Koumas class cuts down floundering Forest
Nottingham Forest 0 West Bromwich Albion 3
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Your support makes all the difference.Things could hardly get any better right now for West Brom. Not only do they stand on top of the First Division but their hated neighbours and rivals Wolves remain rooted to the bottom of the Premiership. To round things off nicely for Gary Megson's men the Baggies proved in this Midlands derby that west is best.
Thanks to a stellar performance from Jason Koumas, who scored two outstanding goals and set up the other, West Brom strolled to victory to stay ahead of Norwich.
Koumas' performance operating from left midfield was described by his manager Megson as "irresistible''. Megson added: "Going forward I don't think there is anyone better than him on his day in this division or the Premiership.'' Koumas, 24, was part of the Wales team who were beaten by Russia in their Euro 2004 play-off but his time on the pitch at the City Ground showed that he has bounced back.
After weathering an early flurry of attacks from the home side, who are languishing in mid-table, West Brom began to grow in confidence and show why they top the table.
Koumas gave notice of his intentions as early as the 15th minute when he dropped in a immaculately-placed cross with his right foot, the one that does the damage, but Rob Hulse was unable to find the target with a header from eight yards. Forest, who now have no wins in their last six games, were reduced to trying their luck from long range, but it was Koumas who showed how it was done from outside the penalty area.
Seven minutes before half time he received the ball inside the centre circle and, unhindered by any Forest defenders, delicately placed a curling shot inside Darren Ward's top left-hand corner to break the deadlock.
That would have made most Baggies fans happy but their delight was doubled six minutes later, with Koumas again involved. From a free kick out on the right wing, Koumas floated the ball to the far post where the unfortunate Forest right-back Matthieu Louis-Jean knocked it past his own goalkeeper and into the net.
Somewhat surprisingly, Forest manager Paul Hart did not introduce his new signing Marlon King from the off, waiting to give his £1m man a run-out when the match was all but over. In the latter stages West Brom allowed Forest plenty of the ball but even their play-maker Andy Reid was unable to conjure up any magic.
It was left to Koumas to have the final word on the pitch when he beat a ragged Forest defence and curled the ball home and it was left to Megson to have the last word as he said: "Those were his best 90 minutes for West Brom.''
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