Olsson stands tall to bag first away success
Olsson, an £800,000 bargain buy from Dutch club NEC Nijmegen on the last day of the transfer window, poked home the 53rd-minute winner during a towering performance in the centre of defence.
An inspired performance from ‘keeper Scott Carson also kept Middlesbrough at bay as he pulled off three fine saves to deny Gary O’Neil, Afonso Alves and Mido, while James Morrison cleared twice off the line.
And Mowbray, once a highly respected centre-half at Boro himself, believes the 6ft 4ins Olsson can become one of the finds of the Premier League season.
Mowbray said: “I’m not sure how many of his passes set us on our way today but he brings that to us. If he puts his body on the line for the team like he did today and fights his corner, we’ll have a good player.
“He’s still got to develop his upper body strength and his heading. He’s come from Dutch football where it’s all about pass, pass, pass. He’s better than some of our midfielders with his decision-making.”
The Swede notched the only goal of the game after a half-cleared corner had been flicked back into the box by substitute Ishmael Miller, sending the Baggies up to 10th and bringing Boro’s 100% home record to an end.
It would have been even more embarrassing for manager Gareth Southgate if Miller had not selfishly gone for glory on the counter-attack three times in the dying seconds, instead of passing to a team-mate.
Southgate said: “At this moment in time I’m more than a bit fed up but you just have to roll your sleeves up and go again. It’s one of those days.”
It was a precious victory for Albion, who were forced to reshuffle seconds after kick-off when Korean Do-Heon Kim suffered a serious injury after falling unchallenged. He needs to go and have a scan but our doctor thinks the minimum is his medial knee ligaments, which is six weeks out – and it could be worse than that,” confirmed a worried Mowbray afterwards.
Olsson showed his value in the 14th minute when he produced a superb challenge to deny a Mido chance, and Albion came close in the 35th minute when Borja Valero dipped his long-range effort just over the bar.
Olsson was dangerous again two minutes later as he rose to meet a Jonathan Greening corner only to see his effort superbly tipped onto the post by Ross Turnbull.
Olsson’s goal early in the second period was the signal for a sustained period of Boro pressure, James Morrison clearing from a David Wheater header and Carson saving at point-blank range from Mido.
Carson, another singled out for praise from his manager afterwards, then palmed away an O’Neil effort in the 75th minute and got down well to save the follow-up from Mido.
Stewart Downing just failed to connect with an Adam Johnson cross and Wheater headed straight at Carson as time ran out and Miller spurned his numerous chances to wrap the game up for the visitors.
REFEREE: Chris Foy (Merseyside) 7: Little to tax the officials here.
MATCH RATING: *** Boro need to sharpen their finishing if their tidy football is to be rewarded.
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Turnbull 5, Hoyte 6, Huth 7, Wheater 6, Taylor 6, Aliadiere 5 (A Johnson 60, 5), O'Neil 6, Shawky 5 (Digard 60, 5), Downing 6, Alves 6, Mido 6.
Subs Not Used: Jones, Riggott, Emnes, Bennett, Walker.
WEST BROM (4-4-2): Carson 9, Zuiverloon 7, Donk 6, Olsson 8, Robinson 7, Borja Valero 6, Morrison 6 (Cech 76, 5), Koren 6, Greening 6, Kim 5 (MacDonald 4, 4; Miller 46, 4), Bednar 6.
Subs Not Used: Kiely, Barnett, Moore, Pele.
