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Match Analysis: West Bromwich Albion 3-3 Cardiff City

Sports Mole looks back over the 3-3 draw between West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City at The Hawthorns.

Mats Moller Daelhi scored with the last kick of the game to salvage a 3-3 draw for Cardiff City away at fellow strugglers West Bromwich Albion this afternoon.

The hosting Baggies scored twice within the opening nine minutes through Morgan Amalfitano and Graham Dorrans, although Jordan Mutch reduced the deficit before the break.

Steven Caulker then drew Cardiff level after the restart, before Thievy Bifouma looked to have secured the points in stoppage time for West Brom.

However, in the final attack of the contest Daelhi struck from close range to ensure that the spoils would be shared at The Hawthorns.

Below, Sports Mole has looked back over the 90 minutes plus stoppage time to determine if the result was a fair one.

Match statistics

West Brom
Shots: 16
On target: 6
Possession: 41%
Corners: 4
Fouls: 12

Cardiff
Shots: 11
On target: 5
Possession: 59%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 13

Was the result fair?

It was such an entertaining encounter that it would have been harsh on either side had there been a loser. West Brom will probably be extremely deflated, given the nature in which they conceded the late goal, but on the balance of play, a draw was the fairest outcome.

West Brom's performance

Where do you even start?! They came out of traps like a greyhound, racing into a two-goal lead that could have been greater. After Cardiff scored, though, there was a real nervousness about their play. The passing was wayward and there were a number of errors defensively. That didn't seem to matter when Bifouma struck, but some more lacklustre defending meant that they were unable to hold on to claim the crucial three points.

Cardiff's performance

If ever there was a match that summed up why Cardiff are struggling, this was it. For the second week running they've scored three goals and have just one point to show for it. While they are dangerous going forward, every time that they are attacked, the opposition tends to carve out an opportunity. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must also sort out his liking for playing a 3-5-2 formation with wing-backs. In the last three matches, he has altered that strategy before the break. If it's not working, perhaps now is the time to change it.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Steven Caulker: Cardiff may have shipped three goals, but it would have been even more but for some well-timed challenges and blocks from their centre-back. The 22-year-old also showed some good awareness in a positional sense. Furthermore, he proved his worth in the opposition's area by heading in the first equaliser.

Biggest gaffe

This has to go to the entire West Brom team for the way that they defended in stoppage time. Having taken the lead, they pushed forward in search of a fourth goal. Cardiff broke and despite having the chance to clear Wilfried Zaha's cross, they failed to do so and Daehli punished them.

Referee performance

It was a frantic contest for Michael Oliver to contend with, but he did so very well. He allowed the game to flow when other officials may have stopped play unnecessarily. It's fair to say that Oliver played a big role in helping this game to be as entertaining as it proved to be.

What next?

West Brom: The Baggies are on the road next weekend with a trip to Norfolk to take on Norwich City at Carrow Road.

Cardiff: As for Cardiff, they will return to home comforts, with the visit of Crystal Palace.

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Mats Moller Daehli of Cardiff City celebrates scoring their third goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Brom on March 29, 2014
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