Promoted West Brom showed no signs of easing off as they swept aside Middlesbrough with a 2-0 win.
Bednar shines as West Brom cruise to victory
Promoted West Brom showed no signs of easing off as they swept aside Middlesbrough with a 2-0 win at The Hawthorns.
The hosts had the better of the opening exchanges but had to wait until the stroke of half-time to take the lead through Simon Cox
Czech striker Roman Bednar chested down a high ball for Cox, who made some space on the edge of the area before firing a shot into the top corner.
The Baggies remained in control after the break and Bednar killed the game off by pouncing from close-range after confusion in the Boro defence.
The Baggies went into the game knowing they needed a victory to keep their slim title hopes alive and they duly held on to grab the three points.
Bright start
Despite already sealing promotion, Albion pushed forward from the start and could have taken an early lead through Cox but his 20-yard strike was well saved by Brad Jones.
The Australian stopper was called into action once again moments later as he gathered in Bednar's deflected effort.
Boro tried to counter West Brom's early pressure but their assault continued as Chris Brunt forced yet another save from Jones.
The deadlock was almost broken when Robert Koren robbed on-loan Spurs defender Kyle Naughton before playing in Bednar, who fired against the crossbar after cleverly working an opening.
Gordon Strachan's counter-attacking was almost rewarded minutes later, though, as Boro turned defence into attack, allowing Barry Robson to race through only to see his shot blocked by Gabriel Tamas.
The visitors again threatened just before the interval as neat interplay between Chris Killen and Scott McDonald resulted with the latter looping an effort just over Scott Carson's crossbar.
The Baggies continued to press forward though and took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Cox's 10th goal of the season.
Emphatic
A long ball found Bednar, who chested into the path of Cox, allowing the 22-year-old to jink past Stephen McManus and fire an emphatic strike into the top-left corner.
Albion continued where they left off at the start of the second half as Cox saw his effort blocked after an excellent one-two with Bednar.
They doubled their advantage in the 55th minute when Cox's header from Koren's cross fell into the path of Bednar, who made no mistake from five yards.
The hosts almost made it three midway through the half but Jones was again on hand to deny Koren.
The 29-year-old Slovenia international turned provider moments later, as his clever through-ball found Bednar, but the front-man's effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Jones.
After another couple of fine saves from the 28-year-old, Boro could have given themselves a sniff in the 85th minute but Leroy Lita could not get the ball under control allowing substitute goalkeeper Dean Kiely to collect.
Their efforts were thwarted once more five minutes later when McDonald headed Robson's free-kick against the post.
That proved to be the game's last opportunity as the hosts saw the game out.