West Bromwich Albion rode their luck somewhat to see off title-chasing Arsenal with a 2-1 victory at The Hawthorns this afternoon.
The hosts fell behind on 28 minutes when Olivier Giroud nodded home the opener, but James Morrison got them back on level terms as the Baggies preserved hopes of improving on their one home win this season.
Before the break, Mikel Arteta turned a wicked James McClean cross into his own net, while Santi Cazorla fired a penalty over the crossbar in the final quarter.
Here, Sports Mole looks at how Albion bounced back from two successive defeats and how the Gunners shot themselves in the foot in the West Midlands.
Match statistics
WEST BROM
Shots: 4
On target: 1
Possession: 28%
Corners: 3
Fouls: 14
ARSENAL
Shots: 11
On target: 3
Possession: 72%
Corners: 5
Fouls: 10
Was the result fair?
By virtue of the fact that West Bromwich Albion had 28% of possession and one shot on target, it could be argued that Arsenal deserved at least a point. And they did, but they simply lacked the killer instinct to take it which, in truth, does not bode well in a title challenge. Arsene Wenger's men fashioned more than enough chances - not to mention a missed penalty - but luck did not favour them. Then again, would-be champions arguably make their own luck.
West Brom's performance
It would have been easy to fear for Albion after they went 1-0 down on 28 minutes. After all, they had only won once at The Hawthorns all season long, while all four of their victories were by a 1-0 scoreline. But to their credit, Tony Pulis's men responded excellently and Morrison equalised with a fine finish after Chris Brunt delivered a wonderful free kick to the back post.
McClean had been making headlines for stories relating to what he wore on his chest rather than what he did with his feet as of late, but the Republic of Ireland international was superb on the left wing, using his pace and his power to torment Hector Bellerin. It will have come as no surprise then that he was instrumental in fashioning the winner; ghosting past Bellerin again before drilling a low cross which Arteta turned home. With a full second half to go, though, the job was far from finished.
Conceding 17 times in 13 games is not a statistic which has been synonymous with Pulis teams in previous years, but they looked much better defensively compared to recent outings. Jonas Olsson was particularly brilliant at the heart of their defence as a combination of excellent good defending and good luck preserved their narrow lead for much of the half. It was Brunt who jeopardised the chances of victory when he fouled the lethal Alexis Sanchez, but Cazorla sent his penalty over the crossbar and that was it.
Even Pulis would admit that his troops got away with one, but with tricky clashes with West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool on the horizon, he will not care one bit. This victory sets them up to give a good account of themselves in the weeks ahead.
Arsenal's performance
From smashing rivals like Manchester United 3-0, to earning a thoroughly undeserved point against Tottenham Hotspur thanks to their new-found resilience, Arsenal have passed a number of tests over their title credentials - but coming from behind in grounds like this, on bitterly cold afternoons like this, was unfamiliar territory for them this season. It was a test which they failed.
For all their improvement, there were shades of old Arsenal about them this evening; the one which would often ship goals in a relatively slapstick nature. Fit-again Hector Bellerin failed to pick up the run of Morrison for the Baggies' equaliser, while the Spanish right-back was also perhaps culpable for the second when McClean ghosted past him en route to delivering the cross which bounced off Arteta. If Arsenal did not already know that it was not their day, then they would soon learn in the second period.
It was a fast-and-furious second half from the visitors, with Sanchez bursting to life, while the quiet Mesut Ozil struck the post early on. Arteta - who had earlier replaced the injured Francis Coquelin - then went off with a thigh problem as Arsenal's injury crisis looks poised to increase at a terrible time for them. With two substitutions used on defensive midfielders, Arsenal needed something else and Joel Campbell then replaced the ineffective Kieran Gibbs, who was used in left midfield. Within minutes, Campbell missed the chance of the game in an incident which left Wenger fuming on the touchline.
Even still, the North Londoners looked poised to win at least a point when Brunt fouled Sanchez, but Cazorla mimicked John Terry from the penalty spot and fired well over. It was simply not Arsenal's day, while it was also a performance which may suggest that it might not be their season either. They shot themselves in the foot and there is certainly plenty to do if Wenger wants to deliver a first title since 2004.
Sports Mole's man of the match
Alexis Sanchez: Despite being on the losing side, the explosive Chilean was far and away the game's best player. He put an indifferent opening 45 minutes to one side and ran the second half. He was at the heart of absolutely everything and if ever a player did not deserve to be on the losing side, it was him.
Biggest gaffe
It did not speak volumes for Campbell when he was left out of the starting XI in favour of left-back Gibbs, who was given an attacking role. The Costa Rican could, and definitely should, have proven that he deserved a starting berth on 67 minutes when a delightful cross from Cazorla found him at the back post, but Campbell, from a matter of yards out, thrashed wide when it looked easier to score. Honourable mention to Cazorla, who missed the penalty, but Campbell's was that bit worse.
Referee performance
Mark Clattenburg had an okay game overall, but Wenger might well take exception to his decision to award the hosts a free kick when Arteta appeared to legitimately win the ball in a challenge on Rondon. From that free kick, Morrison equalised and the French manager could be within his rights to highlight that decision from Clattenburg.
What's next?
West Brom: Next up for the Baggies is a tricky trip to West Ham United next Sunday.
Arsenal: Also returning on the Sunday, the Gunners face Norwich City at Carrow Road.
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