Keane cuts a new swagger

Roy Keane is back. And with him, so too is the Manchester United swagger of old. Sir Alex Ferguson's men, expertly marshalled by their Irish talisman, played with a fluency and sharpness in front of goal not witnessed for many a month. Arsenal and the other Premiership contenders have been warned.

West Bromwich Albion had given Arsène Wenger's table-toppers a real fright two weeks ago, but yesterday's visitors were never unduly troubled. And, with most of his first-teamers back to full fitness, Ferguson will be looking to build on this, only their third away win of the season.

Ryan Giggs was absent from the United team squad, having been rested by his manager. Ferguson denied that his decision had anything to do with the boos directed at his left-winger last weekend, but it has become increasingly obvious that the Welshman's form is suffering. Judging from past Manchester United experience, a winter break could be just the tonic he needs. Peter Schmeichel was the last high-profile player to be granted a mid-season holiday, and the great Dane returned so refreshed that he helped United to their 1999 Treble.

Not that Giggs was missed much. A clever free-kick by Ruud van Nistelrooy after six minutes caught the Albion defence napping and allowed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to nip and run at goal. Russell Hoult, whose name continues to be linked with a call-up to the England squad for the friendly against Australia next month, kept his nerve as well as his eye on the ball to get a vital block and deny the Norwegian.

It was a quite different story at the other end, as Fabien Barthez had a first touch he would rather forget. Jason Koumas deserves his share of the credit for the wonderful first-time control on the half-way line from an errant Rio Ferdinand pass, the purposeful run at goal, and the stinging right-foot shot, but Barthez will be disappointed that he could do no more than get a weak hand to the ball.

Gary Megson, the West Brom manager, knew how important it was for his side to keep their lead for as long as possible. He immediately rushed out to his technical area to warn his players that they needed to remain focused, but it was to no avail. The Albion defender Neil Clement dwelt on the ball in central midfield, allowing David Beckham to steal possession before whipping in a dangerous cross from the right. Van Nistelrooy was on hand beyond the last defender to apply the easiest of finishes for United's equaliser.

And Ferguson's team were not finished there. Having soaked up a good deal of pressure, Keane, who was back after a short lay-off through injury, played a clever one-two with Van Nistelrooy on the edge of the West Brom area before executing the perfect cut-back for Paul Scholes from the by-line. The England midfielder had only to swing his right boot at the ball to leave Hoult stranded and the home team shell-shocked.

United continued to dominate until half-time and might have extended their lead two minutes after the break when Beckham varied his delivery from the right wing and very nearly offered Scholes his second goal of the afternoon. The England captain decided to send in a low rasping free-kick, when everybody was expecting a traditional curler. Scholes reacted quickest and his right-foot half-volley from just inside the penalty box missed the target by inches. Albion had been warned and, nine minutes later, were made to pay. Gary Neville crossed in from the right touch-line, Scholes flicked on, and Solskjaer was given the freedom of The Hawthorns to control the ball on his chest before firing into the top corner.

The game, as a contest at least, was over, but there was still plenty of neat football to enjoy from the visitors. With an hour gone, Beckham picked out Solskjaer's run from deep with an exquisite cross-field ball, but the Norwegian could do no more than find the side-netting.

West Brom, to their credit, refused to give up, but the gulf in class was simply too great. It tells you everything about the difficulty of the task awaiting Megson's men between now and the end of the season that, of the home team players, only the excellent Koumas looked at ease in the match. Koumas played with verve and composure throughout, and at least his future in the Premiership is surely assured.

Survival will be hard to achieve if Albion continue to struggle in front of goal. Daniele Dichio, who had scored six in his last four appearances, never looked likely to add to his tally yesterday. Even when presented with a chance 15 minutes from the end, the former Queen's Park Rangers striker could not convert Clement's deep cross. In the image of his team, he was not quite good enough.