FA PREMIER LEAGUE: Manchester City 3 West Brom 0:THIS WAS a result that cost Roberto Di Matteo his job as West Bromwich Albion manager and left Manchester City wondering if they might yet catch Manchester United to land a first title since Joe Mercer led the side of Mike Summerbee, Francis Lee and Colin Bell to the club's second championship, in 1968.
Di Matteo was sacked yesterday morning by the West Bromwich board with the club now two points above the relegation zone, having lost 13 of their past 18 games, leaving them with a goal difference of minus 17.
Di Matteo, who had taken over in June 2009 and guided West Bromwich to promotion last season, voiced his dismay in a statement released through the League Managers Association in which he defended his record. “I was extremely surprised and disappointed to be relieved of my duties,” the 40-year-old said. “Apart from the first week of the season the club has not been in the bottom three. I am disappointed that I don’t have the chance to keep them in the league.”
Jeremy Peace, the West Bromwich chairman, defended the decision. “We, as a board, believe it is the right one to give the club the best possible chance of remaining in the Premier League. Our poor sequence of results stretches back more than three months. That is why we felt compelled to act now,” he said.
Michael Appleton, the first-team coach, has been placed in temporary charge and he is among the early favourites alongside Sam Allardyce, Martin Jol, Derek McInnes, the St Johnstone manager and former West Bromwich player, and Doncaster’s Sean O’Driscoll. Chris Hughton and Alan Curbishley may also be of interest.
On a Saturday of rampant scoring in the Premier League with 41 goals, West Bromwich were the only side to fail to register. While a Carlos Tevez-led City were dominant, Di Matteo was done no favours by his players’ slipshod marking and willingness to concede space, particularly in the first half. This gave City a much needed win, following a defeat and draw. Three-nil really should have been six or seven in what was the Tevez show on his 27th birthday, with two penalties and a sharp finish.
The halting of United’s undefeated league run at 29 games by Wolverhampton Wanderers later on Saturday offered further ballast to David Platt, the coach, who asserted that, when City pitch up at Old Trafford on Saturday, there will be “no psychological” issues as they attempt to beat Alex Ferguson’s men. “I don’t think this team looks at it and thinks, ‘Oh we’re playing Manchester United, we can’t win’,” said Platt.
* Guardian Service
