West Brom boss James Morrison admits to 'apprehension' but reveals delight in 'top performance'

Three points against promotion-hunting Hull were enough to lift the hosts two places and out of the drop zone by a single place and a point.

Morrison's side had put in improved displays against Sheffield United and Southampton, but they were only enough for a point on each occasion, and the former first-team coach admitted he was fearful of his squad's levels prior to the Tigers clash. Morrison left it until the morning of the game to decide his line-up.

"I thought it was a top performance from start to finish," Morrison said.

"I was probably a bit apprehensive going into it being the third game in the week, and whether we could turn it out.

"Southampton put us under a lot of pressure physically and emotionally with the equalising goal at the end. I had to take my time on picking the team, so I named it this morning. I slept on a few things and spoke to a few people, and it turned out to be the right decision. There were some top performances there today."

Morrison opted for two changes in the end, to replace defender Alfie Gilchrist - who so impressed against the Saints - with Nat Phillips to contend with Hull's physical threat if Oli McBurnie.

The other alteration was Josh Maja for Daryl Dike and the former repaid the faith with his first league goal since October 1 - Albion's last away win - and just second of the season. Aune Heggebo and Isaac Price also netted.

"I said to them in the week 'we can control some things, but it's how we deal with the two per cent of that disappointment' and how we react to it," added Morrison.

"We were fighting for every ball, running back, tackling, winning first contacts, and that's what we knew we had to do with McBurnie being good on the second balls. They have been really strong this season, attacking quick from second balls.

"We had some really good link-ups on the sides, balls in the box, people having chances. Another time it could have been five, really. We could have had a penalty as well."

The Hawthorns was booming as supporters responded to a first win in 14 league attempts to lift some of the gloom in a dispiriting campaign.

Morrison's name echoed around the stadium as fans rallied behind the former playing legend as he continues to imprint a marked improvement on performances.

Hull were reduced to 10 men for Charlie Hughes' red card before the break but it had little bearing on the clash.

"I'm happy, obviously," he smiled. "I'm going to enjoy this feeling of winning.

"I think it's been a long time coming, but it just shows that the work that we've been putting in, the lads have took on board what we've been saying and executing to a level that we required."

He added of the players' reaction at full-time: "There were a lot of tired bodies because physically it was a big output, chasing every ball.

"But you could sense the togetherness again growing, and everyone was proud of themselves. There was a lot of noise, so it was a good time."