Pulis backs Albion stars despite shock exit

West Brom and West Brom were the big casualties in the second round of the EFL Cup last night.

Tony Pulis’s Baggies, behind to defender Zander Diamond’s early goal, led with efforts from James McClean and Gareth McAuley until Alex Revell forced extra time for Northampton.

The League One Cobblers then progressed 4-3 on penalties as Saido Berahino missed and James Morrison’s effort was saved, allowing Kenji Gorre to convert the winner.

Pulis, who wants to sign Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez on loan, said: “I wish Northampton all the best, they worked really hard and kept at it. We had enough chances to score double figures.

“They’ve had a couple of opportunities and the two goals are poor goals from our point of view.

“If we have come here and didn’t open them up and didn’t play well then you can slaughter us, but we did that. We’ve not hit the back of the net and that’s what you have to do.

“I understand supporters full stop, if you’re not winning you’re not going to be happy – whether it’s me or another manager.”

Northampton hero Gorre said of his penalty: “When it left my boot I knew it was in and I started running before it hit the net, it was crazy.”

Watford lost 2-1 at Gillingham after extra time.

The Hornets were eight minutes from progressing, having led through Odion Ighalo, but Mark Byrne levelled and Bradley Dack, who missed a penalty in the second half, grabbed the Gills’ winner in the 102nd minute.

Watford manager Walter Mazzari slammed the complacent attitude of his players.

He said: “I am massively disappointed. We created about seven or eight chances and as soon as we got ahead we completely changed the way we played.

“I need to change this mentality of the players when we go ahead. I’m very angry because we can’t see the danger of teams when we go ahead.”

Derby needed a marathon penalty shoot-out to KO Carlisle, the Rams edging it 14-13 after a 1-1 draw.