And young striker delighted to get on the scoresheet again with crucial leveller
ROMELU Lukaku insisted even his penalty miss could not take the gloss off Albion's impressive 2-1 win over nearest rivals Swansea.
The on-loan striker’s 13th Barclays Premier League goal of the season levelled the scores five minutes before the interval at The Hawthorns.
And, although he was later denied a second from the spot by Swans stopper Michele Vorm, he was proud to be part of a team performance that earned the Baggies their ninth home victory of the campaign and lifted them up to seventh in the table.
And, although he was later denied a second from the spot by Swans stopper Michele Vorm, he was proud to be part of a team performance that earned the Baggies their ninth home victory of the campaign and lifted them up to seventh in the table.
“I’m happy, very happy, but also a little disappointed with the missed penalty,” said Lukaku.
“At the end we got our goal and it doesn’t matter whether or not I score as long as we win.
“You can’t have it all and that’s something I learned at a very young age.
“I’m very happy that I got the goal but the win is more important than my own personal performance.
“As long as the team work hard, we pick up points, and I keep improving, I am happy.
“I didn’t have the easiest game but still I got a goal and that means I am there and I am switched on all the time.
“As much as I wish I had scored the penalty, ultimately it didn’t matter, and we still won and we got our three points.
“These things happen in football and you have to move on and not let them stay in your head.
“Overall I had a very good game so I am happy.”
And Lukaku admits Graham Dorrans’ inch-perfect cross for his 40th-minute equaliser made it easier to score than miss.
“Graham knows my style of play and he knows how I run inside the penalty area,” he added.
“I’m always trying to get on the end of crosses and it was a great cross.
“He knew I would be running towards the near post and I knew he would put it there.
“That’s where a striker has to be and thanks to Graham’s cross it was quite an easy goal."
The 6ft3in powerhouse also revealed he enjoyed his duel with imposing Swansea centre-half Ashley Williams.
“It was a real battle with Ashley and it was nice to fight for the ball with a fair defender," he said.
“He’s a nice guy to play against and when you want your team to win it’s normal to be hard on your opponent.
“He’s a good defender and I think he has a bright future ahead of him.
“I hope in the future I can be stronger and have less difficulty against big defenders like Ashley."
“He’s as big but not as strong as me,” he joked.