West Brom 2-0 Blackburn

Campbell pokes a shot past Rovers keeper Friedel

West Brom striker Kevin Campbell celebrated his 36th birthday with the goal that put his side on the way to victory against Blackburn.

Campbell chested down a long diagonal ball from Junichi Inamoto before slotting home to put the Baggies ahead.

A stunning Jonathan Greening half-volley extended West Brom's lead against a drained-looking Blackburn.

The visitors never lacked effort but rarely threatened as they struggled to work their way back into the game.

Blackburn went into the fixture as the form team of the Premiership at the moment, but they were overpowered by the Baggies.

Campbell had an excellent chance to land an early blow when Greening delivered a low cross to the near post, only for the veteran striker shooting just wide.

But, almost immediately, he atoned for his error when he chested down Inamoto's pinpoint pass before poking the ball past keeper Brad Friedel.

A buoyant Baggies had plenty of spring in their step against their flat opponents and Greening added an immaculate second for the home side.

I've no complaints with the result, Blackburn just didn't perform From OJ Have your say on 606

He controlled a high bouncing ball on the edge of the Blackburn box and powered a shot into the top corner after 32 minutes.

The visitors had little answer to West Brom's dominance in midfield and Inamoto almost put the Baggies further ahead when he intercepted a poor pass before shooting the wrong side of the post.

Blackburn beat Manchester United 4-3 in midweek and they seemed to be suffering the affects of their exploits with Morten Gamst Pedersen's saved free-kick a rare attempt on goal.

And, despite a rally at the start of the second half, Blackburn failed to wrestle the game's grip away from a determined Baggies outfit.

Pedersen headed agonisingly across goal while Rovers defender Ryan Nelsen thundered a header high from 10 yards in their closest efforts on goal.

Florent Sinama-Pongolle epitomised Blackburn's struggles when he mistimed a six-yard header as West Brom comfortably held on to end a run of two successive Premiership defeats at home.

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West Brom boss Bryan Robson:
"I can't put my finger on our inconsistency. "From the start we looked bright against a Blackburn team that have become renowned for being a strong powerful side.

"There is now a bit of daylight between us and the bottom three and it's a great three points for us."

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes:
 "We found it very difficult to create any clear-cut chances in the second half, even though we had the vast majority of the play.

"We just didn't display any urgency and maybe that was as a consequence of our efforts on Wednesday.

"But that would be too easy an excuse to make."

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West Brom: Kuszczak, Albrechtsen, Curtis Davies, Clement, Robinson, Greening, Wallwork, Quashie (Carter 78), Inamoto, Campbell (Ellington 67), Horsfield (Kozak 86).
Subs Not Used: Kirkland, Martinez.

Booked: Wallwork.

Goals: Campbell 6, Greening 32.

Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Todd, Nelsen, Gray, Reid, Savage, Tugay (Emerton 45), Pedersen (Peter 76), Kuqi (Sinama Pongolle 54), Bentley.
Subs Not Used: Enckelman, Mokoena.

Booked: Peter.

Att: 23,993

Ref: C Foy (Merseyside).