Robson keeps record going

Soccer English FA Premiership/West Brom 2 Manchester City 0: Manchester City discovered again on Saturday that there is little escape from the influence of their neighbours.

Bryan Robson never lost to City when he played for Manchester United, so the law of averages suggested a win was due and as if that were not enough the victory was secured by the former United player Ronnie Wallwork with his first goal for West Bromwich since joining them from Old Trafford two years ago.

Kevin Campbell also opened his account for West Bromwich, although he did not have such a long wait. The veteran striker, making his home debut after joining them from Everton, put his new club in front with his first goal in nine months. It made for a heady atmosphere and talk of West Bromwich becoming the first Premiership club to avoid relegation after propping up the table at Christmas.

Robson has always maintained that particular piece of history is bunk and, judging from the way he is bringing the best out of Wallwork and Martin Albrechtsen, players who languished under his predecessor Gary Megson, he may be right. Wallwork's goal, stooping to nod home Geoff Horsfield's headed knockdown, was a fitting reward for his man-of-the-match display.

Albrechtsen, a key figure in a resolute defensive display when the visitors finally shook off their pre-half-time indolence, delivered the cross from which Campbell thumped home the first.

Campbell's previous goal had come against City last season. He showed then that he had not forgotten how to score, but later that his memory is not perfect. When the number nine flashed up to indicate that Robert Earnshaw was being substituted, Campbell headed for the touchline. He wore that number at Everton.

It was the 34-year-old's only false move of the match, his display endorsing Robson's decision to sign him. "When you are in the position we are in, you need good solid characters like Kevin Campbell to get you out of trouble," the manager said.

Kevin Keegan is also in the market for players to bolster a City squad he claims is becoming increasingly tired. He hopes to sign the Dutch left winger Kiki Musampa on loan from Atletico Madrid and the Spanish left-back Juanfran from Besiktas, although with Nicolas Anelka possibly destined for Fenerbahce and Robbie Fowler and Jon Macken toothless against West Brom, another striker would not come amiss. - Guardian Service