Di Matteo remaining cautious

Di Matteo: Top of the Championship

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Teams

• Scunthorpe United
• West Bromwich Albion

Players

• Robert Koren

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Manager Roberto Di Matteo insists West Brom will not become complacent after moving top of the Championship with a 2-0 win over Scunthorpe.

Roman Bednar's sixth goal in seven games after 13 minutes put Albion in control with Gianni Zuiverloon sealing their fourth successive win four minutes from time.

Scunthorpe's miserable night was then summed up when skipper Cliff Byrne was dismissed for his challenge on Andy Slory two minutes from time.

Newcastle United's 3-0 defeat at Derby County saw the Baggies take over at the top of the table on goal difference but Di Matteo is remaining cautious.

"The table is important at the end of the season not now, he said. "There is no reason to get carried away now.

"I believe that everything will be decided in the last couple of games of the season. I don't think anyone will pull away. There are still so many games to go.

"It is tough and very demanding on the players. They just didn't have any more against Scunthorpe.

"But we are very pleased with the last nine days. We have played four games and we have managed to get away with maximum points. That is excellent for us.

"We didn't expect an easy game against Scunthorpe and they made it hard for us but they didn't quite hurt us.

"The first goal settled us down and fortunately the second killed the game off."

Di Matteo, however, was left disappointed with the reaction of his own Robert Koren after he was angry at being substituted in the 65th minute.

Koren made his disapproval clear by refusing Di Matteo's handshake.

Di Matteo said: "It is about the team and not individuals. It is disappointing and a selfish act as you are disrespecting the player who is coming on."

Adkins reaction

Scunthorpe boss Nigel Adkins, who has now seen his side lose their last two games after putting together a four-match unbeaten run, was pleased with the efforts of his team and hope they will learn from the experience.

Adkins said: "I am very pleased with the players. They have realised how hard they will have to work against a good side.

"It is a level they want to get to and it is a great learning curve for the younger boys.

"I know it is about winning but as long as my players work very, very hard and give the best they can then I will be very, very happy with that.

"No-one would expect Scunthorpe to come to West Brom and give them a game but we gave them a really good game.

"We created a few opportunities and if we had been a bit more clinical who knows what could have happened and we have to take the positives.

"We are pleased with how we are progressing."

Adkins will have to make do without Byrne for two games after his dismissal and he added: "The sending off was very disappointing.

"It was a coming together as the player ran across Cliff. It was very unfortunate and he will get a two-match ban on the back of that."