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Baggies boss rues dropped points

Thu 13 Mar, 07:45 AM


Tony Mowbray admitted his frustration after West Brom missed a chance to close on the Championship leaders with a draw against Crystal Palace.Kevin Phillips netted his 200th career league goal to give Albion a first-half lead but Palace teenager Victor Moses spoiled the FA Cup semi-finalists' fine week with his very first strike after the break.

Mowbray's side could have moved up to third place with a win, but with two games still in hand remain firmly in the picture for automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

The Baggies boss said: "It's great for Kevin to score 200 goals. He's got 20 this year now and he's been doing that for 15 years.

"But it didn't bring us a win and that is what is frustrating for everyone.

"They had a game plan which smothered the midfield and denied us any fluency.

"The opening 20 minutes of the second half was disappointing as it looked like we took a step back and allowed them to build up a bit of momentum which culminated in the goal.

"But looking at the results last night everyone is finding it hard to win games. We have got games in hand and we have to win them."

Mowbray was left to rue a double injury blow which saw Chris Brunt come off with a hamstring injury in the 39th minute, only for his replacement James Morrison to go over on his ankle and have to be replaced himself at half-time.

He said: "The substitutes didn't help us and it's not ideal to have to make so many changes in a short time.

"But it was always going to be a hard game and if you try to play though midfield it's tough, and the odd stray pass creates frustration.

"Saturday sees another team [Leicester] come here who will make it difficult, but that is the challenge of this division."

Palace boss Neil Warnock insisted that West Brom have the ability to win the FA Cup despite being drawn against the only remaining Premier League side in Portsmouth.

Warnock believes Mowbray's side "are the best footballing team" in the Championship and insists that they will relish the tie at Wembley.

He said: "Of course they can win it. I bet Harry Redknapp was disappointed with the draw. They can beat anyone in the Premier League on their day.

"In fact I think they might find it easier than playing some of the teams in our division, especially as underdogs.

"I am envious of the money they have spent but you still have to spend it wisely.

"The only way they won't go up will be through their own fault. They are the best footballing team."

After seeing his 17-year-old forward Moses grab an equaliser before going off injured, Warnock admitted that it was a great result.

He said: "It's a super point. There's not many easy places to go as it seems that everyone is fighting at one end of the table or another.

"We knew what kind of team they have got and they could have put an equally good team out with who they left out.

"One lapse of concentration and we got punished. That's where your real top players come into it. Even before he touched it I thought 'this is a goal'. Anyone but Kevin Phillips and you have a chance but he is such a good finisher.

"I don't think anyone wants to get into the play-offs. We keep finding ourselves hanging in there.

"It was a good goal from Victor and I just hope it wasn't his somersault that injured him. I'll be looking into that. He wanted to come back on but I said no chance."

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