Tony Pulis says Salomon Rondon has upped his game for West Brom
Tuesday 22 November 2016 09:31, UK
Tony Pulis hailed the improvement in Salomon Rondon after he inspired West Brom to a handsome 4-0 win over Burnley.
The striker scored the final goal in a one-sided contest but played a key role in building the home side's lead in a dominant first half, setting up the second goal for James Morrison.
Rondon has become a key player for West Brom after not always making an impact last season and Pulis is happy with the strides he has made.
The West Brom boss told Sky Sports: "Last year was a bit of a struggle for him. He couldn't speak much English.
"His children have got their school and I think the children speak better English than Salomon does. He understands it now so he has become a bigger part of the group.
Trending
- The Friedkin Group complete Everton takeover
- Transfer Centre LIVE! 'Saudi could offer Rashford way out of Man Utd'
- Lawson confirmed as Verstappen's Red Bull team-mate for 2025
- Five years of Arteta: Arsenal transformed but what's next?
- Usyk vs Fury 2: Start time, ring walks, undercard and odds
- World Darts Championship schedule: Smith in action on Thursday
- Nunez and Elliott strike as Liverpool battle past Southampton
- Gabriel Jesus is back! Hat-trick for Arsenal striker sinks Palace
- Papers: Gravenberch set to stay at Liverpool amid Real Madrid links
- Retire? Fight AJ? What happens if Fury loses
"If you go in the canteen, he sits with the players whereas before he would follow Claudio Yacob a little bit worried about not understanding the lads.
"He's a good player and he's certainly upped his game from last year. Obviously he wants to score every week not just play well so it's lovely to see him on the scoresheet."
Three Scotland internationals gave West Brom a commanding half-time lead as Matt Phillips and Darren Fletcher struck either side of Morrison.
The result also gave the Midlands side just their third clean sheet of the Premier League season and their first in nine games, the last one coming in August.
Pulis added: "We're pleased. I think we scored the goals at the right time and we grew in confidence from there.
"I'm really pleased with the clean sheet. Obviously the four goals are brilliant for the supporters and everyone else but it's always nice to have that solid base.
"It's a pleasing performance and a pleasing result. Burnley are a good side and never stop so you're on your toes hoping that fourth goes in so you can relax a bit.
"We've watched them quite a few times and if they get set they're very hard to break down so we wanted to drop off a little deeper and allow them to come on to us so we could play James a little bit further up in the pockets.
"It's nice when you work on something and it comes off. It's a great result and the most important thing now is to prepare for Saturday at Hull which is another massive game for us.
"I'm very, very pleased we've won tonight. It's a very important result for us. Like I say, the important thing now is the Hull game and making sure we're ready for that."
Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4!