WBA 4 Charlton Athletic 2

West Brom scored four, took all three points and have gone top of the table. Charlton can have few complaints and were comprehensively beaten. Nicky Weaver made several good saves or it might have looked worse.

Alan Pardew won't be too disappointed. His side competed well in the first half and had even managed to take the lead through a fine piece of play from Thomas on the right flank. He skinned the young Albion full-back and left him on his back-side as he floated in the cross which Big Chris did very well to reach and direct back across the keeper. The goal came against the run of play but we hadn't looked ragged. Roman Bednar had hit a post and Weaver was busy but we looked strong. The Baggies hit back before the break when Bednar latched onto a through ball and managed to turn it inside the advancing Weaver. Big Chris turned an ankle and couldn't continue which will be a concern for Pards.

West Brom started the second half in top gear and Zoltan Gera headed home a fine cross at the back post. He squeezed it passed a surprised looking Nicky Weaver who looked to me like he'd shut his eyes. If Weaver can take any criticism for the second it would be harsh and he more than made up for it seconds later with a one-handed diving save from a follow-up header. West Brom created a number of good chances to kill the game but it was the Addicks who scored next. Luke Varney (on for Ambrose) broke free on the left and Izale Mcleod (for Iwelumo) slotted home. At this point anything looked possible but we were fortunate to be level.

Justice was duly served with Gera again thumping home a powerful back-post header from another delicious cross. We still had time for another couple of half-chances before substitute Kevin Phillips sniffed a fourth following a goalmouth scramble and ended the contest.

A heavier-than-usual looking Andy Reid was substituted in the sceond half and appeared to be struggling, so we have to hope that's precautionary and that Iwelumo's ankle doesn't turn out to be as bad as it looked. Hopefully this defeat can be turned to our advantage and be the stimulus for a convincing win against and double against Hull next week.