By Jemma Tappenden
September 2 2007

After an encouraging 2 goal victory against Peterborough in the League Cup midweek, Albion searched to extend their winning form into the Championship, where mixed fortunes had seen them pick up only three points from their first three games. Mowbray named just one change to the side that lost at Bramall Lane in their last League outing, with Zoltan Gera coming in for Pele.

New Boys Batosz Slursaski and Chris Brunt, who was available for selection after serving a three match ban having been sent off for Sheffield Wednesday pre-season, took places on the Baggies bench.  Ex-Albion midfielder Andy Johnson returned to the Hawthorns with the Tykes to a pleasant reception from Albion fans. 

Albion started much the brighter of the two sides, immediately forcing the Tykes onto the back foot.  Almost immediately Kevin Phillips was threatening the Barnsley goal, dragging a hard 20 yard shot just short of the post.  Moments later Teixeira blazed a stunning Carl Hoefkens cross into the top of the Smethwick End.  The little pressure applied by Barnsley was dealt with well by the Baggies.  In the 11^th minute a slip from Leon Barnett allowed Kayode Odejayi onto a Brian Howard through ball, but on the ball Martin Albrechsten raced back to block the shot which fell easily for Dean Kiely. 

Barnsley, all too aware of how they were punished on their last visit to the Hawthorns in May this year, piled red shirts behind the ball.  But their efforts to keep the Baggies at bay fell short in the 30^th minute when Teixeira cut in from the left, leaving Barnsley Centre-half Dennis Souza shell shocked to pile in a 20 yard drive past Tykes keeper Muller.  It was a well deserved lead.  The goal followed a prolonged period of pressure from the Baggies. 

A brief moment of unease arose when Gera in an otherwise flawless performance, allowed Tykes midfielder Anderson De Silva to force a 20 yard shot on Dean Kiely.  Fortunately for the Baggies the midfielder watched his shot creep just wide of the right post.  It was a missed chance for Barnsley, as 8 minutes after their first; the Baggies grabbed their second goal.  This time it was Scottish International Craig Beattie who forced pressure onto the Tykes goal.  Beattie was cool and composed, and placed the ball perfectly past Muller to double the Baggies lead. Barnsley were allowed to enjoy a brief spell of pressure towards the end of the first half, striker Kayode Odejayi latched onto a De Silva free-kick forcing a goal line save from the Baggies defence.  But the half over all belonged to Albion, searching even in the dying seconds for their third goal.  Phillips and Gera both coming close. 

Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 2 – 0 Barnsley 

An immediate assault on the Barnsley goal in the second half showed that the Baggies were not going to sit on their 2 goal advantage.  Zoltan Gera latched onto a piercing Jonathan Greening cross, but his header fell straight into the hands of keeper Muller.  Beattie had a chance for his second moments later, but saw his effort helplessly fumbled over the bar by a confused and hounded Barnsley defence. In the 64th minute Chris Brunt was handed his West Brom debut, coming on alongside Ishmael Miller to replace Morrison and Beattie. 

A stunning Dean Kiely save kept Albion’s clean sheet in the 7^th minute.  Robinson felt he had been fouled, but the ref waved play on allowing midfielder De Silva through on goal.  However it was clearly not Barnsley’s day as Kiely finger tipped the ball over the bar. 

Brunt, keen to impress released a less than threatening 30 yard shot on the Barnsley goal. With Phillips also missing chances.  But the Baggies could not find that third goal.  Not that it mattered too much overall.  Barnsley could not press those Baggies hard enough and two goals were more than enough to secure three more points to the League total. 

Full Time – West Bromwich Albion 2 – 0 Barnsley 

Teixeira 30 

Beattie 38 

Attendance: 18,310