‘Massive’ – Michael Dawson left stunned by Darnell Furlong in West Brom v Blackburn
Michael Dawson was left stunned live on Sky Sports by Darnell Furlong’s long throw which led to the opening goal in the 4-1 win for West Brom against Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns.
Furlong’s throw into the box caused chaos, with Kyle Bartley involved in the buildup before Tom Fellows scored his first league goal from the club, colliding with the post in the process.
Dawson described Fellows as “brave” in his effort to score, but was stunned mainly by Furlong’s role, and while he admitted the goal wasn’t pretty, that long throw was certainly effective.
Speaking live on Sky Sports News [13 January, 15:14], Dawson explained: “It wasn’t a worldy goal that’s for sure. It’s a long throw from Furlong, it’s absolutely massive, it’s like a rocket straight into the box and Blackburn don’t deal with it.
“It’s Kyle Bartley who gets across his player in the middle of the six-yard box, it bounces and it’s Tom Fellows who is brave, he had to put his body on the line, he’s two yards out and he collides with the post. He doesn’t care, it’s 1-0 West Brom.”
Real weapon
In an age where pretty football is prioritised over anything else, West Brom have a real weapon in an old-school style and tactic which routinely proves difficult for any Championship team to deal with.
The ability for Furlong to launch the ball into the box gives Albion an extra dimension to their attacking play, knowing they can be a threat from all set-pieces rather than just throw-ins and free-kicks, and allowing them to pile the pressure on the opposition defence.
Being able to switch up their play from the controlling attacking play they have at their disposal and the chaos that comes along with these long throws means teams can often struggle to get a handle on where the main threat will come from.
Dawson was wowed by what he saw from Furlong, and Carlos Corberan recognises the weapon he has got at his disposal, allowing the full-back to make the most of his ability.
It was a big moment for Fellows as well, although it went under the radar with Dawson, as he followed up on his first senior goal for the Baggies in the FA Cup by finding the net for his first Championship goal here.
In other West Brom news, Albion are targeting another transfer deal.