August 2008 Archives

ALBION suffered a humbling defeat at the hands of Hartlepool United in the Carling Cup last night.

What had meant to be a confidence-boosting exercise ahead of Saturday's Premier League reunion with Gary Megson at the Reebok Stadium turned into a nightmare at Victoria Park as Albion were ambushed by a hard-working League One outfit.

Robert Koren scored a superb equaliser in the 87th minute to take the game into extra-time.

But then the Baggies fell apart, conceding two goals in the five minutes approaching the break.

BORJA Valero could make his Albion debut in tonight's Carling Cup clash at Hartlepool - as Albion continue their search for new firepower.

Tony Mowbray wants to play his new £4.7million midfielder Borja in the game at Victoria Park, but will not know until later today whether that is possible.

Albion applied for international clearance before the weekend, following Borja's arrival last week, but the Bank Holiday weekend has delayed matters.

The Baggies have also not given up of signing Borja's ex-Real Mallorca team-mate Oscar Trejo.

GIANNI Zuiverloon did not take long to get up to speed with the demands of the Premier League.

He was named man-of-the-match after his home debut for West Bromwich Albion, an achievement made even more impressive considering he wasn't even fully operating on British time.

The young Dutch full-back only returned from the Olympic Games on Monday and a week of sleepless nights and jet-lag had blighted the Dutchman's preparation for the game against Everton.

Although Albion supporters loved what they saw, Zuiverloon promised there was far to come.

WEST Bromwich Albion manager Tony Mowbray is set to turn to some of the men on the fringe of his first-team squad for the trip to face Hartlepool in the Carling Cup second round tomorrow night.

Luke Moore, fit again following a minor thigh problem, is set to feature with Baggies boss Mowbray expected to favour players who were not involved in international action last week. However, he is adamant it will still be a Premier League-strength line-up.

Marek Cech, Carl Hoefkens, Roman Bednar, Craig Beattie, Sherjill MacDonald, Pedro Pele and Dean Kiely could all come into contention to start at Victoria Park.

EVERTON recovered from a dismal opening 45 minutes to register their first win of the campaign against West Bromwich Albion thanks to second-half goals from Leon Osman and Ayegbeni Yakubu.

David Moyes' side, shorn of several key players through injury, looked to be suffering a hangover from their last-gasp defeat by Blackburn against an Albion side who played some fluent football.

But they lacked the killer touch - bar a late penalty from Roman Bednar - and were given a taste of the harsh realities of Barclays Premier League football as the Toffees took advantage of the few chances that came their way.