Lord of the dance Pards has Albion in step again
BAGGIES ROCK BRIGHTON TO END THEIR 20-GAME WINLESS STREAK
ALAN PARDEW would have been forgiven if he had repeated his infamous touchline jig.
That little dance routine he performed at the FA Cup final two years ago following Jason Puncheon’s goal has left him open to ridicule.
But if he had put on a giant pair of shoes, daubed his face in clown’s paint and donned a red wig – no-one at the Hawthorns would have batted an eyelid.
After nine games in charge – and 20 all told for West Brom stretching back to last August – they finally won a game in the top-flight.
It was the fourth-longest streak without a victory in Premier League history. And it set an unwanted club record in the Black Country.
When Martin Atkinson blew the final whistle, the Baggies’ chief settled for all four stands that were, for once, filled with happy punters.
Goals from Jonny Evans – on what might be his last appearance for the club ahead of a move to either Manchester City or Arsenal this week – and Craig Dawson from corners at the start of each half were enough to see off strangely offcolour Brighton.
Pardew said: “There have been some really good performances here – but to get the three points was important.
“The team played exceptionally-well considering the pressure we were under.
It was easy to say it was a ‘must-win game’ but it was an important game on our calendar.
“And our open play was as good as has been since I’ve been here – and that bodes well – although it was ironic we scored from two set-plays. But we are good in that area.
“But the highlight for me was the stadium. To have a stadium like that was very important. I’d like to thank them. I’m pleased we have sent them home happy.”
Pardew trained on the pitch with his players in the build-up – and paid particular attention to deadball situations.
It took just four minutes for the breakthrough. Matt Phillips’s corner was flicked on at the near post by Jay Rodriguez and Evans nodded home at the back post.
It set the tone. Brighton struggled to get a foothold after that early setback. They enjoyed their best period of the game beapplauding fore the interval. But once Craig Dawson charged onto Chris Brunt’s corner nine minutes after the re-start, the points never looked like heading anywhere else.
That was the 17th goal that the Seagulls have conceded from set-pieces this season. The highest in the division.
Brighton boss Chris Hughton said: “When you are coming to a club whose form has been indifferent the last thing you want to see is your team go behind early and the crowd involved.
“We’re conceding too many from setplays. And this in a week when we’ve done more work on set-plays. And we’ve conceded again.
“It put them on the ascendancy and us on the back foot.”
The only real clear chance Brighton enjoyed came when Anthony Knockaert blazed over after Glenn Murray had teed him up.
That would have set home pulses racing but the ball ended high in the stands and West Brom were not going to be denied.
And spare a thought for Evans on what is likely to be his last appearance at the Hawthorns.
Prior to yesterday, he last tasted victory eight months ago – Arsenal in a 3-1 win. It has been a long time coming for him. And for Pardew.