By Stuart Kidson
February 2 2003

The Baggies made their last ever visit to Maine Road this weekend and walked out with heads held high and three vital points tucked away in the bag. Darren Moore and Neil Clement goals secured a precious away win. Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion
Saturday 2nd February 2003

The Baggies made their last ever visit to Maine Road this weekend and walked
out with heads held high and three vital points tucked away in the bag.
Darren Moore and Neil Clement goals secured a precious away win for the
Baggies against a Man City side that had new boy Robbie Fowler in the
starting line up. His first Premiership start since last April.

A changed Albion side from mid-week saw Danny Dichio sitting on the bench
with Lee Hughes getting the nod to start and the return of Jordao to the
first team squad for the first time this season. With Andy Johnson missing
through suspension Ronnie Wallwork moved into midfield alongside Derek
McInnes and Jason Koumas.

The Albion attacked the game from the start and could have taken a ninth
minute lead, when Jason Koumas whipped in a corner from the right. Neil
Clement headed the ball powerfully downwards which City keeper Carlo Nash
managed to keep out with his outstretched foot. City responded two minutes
later when mis-kicked a low cross. Marc Vivian Foe was first to react and
was lining up his shot when Phil Gilchrist slid in and cleared for the
Baggies.

Another Baggies corner in the eighteenth minute was delivered by Jason
Koumas again, and again it was Neil Clement who rose highest. His downward
header beat Nash and nestled in the back of the City net. However, this
goal was to provide the spark needed to shake City from their complacent
attitude and Horlock unleashed a 20-yard drive at the Baggies goal. His
shot was deflected out for a corner.

Horlock took the corner for City and his kick swung into the middle of the
Baggies area. Unfortunately for Phil Gilchrist, under pressure from Foe,
the ball beat Russell Hoult and settled in the back of the net. Albion
looked like they were again going to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Man City allowed the Baggies time and space and both were used to great
effect by both Jason Koumas and former Man Utd player and lifelong fan,
Ronnie Wallwork. Jason Roberts and Derek McInnes worked tirelessly and
engineered an opening for Koumas, but his 20-yard chip went wide of the
mark.

City thought they had nosed in front in the 35th minute after Horlock again
tried his luck from long range. His shot was deflected into the path of
new-boy Fowler, his quick shot on goal was saved by Russell Hoult but the
rebound only reached Nicolas Anelka who slotted the ball into the net.
Luck, it seems, was on Albion's side for once as the assistant referee had
judged both Fowler and Anelka to have been in offside positions when the
shot was struck and the goal was ruled out. Just before the break Houlty
again proved why he should be the next England keeper when he kept out
Anelka's shot from a range of 4-yards.

City manager Kevin Keegan, made changes at half-time and went for a more
attacking line-up with Richard Dunne making way for Shaun Wright-Phillips.
However it was the Baggies who made the brighter start when a Neil Clement
long ball almost found Adam Chambers racing in for what should have been a
free header. Jensen rescued City by beating the Baggies youngster to the
ball.

Clemmo was again in the thick of the action at the other end of the park
when he blocked a fierce shot from Wright-Phillips as City looked for a way
into the lead. They were awarded a free-kick when Jensen was bought down by
Adam Chambers on the edge of the area. The resulting free-kick was swiftly
dealt with by a now confident Baggies defence.

Jason Koumas was revelling in the space and time afforded him by City and he
set off for the City goal in the 52nd minute, beating Foe and Sommeil, but a
weak shot was comfortably dealt with by Carlo Nash.

Robbie Fowler almost got his name on the score sheet after his cross from
the left took wild deflection off Ronnie Wallwork and looked to be heading
towards goal. Fortunately for Wallwork and Albion the ball landed wide of
the goalmouth. If that had gone in Wallwork would have suffered at the
hands of the City fans due to his history with local rivals United.

Ali Bernabia sent a terrific through ball between defenders and Anelka
turned Gilly inside out, but his shot was unable to find a way past
England's Number One and again the Baggies held on. Gary Megson decided
that an aerial presence required and bought on Danny Dichio for Lee Hughes.

Darren Moore, who has a knack for scoring in important games, put the
Baggies ahead in the 74th minute when he was first to a loose ball in the
area following a blocked Jason Roberts shot. His shot beat the diving Nash
and found its way into the City goal.

City piled on the pressure but the Baggies stood firm and gave as good as
they got. The only blight on the game came in the 80th minute when Jason
Roberts was shown a straight red card for violent conduct after a tussle and
apparent raised elbow with Sommeil. Referee Mr. Neale Barry had missed the
incident but his attention was drawn to it by his assistant. Following a
short discussion between the two officials Jason Roberts was ordered off the
field. He now faces a three match ban for the offence.

City again moved forward but their only real chance fell to Shaun Goater in
the 87th minute but his close range header went high of the target. The
Albion held onto record their first victory of 2003.

Dave Holloway, organiser of Baggies Travel, was asked his opinion of both
the game and the last fixture between the teams at Maine Road. He said "All
of the Albion players involved today should be the Man of the Match. We
were fantastic. As for the last game, well, lets hope the new stadium has
more leg room than here. We have all had to stand for the whole game
because there is no room to sit down"

Man-of-the-Match selected by Mr. Dave Holloway, Organiser of Baggies
Travel - Adam Chambers

Team: Russell Hoult, Phil Gilchrist, Darren Moore, Sean Gregan, Neil
Clement, Ronnie Wallwork, Derek McInnes, Jason Koumas ( 85 ), Adam Chambers,
Lee Hughes ( 65 ), Jason Roberts

Subs: Danny Dichio ( 65 ), Scott Dobie, Larus Sigurdsson ( 85 ), Jordao, Joe
Murphy