Baggies pile misery on poor Foxes

13 April 2012

West Bromwich Albion 1 Leicester 0

It was impossible not to feel a tinge of sympathy for West Bromwich Albion's Neil Clement on Saturday.

On the day he became an FA Cup hero by dispatching the 78th-minute penalty match-winner against Premiership team Leicester, the 22-year-old's steel nerve tended to be overlooked in the heated debate which ensued.

Leicester skipper Matt Elliott accused referee Clive Wilkes of 'mugging us' by awarding the spot-kick after Albion midfielder Andy Johnson had gone down in the area under his challenge.

The Scotland defender claimed he had made no contact but Johnson insisted he had. 'I'm no diver,' said the former Nottingham Forest midfielder. 'Matt was pulling away but he caught me with his trailing leg.'

Whatever the rights or wrongs of the incident, it left Clement with the onerous responsibility of capitalising on what was always likely to be the game's defining moment.

Despite the penalty malaise that hit Albion earlier this season - six failures in eight attempts which could easily have affected his confidence - Clement answered the call with aplomb and, at the same time, left his club chairman Paul Thompson feeling a little sheepish.

Thompson, a tough cookie in the bargaining stakes, declined to sanction Clement's demands during recent talks over a new contract. Strange, indeed, since he has subsequently put a ludicrous £10million valuation on the head of a player who has now contributed seven goals in his wing back role.

Clement, however, bears no grudges.

'They made me an offer, I turned it down and there have been no discussions since,' said the modest £150,000 capture from Chelsea.

'It doesn't bother me. I am enjoying myself at Albion. They gave me the chance of regular first- team football when I realised, a couple of years ago, that I had to get away from Chelsea. I am grateful for that.

'All I am concentrating on is doing my bit to help West Brom into the Premiership. There are a lot of ambitious players at this club and we all want to reach the higher level. Victories in the FA Cup are nice but the priority target for us is promotion.'

Albion boss Gary Megson has bought wisely and well to fashion a team who are difficult to score against, industrious and well organised. A little short on genuine class, maybe, but with the likes of Clement, someone of real potential.

Megson said: 'Neil has a lot going for him. He is quick, strong, good in the air and possesses a left foot you would die for but, if anything, he lacks a little confidence. Not that it showed in the way he shaped up for his penalty.'

Fate unquestionably conspired against Leicester manager Dave Bassett, who was faced with a long list of injuries.

He said: 'We had so many players out, yet grafted with so much determination that we deserved a replay chance.

'It looked for all the world like a 0-0 scoreline and back to Filbert Street until that penalty incident. It's a big decision for the referee and you just hope he gets its right. I'll be interested to see if he did.'

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Andrew Johnson

Referee

West Bromwich Albion

Baggies pile misery on poor Foxes

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