Merson thrilled by debut goals

Paul Merson is mobbed by his delighted team-mates Match report: Walsall 4-1 West Brom

Walsall hero Paul Merson was overwhelmed by the standing ovation he received following his match-winning start with his new club.

Merson was applauded off the pitch by both sets of fans after being substituted near the end of the Saddlers' 4-1 thrashing of their Midlands rivals.

"It has certainly been a great start for me," modest Merson reflected afterwards.

He added: "It was the perfect time to play West Brom and I was delighted to score.

"They were two wonderful goals and the first was the best because it changed the game.

"Goals are only good to score when they mean you win."

Walsall boss Colin Lee was thrilled to see his new captain make an instant impression at the Bescot Stadium.

I still feel West Brom will do very well this season Walsall boss Colin Lee

Lee said: "He is probably the only person who could have scored that first goal.

"We scored four special goals, one (Merson's first) a candidate for goal of the season.

"It was just one of those days when everything went right for us. I still feel West Brom will do very well this season and I would not be surprised to see them finish up there."

But Albion manager Gary Megson condemned some of his team's defending as "pathetic".

He said: "It was the first game of the season and in this weather it was important to score the first goal."

"I thought we set off very well and were on top, had a couple of chances and then made a completely naive challenge which cost us the first goal."

Megson played a straight bat to questions over whether Albion had turned down a chance to sign Merson before he joined Walsall.

"Everybody had the same opportunity to sign him," he said.

"We have some decent players who have had a bad day today. We did not sign Merson along with about 90 other clubs - end of story."

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