NO MOORE F Baggies stand tall after dive ban, and boss say

LADY LUCK has smiled on Darren Moore this season – but there was no disputing the merit of this derby victory.

The rookie West Brom boss has profited from goals following disputed handball decisions and blatant dives.

Indeed, it was only this week that Dwight Gayle cheated to win a penalty against Nottingham Forest.

But there was no hint of skulduggery or gamesmanship as Dean Smith’s dismal new year with Aston Villa brought the same old story. Two goals late in the first half – the first a looping header from Hal Robson-kanu, the second a lovely 25-yard drive by a revitalised Jay Rodriguez – lifted Albion spirits and left an exasperated home coach in desperate need of answers.

The Baggies retreated after the interval but Villa – comeback specialists on their own patch against Hull City and Sheffield United in recent weeks – were unable to gain any momentum.

This is the first time since 2002 – when Moore himself was part of West Brom’s rearguard – that the club has recorded four successive shut-outs away from home.

And it was that, more than anything, which pleased the visitors’ chief. He said: “To get any three points on the road in this division is rewarding. Especially at Villa Park.

“It was a joint effort by everyone. The hard work, commitment and desire shown by the players was excellent.

“Our work off-the-ball had to be good because Villa ask questions. They came back against Hull and Sheffield United.

“Their resilience is good. They have a never-say-die spirit so it had to be a team effort by us.

“We had to be equally strong and resilient.”

Moore (right) played down the effect of Gayle’s absence after he was nailed by the Football Association for deceiving a match official and suspended for this one.

He added: “We passed the audition at the start of the season when I had Dwight on the bench.

“Losing him today wasn’t anything we haven’t coped with so far. We have worked and won without him – although he is important for us. But we won’t cry over spilt milk.

“We will accept it and move on.”

Villa are nosediving at a rate of knots. They have recorded only one victory in front of their own fans since the 4-2 trium Birmingham C last year.

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