Club News

Pulis praise for all-round effort

Baggies back up to seventh after Rondon hat-trick

SALOMON Rondon stole the headlines but head coach Tony Pulis led his salute on an historic night for Albion with praise for all his players.

Rondon’s hat-trick was the talk of The Hawthorns and beyond as it sealed the Baggies century of Premier League wins at the expense of Swansea City.

Pulis was naturally thrilled for the Venezuelan star but even more pleased at the all-round effort which took Albion back to seventh in the top flight.

He said: “I understand Sal will be the centre of attention and it was a fantastic headed hat-trick.

“But I’m even more pleased for the group.

“We had some hurdles to overcome in the game – we played 24 hours later than Swansea at the weekend which gave them more recovery time and we also had to make changes to the back four for the first time in an age.

“I think that showed. We were flat in the first half, laboured and just could not get going or play anywhere near the level we are capable of.

“Having said that we still had some great chances to score.

“Salomon’s missed a couple and a goal has been ruled out for offside against Jonas Olsson when it was Nacer Chadli’s header which went in.

“But I thought in the first 20 minutes of the second half our big players shone.

“We were much more like ourselves and that is where we won the game.

“I’m really pleased with the group because this is in the middle of a really tough week and now we have to get them rested and ready for Manchester United on Saturday.”

The Baggies will have Craig Dawson available again after his one-game suspension but Pulis confirmed doubts remain over Jonny Evans, he missed the Swans clash with a calf problem.