Match Reports

Match Report : 02/01/2017

Baggies remain eighth in table on 29 points

  • Snodgrass slots home for Hull (21)
  • Brunt heads in from Phillips corner (49)
  • McAuley from Phillips corner after goal-line technology (62)
  • Morrison volleys home third of season (73)
  • Attendance: 23,402
  • Albion Star Man: Claudio Yacob
ALBION started 2017 in the same way they finished 2016 - with all three points, following a 3-1 victory over Hull City at The Hawthorns.

Just 48 hours after an impressive 2-1 triumph at Southampton, the Baggies again showed great pride and spirit to come from behind and claim the spoils.

Back-to-back victories ensure Tony Pulis' side remain eighth in the Premier League but move on to 29 points, with the in-form Matt Phillips now having played a direct part in 11 goals in the last 10 games.

It was his corner from which Chris Brunt headed home to level matters in the 49th minute, coming after Robert Snodgrass had handed the Tigers a half-time advantage.

And Albion took the lead just after the hour mark courtesy of another Phillips corner, McAuley this time heading home despite the best efforts of Sam Clucas, with referee Mark Clattenburg turning to goal-line technology.

It was left for the recalled James Morrison to wrap up victory as he volleyed home, much to the delight of the Hawthorns faithful, who will be back on home soil for Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie against Derby County.

The visitors enjoyed the better of the opening quarter, Snodgrass seeing his free-kick saved by Ben Foster while skipper Michael Dawson drilled wide when well placed from a corner.

And it was they who took the lead after 21 minutes, Ahmed Elmohamady lofted a hopeful ball into the area which was met by Snodgrass and he sent the ball into the back of the net from 10 yards out.

Albion threatened shortly after the half-hour mark as Allan Nyom, on for the injured Jonny Evans, sent in a cross which was headed goalwards by Salomon Rondon and duly collected by David Marshall. 

The Tigers stopped was called upon to palm away Phillips' header while, at the other end, Foster kept out Tom Huddlestone as the Baggies went into the interval 1-0 down.

Yet, just four minutes into the second period, the hosts levelled matters.

Phillips sent in an inswinging corner and Brunt, unmarked at the back post, powered a header past Marshall from six yards out.

Albion completed the turnaround in the 62nd minute as McAuley's header was adjudged to have crossed the line.

Hull substitute Ryan Mason went close with a header before Morrison made sure of victory when he volleyed home as Rondon flicked on Hal Robson-Kanu's cross.

Albion: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans (Nyom 30), Brunt; Yacob, Fletcher (c); Phillips, Morrison, Chadli (Robson-Kanu 62); Rondon (McClean 87).

Subs: Myhill; Olsson, Gardner, Galloway.

Hull: Marshall, Maguire, Davies (Henriksen 84), Dawson (c), Elmohamady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Clucas, Snodgrass, Mbokani (Mason 65), Diomande.

Subs: Jakupovic, Robertson, Meyler, Maloney, Weir.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Durham)