Mowbray hails Phillips

Phillips: Two-goal hero

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• West Bromwich Albion

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• Kevin Phillips

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West Brom boss Tony Mowbray has paid tribute to the hunger of Kevin Phillips after the striker fired The Baggies to the top of the Championship at Blackpool.

Phillips struck twice late on to inspire West Brom to a 3-1 win over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road after Ben Burgess gave the home side an early lead.

Mowbray was delighted with Phillips' cameo and remains confident the striker will remain at the club next season despite doubts over his contract situation.

"We looked very drained after our defeat at Wembley. I wanted to keep Kevin Phillips back just in case we needed him - and we did," said Mowbray.

"We were playing a team who were well set up defensively and who put a lot of bodies behind the ball after they scored.

Great option

"Having Kevin is a great option. He was up on his feet on the pitch and took the penalty all in a few moments.

"He is showing a desire to get on the field and to get us promoted and provides me with an option to use at certain stages of the game.

"I believe he wants to stay with us and it is up to the powers that be to see if that can be done next season."

Blackpool manager Simon Grayson was left deflated after the defeat feeling his side deserved something from the game.

Devastated

"In the first half, we had the chances but needed to take more than one of them to be really safe.

"You always felt with West Brom's ability to rotate five different strikers in the game that they were never going to be put off by a one-goal margin. Having Kevin Phillips up your sleeve is the sort of bonus any manager wants.

"It is my job to try and lift my team before our next match. I don't believe the players are down but just a bit confused about a strange end to a strange game."