A STONE AFTER BORUC BLUNDER
his first six months. These days, though, it is the opposite.
Pulis’ Baggies have been in stunning form throughout the campaign.
Goals from defensive pair Craig Dawson and Gareth McAuley yesterday were sufficient for Albion to equal the club’s previous best Premier League home run of four straight wins, set five years ago.
And a further measure of how well things are going at present is that Albion, sitting eighth, have already reached the magical 40-point mark.
No wonder the boss is actually dreaming of a top-ten finish for the first time in his top-flight managerial career.
That is why Pulis could scarcely have been more positive in the build-up. However, that optimism took a knock inside five minutes when the visitors broke the deadlock. Mark Clattenburg, beginning his four-game farewell tour before jetting off to Saudi Arabia, pointed to the spot after Cherries winger Ryan Fraser was sent tumbling by Allan Nyom.
Pre-match, Pulis had claimed he would try to persuade the official to reconsider quitting England. Too good to lose was the gist.
Whether he felt the same after Josh King sent Ben Foster the wrong way from 12 yards is another matter.
Going behind certainly awoke the hosts and four minutes later the Baggies’ response was rewarded with an equaliser – through the unlikely figure of right-back Dawson.
Nacer Chadli provided the assist and the defender’s drive took a deflection on its way to the far corner of Artur Boruc’s goal.
If the Cherries keeper was helpless there, that was not the case in the 21st minute as his clanger gifted West Brom the lead. He flapped at Chris Brunt’s corner to allow a tap-in for McAuley on his 500th career appearance.
Clattenburg’s busy day refused to ease after the break.
He rejected Bournemouth and West Brom claims for penalties and, despite the heated protests, he seemed to get both right.
Then in the 51st minute he again had Baggies fans in uproar.
Dawson’s glancing header was destined for the bottom corner but Chadli decided to make sure. What a mistake that was because the Albion playmaker was offside and the effort was correctly chalked off.
That led to a torrid period of late pressure for the hosts to withstand – which they managed thanks to three superb Foster saves.
The pick came in the 86th minute when he tipped over a blistering drive from French sub Lys Mousset.