Club News

Foster on United defeat and forthcoming festive period

Albion's second-highest Premier league tally at Christmas

BEN Foster reacted to Albion's 2-0 reverse against Manchester United at The Hawthorns on Saturday evening.

The Baggies fell to defeat in their final home match of 2016 as Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck a brace - heading the visitors into an early lead before doubling the advantage, via a deflection off Craig Dawson, shortly before the hour mark.

Foster showed his quality, pushing Wayne Rooney's goalbound strike on to the crossbar, but he was helpless for both United's goals.

Albion, seventh in the Premier League table on 23 points, now head into festive trips away to Arsenal on Boxing Day and Southampton on New Year's Eve. 

Speaking post-match, Foster admitted Ibrahimovic's fifth-minute header was an early sucker punch.

Foster on the defeat...
"The early goal took the wind out of our sails, we started well.
"It was a good goal to be fair, one of those where you hold your hands up to goals like that.
"But I thought they did well, controlled the game from there on.
"We gave it a go but just couldn't find the breakthrough."

On Ibrahimovic being the difference...
"Yeah, he's a big bloke. It's my first time up close and personal with him.
"He is what he is, he's good with the ball at his feet, good with the ball in the air and he's a great player."

On the festive period...
"It's nice to have a little bit of a break. The next game is Boxing Day now, it's been a busy last week with three games in six days.
"It's a good chance to rest the legs for a few days."