be replaced by Zoltan Gera.  Just two minutes later the Baggies should have been 1 up when on fire Roman Bednar collected Hoefkens’ lay off to tee up Miller, who headed wide from 18 yards. 

Plymouth have an impressive defensive record, and it showed as the Baggies applied the pressure but failed to break through a resilient defence.  Argyle also demonstrated that they could be a threat in front of goal, winning three successive corners.  But Albion were equally up to the challenge defensively. 

Chances just looked as if they were about to become few and far between when Albion finally found a way through the Pilgrims defence.  Bednar, always on the look out for a breakthrough took full advantage of a poor back pass from Anderson’s to keeper McCormick.  Bednar, who could only find Plymouth player Abdou gave the away side every opportunity to rectify their previous mistake, but Abdou was the next to fluff a clearance, setting up Miller who pounded his chance straight at the Argyle keeper.  In a comedy of errors McCormick was unable to hold the ball, and Gera was there to pounce on the rebound and score into an empty net. 

Despite the goal coming in first half stoppage time, Argyle still had a chance to equalise before the half was out.  But Lilian Nalis could only find the side netting from Gary Teale’s cross. 

Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Plymouth Argyle 

Albion started the second half brightly, Miller trying his luck from 20 yards, only to see his shot deflect off Connolly and inches over the bar.  The following corner, taken by Brunt was headed back across the goal by Martin Albrechtsen into the path of Barnett, who headed his chance just wide. 

At the other end Albrechtsen was on call to make a vital block to prevent Halmosi’s shot from putting keeper Dean Kiely under pressure.  Albion renewed their pressure on the Plymouth goal when Miller raced on to a throughball from Paul Robinson.  The powerhouse striker breezed passed Anderson, but got the ball tangled up in his feet as he attempted to round McCormick, allowing the Pilgrims keeper to somehow toe poke the ball to safety. 

Barely a minute later however Miller was proving his worth as he grabbed the Baggies second goal.  In the 59^th minute a super display of strength saw Miller hold off Anderson and with his back to goal he hooked the ball over his shoulder and past McCormick from the edge of the box. 

In the 63^rd minute Luke Moore made a second substitute appearance for Albion, the goal scorer Ishmael Miller making way.  And just four minutes later they had the game wrapped up as they scored a third.  A deep cross from Jonathan Greening was headed into the six yard box by Gera, allowing Bednar to press the ball home. 

It could have been four when Brunt found Gera with an inch perfect cross, but as Gera unleashed his shot Sawyer made a block at full stretch to divert the ball.  Barnett and Koren also came close for Albion in the closing stages of the game. 

Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 3-0 Plymouth Argyle  

Gera (45+1) 

Miller (59) 

Bednar (67) 

Attendance: 22,503

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