McAuley happy with West Brom’s set-piece prowess

It’s probably fair to say that if you were looking for ‘beautiful’ football, The Hawthorns would not be your first point of call.

But West Brom defender Gareth McAuley admits his side are not sorry to keep on scoring goals from set-pieces after their third win in five games.

The festive period has been kind to the Baggies with victories over Hull City, Southampton and Swansea – while their two defeats came against Premier League heavyweights Arsenal and Manchester United.

McAuley scored his fourth league goal of the season against Hull on Monday via the help of goalline technology, rising highest to nod Matt Phillips’ corner home, and he insists that as long as the goals keep on coming he does not mind how easy they are on the eye.

“The delivery from set-pieces from the lads is fantastic,” said the 37-year-old. “We look at things and work out areas to hit.

“If the delivery is right it always gives you a chance to get something on it and we make no apologies for scoring goals in that way.

“It’s always nice to get a goal, especially when it helps us win a game too. I was saying to the ref that the goal was tight and thank goodness for your watch.

“He mentioned that without the technology it probably wouldn’t have been given, so of course I am thankful, but it was a good half-inch over the line.”