Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.This result for West Bromwich Albion's caretaker manager, Nigel Pearson, would no doubt have impressed his employers. Pity then that he has no interest in the job vacated by Bryan Robson last month. Or has he? Pearson denied he had applied for the job but had little else to say about his intentions after his 10 men defeated a poor Leeds United side.
His opposite number, Leeds' John Carver, meanwhile, has shouted from the rooftops about his suitability for the manager's post at Elland Road. This defeat, at the hands of a side that played with a man short for two-thirds of the game will be a blemish on his record. The former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri - who last week expressed his own interest in rejoining the former Stamford Bridge and now Leeds chairman, Ken Bates - would have sat up and taken notice.
A rather lacklustre opening third of the game ended when the Albion defender Paul McShane was dismissed after fouling Leeds' Geoff Horsfield, the former home favourite, in the penalty area on 32 minutes. David Healy put his penalty wide.
From then, it was Albion in the ascendancy. Martin Albrechtsen headed home Jason Koumas' corner on 41 minutes to give the home side the lead. The introduction of Diomansy Kamara after the interval proved to be a masterstroke for Pearson. Albion added to their lead on 65 minutes when Kevin Phillips crossed for the Senegal striker to score from close range.
Kamara then ran through the Leeds defence on 78 minutes before playing in Phillips, who tapped home. The points looked assured for Albion, but their opponents had other ideas. Horsfield pulled one goal back and Steve Stone another after Horsfield's shot hit the post, setting up a nervy ending but Kamara secured the points for Albion.
Goals: Albrechtsen (40) 1-0, Kamara (65) 2-0, Phillips 79 (3-0), Horsfield (82) 3-1, Stone (88) 3-2, Kamara (90) 4-2.
West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2): Zuberbühler; Albrechtsen, Perry, McShane, Robinson; Gera (Chaplow, 80), Carter, Koumas, Greening; Hartson (Kamara, 45), Phillips. Substitutes not used: Hoult (gk), Nicholson, Hodgkiss.
Leeds United: Warner; Kelly (Stone, 45), Butler, Kilgallon, Crainey; Douglas, Nicholls (Westlake, 54), Derry, Lewis (Moore, 70); Horsfield, Healy. Substitutes not used: Sullivan (gk), Foxe.
Referee: R Styles (Hampshire).
Booked: WBA Phillips, Kamara, Carter; Leeds Derry, Douglas. Sent off: WBA McShane.
Man of the match: Kamara.
Attendance: 21,435.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments