ROBERTO Di Matteo praised super-sub Robert Koren for conjuring up the 'great' goal he insisted Albion needed to beat a stubborn Sheffield Wednesday side.
The Slovenia international came off the bench to replace Jerome Thomas at half-time and his fantastic 25-yard strike 11 minutes from the end earned the Baggies a fourth successive home league win.
Di Matteo was relieved to see the midfielder bag his first league goal in seven months after a string of fine second-half saves from Owls goalkeeper Lee Grant looked like denying the hosts.
And the Hawthorns victory saw Albion leapfrog Nottingham Forest into second place and move two points clear of them with 11 games remaining.
"We created a number of chances in the second half," said the Baggies boss.
"Their goalkeeper made some great saves and the goal that Koren scored was a great goal.
"We probably needed a goal like that to win the game.
"He curled it around with his left foot and I'm very pleased for him."
Di Matteo added: "I thought the team I picked to start the game was the best one to win it.
"We made the change at half-time and it worked out.
"I don't think the so-called moments of tension between me and Roko are as big as they've been made out to be.
"We have talked a number of times, like I do with many of our players.
"I understand that every player wants to play.
"He's a good player and an intelligent person as well.
"We now have 21 players available and it's about a squad from one game to the other.
"To get over the finishing line, we will need everybody.
"We have to put our individual agendas to one side and believe what we do is best for West Bromwich Albion.
"We try to communicate that to the players and if we are successful it will be a benefit to everybody."
Di Matteo admitted his men suffered from nerves in the first half but he was delighted his players remained patient to grind out a vital result.
"I think we were a little bit edgy in the first half," he added.
"In the second half, we stayed patient and passed the ball better.
"The ball was bobbling up on the pitch a few times.
"But looking around the country, I don't think any pitch is the best at the moment because of the weather we've had for the last three or four months."
The Baggies will now be looking to cement their place in the top two when they entertain Blackpool on Saturday (ko 3pm) - but the Albion chief is taking nothing for granted in a close division.
"The table looks very tight," he said.
"As you can see, every weekend there are crazy results.
"Sheffield Wednesday are third from bottom and there is no easy game.
"It is very hard to win a game, especially at this time of year when everyone is fighting for something."
PIC: GOAL GLEE...Koren celebrates his late winner against Wednesday
