Fletcher's second goal of the season for the Baggies
CAPTAIN Darren Fletcher reacted to Albion's 2-0 victory over Sunderland at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
Fletcher handed the hosts the lead with a superbly-taken left-footed strike on the half-hour mark before Chris Brunt quickly followed that up with a spectacular effort of his own to put the Baggies on their way to all three points.
It ensured Tony Pulis' side remain in eighth place in the Premier League table and moved on to 32 points after 22 games in late January.
SWEET SPOT: Darren Fletcher chests, turns and volleys home in the 30th minute against Sunderland
Speaking afterwards, Fletcher was delighted to net his second goal of the campaign and help Albion get back to winning ways.
Fletcher on the important timing of his opener...
"I thought we were on top and a little bit sloppy with that final pass but we were getting in good areas and we looked like the team scoring.
"But the longer it goes on you want to take your chances and I managed to do that.
"We played some good stuff in that period before the two goals. I thought we were really in the ascendancy.
"As I say, maybe just that final ball the odd time...but we were getting in some good positions, getting wide, getting crosses in and looking dangerous.
"It felt inevitable that the goal was going to come."
Fletcher on his goal...
"My job is looking for second balls and it fell to Gareth (McAuley), I just knew Gareth was just going to play it to me with a little assist.
"I just thought chest and volley. I thought all the players were to my left so I better go the opposite way, obviously it's not my favoured foot but I managed to get a good connection and it was nice to see it go in the back of the net.
"It was a great little header from Gareth, a great assist, hopefully it doesnt go unnoticed."
Fletcher on Brunt's second...
"It was an unbelievable strike.
"Nacer (Chadli) is claiming an assist, he'll be disappointed not to score but Brunty's hit an unbelievable strike and I thought we controlled the game from there.
"I spoke before about the fine balance second half between getting a third but not conceding a goal. Sometimes you get caught inbetween, really.
"A clean sheet and a 2-0 victory, it's a great result."
Fletcher on keeping a clean sheet...
"We've been conceding the odd goal here and there, it's unlike us, really.
"But the only good thing about that is we've been scoring more at the other end.
"I think the football has been good, it's always nice to get clean sheets, managers and defenders like them, but at the same time we look at threat at the other end.
"It's not a bad thing to know that if teams score then we've got a few goals in us."