By Stuart Kidson
December 6 2003

'FERGUSON GETS HIS HAAS BERNT' The Albion stormed into the Quarter Finals of the Carling Cup by adding Manchester United to the list of Premiership scalps in this seasons cup run. Apologies again for the late posting but ongoing PC problems prevail. West Bromwich Albion (2) v Manchester United (0)
The Hawthorns, Carling Cup Fourth Round

A packed Hawthorns saw the Stars in Stripes power themselves into the Quarter Finals of this competition for the first time in 21 years against a Manchester United side that included a World Cup winner, an England regular and the newest teen sensation to play in the Premier League.

Sir Alex Ferguson, as expected, sent out a team of youngsters to face the Baggies with no less than four teenagers making their first team debuts for the Reds. But unlike the previous night when Arsenal's youth team sent the Dingles crashing out of the same competition 5 - 1, the Baggies stormed through.

First team regulars John O'Shea, Christian Ronaldo, Nicky Butt and Kleberson were amongst the Manchester United side and these famous faces gave Baggies boss Gary Megson some headaches as he looked to progress further in this competition. The Baggies were without Paul Robinson who was cup tied and this saw Neil Clement come off the bench.

The kick off was delayed until 8.15 pm thanks largely to a nasty accident on the motorway causing near gridlock and stranding hundreds of Manchester fans travelling south for the game. Despite the popular myth that the majority of Manchester United fans live in Surrey, Sussex, or any other Southern county, the fans that were packed into the Smethwick End were amongst the loudest at The Hawthorns this season.

United were forced back from the start as West brom went looking for another Premiership scalp to add to that of Newcastle United a few weeks previously. Neil Clement whipped in a cross from the left and debutant Danny Pugh almost headed past his own keeper. Roy Carroll, in the United goal. The linesman had flagged for an offside but it was a clear indication to the home support that the Mighty Reds were there for the taking.

West Brom looked the stronger of the two sides in the opening stages and after just 6 minutes they were leading thanks to a stunning volley from part time Armani model, Bernt Haas. A cross from Clement again was headed back towards the edge of the area by Rob Hulse but before the ball could bounce the Swiss right wing back pounced Di Canio style to guide the ball past the stranded Carroll. To say the place erupted would be an understatement.

The Baggies were in a similar situation during the home game in last seasons Premiership campaign, but this time there was no Ruud van Nistelrooy to go up the other end within a minute to equalise. Albion kept pressurising the United defence looking for a second goal to calm not only their own nerves, but those of 22,000 others who were dressed in blue and white around the stadium.

Clement had dominated the left flank and given defender Phil Bardsley a nightmare introduction to the top flight world of professional football, but to be fair to the young player he had been left high and dry by his own team mate, Christian Ronaldo, who did no defensive work at all.

The home side could have extended their lead in the 12th minute when Danny Dichio sent Hulse clear but the Albion's leading goal scorer could not control theball with his first touch and a combination of Carroll and Tierney cleared the danger for the visitors. Ronaldo got involved in the game minutes later when he set off at pace with the ball at his feet but the Portugese teenager somehow managed to tie his long legs in knots and fell which bought howls of derision from the East Stand Baggies.

Jason Koumas was making one of his now typical runs at the defence when Danny Pugh bought the Welsh international down in the box. Referee Mr. Jeff Winter showed no hesitation as he pointed to the penalty spot. Koumas stepped forward to take the kick and take his tally for the season to 8 goals, but the United keeper did well to guess right and prevent the goal.

United tried desperately to get involved with the game, but could not match the Albion for creativity or passion. Nicky Butt made several attempts to instill some fight into the game but James O'Connor and Andy Johnson were by now rulingthe roost across the middle of the park.

United had to wait until the 40th minute to record their first real shot on goal when Butt was the target for a Kieran Richardson cross on the edge of the area. The England midfielder steadied himself and fired a shot off but the effort was dealt with by Russell Hoult with ease. United again attacked minutes later when david Bellion charged towards the defence but his long range effort flew wide of the mark and again bought derision from the home crowd in the Brummie Road End.

An unmarked Butt could have drawn the sides level at the stroke of half time but his header from the 12 yard spot sailed straight into the waiting arms of Hoult and the Baggies went into the break in the lead. Halftime saw several stars from the past come out onto the pitch including Len Cantello, Asa Hartford and the legendary Cyrille Regis.

The second half began in pretty much the same vein as it had ended with the home side dictating matters on the pitch. Dichio was desperately unlucky when his header, which had beaten Carroll, hit the underside of the crossbar and bounce down to safety.

United came back with a vengance as their players went looking for an equaliser. Brazilian World Cup winner Kleberson hita rocket shot from all of 20 yards but Hoult did magnificently to push the ball around for a corner. Moments later the South American was at it again but a timely challenge from O'Connor robbed him in a last ditch tackle.

10 minutes into the game Megson decided to change things up front and sent Scott Dobie on to replace Hulse. After being on the pitch just 46 seconds Dobie wrote himself into Albion folklore with a stunning diving header that gave the home side a two goal lead. O'Connor and Clement combined in front of the Halfords Lane Stand with a neat one - two which saw the diminutive Irish midfielder take the ball down to the bye line. He passed back to Clement who sent over another cross for Dobie. The ball was behind Dobie, who had his back to goal, but somehow he managed to steer it past a stretched out Carroll into the far right corner of the goal. Again the Hawthorns rocked to its foundations as thousands of Baggies fans BOING BOINGED.

Dobie, charged with confidence, then tried a 25 yard chip which flew just over the United goal as Carroll back tracked desperately to his own goal line. The place was rocking, the team were rocking andd United had nothing with which to reply.

Albion continued to boss the midfield with Johnson and O'Connor not allowing reputations count for anything, but United were not going to sit back and allow the home side to breeze through to the quarter finals. Thomas gaardsoe had to come to the rescue after Hoult had parried Ronaldo's stinging drive and David Bellion rushed in to pick up the loose ball.

Hoult was again the Baggies saviour when he again pulled off a world class save to deny Kleberson after the Brazilian hit a 30 yard shot. Hoult managed to push the ball around the post with his fingertips and out for a corner. United were now looking for a way back into the game as the clock ticked down and from the corner Butt pulled off an acrobatic overhead kick which deflected off an Albion defender and go wide of the upright.

The Baggies did well to keep United at bay in the closing stages and progress to a quarter final tie against Arsenal at home.

Man of the Match was selected by Curtis McNally of Smethwick and he gave the award to - Thomas Gaardsoe

Teams

BAGGIES: Hoult, Gregan, Gaardsoe, Gilchrist, Haas, Koumas, O'Connor, Johnson, Clement, Hulse, Dichio

Subs: Murphy, A. Chambers, J. Chambers, Dobie, Sakiri

UNITED: Carroll, Bardsley, O'Shea, Tierney, Pugh, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Butt, Kleberson, Bellion, Richardson

Subs: Williams, Wood, Jones, Eagles, Nardiello