Club News

Brunt glad of technology on big call

And skipper pleased with fightback

CHRIS Brunt was relieved goalline technology ensured Albion's equaliser in today's 1-1 draw with Fulham stood in what is proving one of the tightest relegation battles for years.

Matej Vydra's shot from Victor Anichebe's cross squirmed under Cottagers stopper Maarten Stekelenburg, who came within inches of clawing the ball to safety.

The Baggies faithful waited with bated breath as referee Mike Dean consulted his Hawk-Eye watch which, within a second, relayed a message confirming the ball had crossed the line.

It proved the difference in the hosts picking up a crucial point to move up to 16th in a bottom-nine separated by just seven points.

And Brunt, who took the man-of-the-match honours, insists the technology can no longer have its doubters.

"I don't know whether that's as tight as it gets but it was close," he said.

"I was just waiting to see the referee's reaction.

"The technology is a good thing because it's so difficult to tell and there's a lot at stake at this end of the table.

"The assistant referee was so far away it would have been a hard one for him to tell.

"The referee was stood beside me in the middle of the pitch so he can't see.

"Now we have a definite decision and one that can't be argued with - that's important.

"Once it goes to the referee's watch there can be no argument from either side.

"It's taken out of the referee's hands which is a positive thing as it is so difficult to tell.

"It's been used a few times this season but it's the first time in one of our games.

"We were delighted to see the referee point back towards the halfway line.

"Stekelenburg was superb today so it was always going to take something a bit freakish to beat him.

"He's probably gutted he let that one in but he more than made up for it with the other saves he made."

Brunt says he is pleased with the way his team-mates responded to going behind - but is adamant they must stop conceding first.

"The first half wasn't great again and it's something we need to address," he added.

"At the minute it seems we're going 1-0 down quite a lot and it means you have to scrap pretty hard to get back into the game.

"Second half we did everything but score.

"Fulham's keeper made some really good saves.

"They defended really well and we knew it was going to be tough once we'd gone 1-0 down.

"Credit to the lads, we kept plugging away and got the point.

"It was one we were hoping to get all three points from but it extends our unbeaten run at home.

"We're happy in one sense but a bit disappointed in another.

"It was a game we could have won.

"Having said that, it was important not to lose, especially at home."