BAGGIES' TOP RANK DISPLAY; Can't be better - Di Matteo: WEST BROM 4 Thomas 3 mins, Brunt 12 mins Carey og 47 mins, Cox 48 min BRISTOL CITY 1 Hartley 83 mins.

From CHRIS LEPKOWSKI at The Hawthorns ROBERTO Di Matteo watched ROBERTO Di Matteo watched his West Bromwich Albion side record another emphatic victory before jokingly telling fans not to expect it every week.

The Baggies, scorers of 11 goals in three games - nine in their last two Hawthorns games - returned back to the top of the Championship.

Albion have scored more than any other side with the best goal difference, but Di Matteo is keen to maintain some perspective on their progress.

Their victory came thanks to goals by Jerome Thomas, Chris Brunt, a Louis Carey own-goal and Simon Cox, with Paul Hartley grabbing a late consolation for the visitors.

Di Matteo was delighted with his side's display, coming on the back of Albion's 5-0 win against Watford in their last Hawthorns fixture and the 2-1 victory at Leicester a fortnight ago.

"It was an excellent performance," said Di Matteo.

"We started off where we finished before the international break. We had to be strong to beat a very good Bristol City side.

"But Albion fans - it won't happen every time so please don't get used to it!

"We can't get any better than being top of the table. We are doing well, better than you could have expected us to be given that we have a young squad and don't have Ishmael Miller or James Morrison, who are both very big players for us."

Di Matteo felt that Louis Carey's owngoal was the most important of the afternoon.

The City defender turned in Simon Cox's shot in the opening minute of the second half.

Explosive "Getting an early goal is always part of the game plan because it settles the nerves," added Di Matteo. "To get two was pleasing but at 2-0, as anyone will tell you, the next goal is vital so it was good to score the third."

Itwas an explosive start, with both sides going close before three minutes had elapsed.

Graham Dorrans set Luke Moore on his way inside the opening 90 seconds. The Albion striker found himself free of his marker but slammed his shot into the side netting.

Within a minute Bristol Citywere pushing Albion back. Nicky Maynard broke and was met by Scott Carson, who was caught between claiming the ball and making a rushed clearance.Maynard got the cross over to Cole Skuse. His volley was heading goalbound only for Gianni Zuiverloon to slam the ball clear.

Seconds later Albion finally did open the scoring. Graham Dorrans broke swiftly and released the ball to Jerome Thomas, who cut inside and lashed in a right-footed shot to beat Dean Gerken.

The drama didn't end there with Carson being called into action in the fifth minute when Skuse's free-kick was headed towards the top corner by Louis Carey. Carson just about reached it, tipping the ball over the bar, the first of several outstanding saves.

On 12 minutes Albion doubled their lead. Graham Dorrans' 40-yard ball was collected brilliantly by Chris Brunt, who got free of his marker, slipped the ball around Gerken and planted it into the empty net.

Albion could have scored a third 12 minutes later. Brunt's free-kick fell to a completely unmarked Graham Dorrans. He smashed his shot wide.

At the other end Bristol went close. They were awarded a free-kick some 20 yards out following a clumsy challenge by Jonas Olsson. Paul Hartley curled his free-kick wide. His time was yet to come.

The visitors were forced into a change early on with Gavin Williams replacing Jamie McAllister. Albion too had to make a substitution - Joe Mattock was stretchered off with a foot injury following a collision with Danny Haynes. Marek Cech came on for the stricken Albion leftback.

City found themselves in deeper trouble within a minute of the second-half restarting.

Zuiverloon played in Simon Cox, who drove in a low shot. The ball was helped in by Louis Carey, who was to be credited with the final touch, despite Cox's celebrations.

If there was any question over the scorer of Albion's third then there could be no doubt over the fourth, scored in the 48th minute. Jerome Thomas' fizzed in a cross from the left for Cox to bury past the unfortunate Gerken from just six yards.

Brunt went close in the 58th minute when he was played in by Marek Cech. His left-footed shot was curling away from Gerken but the visiting goalkeeper still managed to get a touch to deflect it away. In the 65th minute itwas the excellent Zuiverloon who was presented with space by Bristol's increasingly generous defence.

The Dutch defender could have tested the keeper himself but opted to play in Cox,whose shot flashed across the face of goal and was deflected away.

Moore raced onto Carson's long ball in the 72nd and appeared to take the ball around Gerken with his arm. Referee Mike Oliver blew for a foul straight away. Brunt went close three minutes later when he cut inside Sno and blasted a low shot, which asked further questions of Gerken's agility.

Bristol's plight was only marginally improved when Paul Hartley grabbed the best goal of the game, in the 83rd minute. The City midfielder curled a beautiful free-kick into the corner from 25-yards.

ALBION (4-4-2): Carson; Zuiverloon, Meite, Olsson, Mattock; Brunt, Jara, Dorrans, Thomas; Moore, Cox. Subs: Kiely (gk), Mulumbu, Koren, Cech, Wood, Martis, Teixeira.

CITY (3-5-2): Gerken; Carey, McCombe, Nyatanga; Skuse, Elliott, Sno, Hartley, McAllister (Williams 17); Maynard, Haynes. Subs: Basso (gk), Fontaine, Johnson, Clarkson, Williams, Sproule, Saborio.

STAR MAN: Brunt ATTENDANCE: 23,444

CAPTION(S):

TAKE THAT: Jerome Thomas puts Albion in front ROLLING HOME: Chris Brunt increases the Baggies' lead SIMON SAYS: Albion forward Simon Cox celebrates his quick-fire start to the second half CAP: Joe Mattock tangles with Gavin Williams SNO WAY: Gonzalo Jara tackles Evander Sno