Club News

Relieved Mel proud of players and fans

Boss delighted with crucial win over West Ham

PEPE Mel admitted there was a huge sense of relief after his first Hawthorns win put Albion within touching distance of Barclays Premier League safety.

Top scorer Saido Berahino’s fifth Barclays Premier League goal of the season set the Baggies en route to their first home victory in eight games as they beat West Ham 1-0.

And Mel was full of praise for his players for seeing their game-plan through as he also thanked the Albion fans for roaring his team over the line.

He said: “Yes there is a sense of relief, particularly because in the last two home games we really did deserve to be here talking about West Brom victories - but this wasn’t the case.

“The game today really was a very tight one and I’m extremely proud of the players for carrying out exactly what we’d worked on during the week.

“They worked extremely hard against what is a very physical team, a team that is strong defensively.

“Tonight we can go home feeling very happy.

“I really am extremely happy for the fans.

“And we need to thank them because they gave us that help to see us over the line.

“Today they’ve once again shown they are the best fans in the Premier League and today we can all go home happy.”