Kanu can do for astute Baggies

Blackburn Rovers 1 - West Bromwich Albion 1

Gary Megson, the West Bromwich Albion manager, believes he has discovered the secret behind Arsène Wenger's unflappable public demeanour. His Arsenal counterpart can afford to be relaxed, Megson says, if every player in his multitalented squad possesses the same level of technical mastery as West Brom's summer acquisition from Highbury, Nwankwo Kanu.

Gary Megson, the West Bromwich Albion manager, believes he has discovered the secret behind Arsène Wenger's unflappable public demeanour. His Arsenal counterpart can afford to be relaxed, Megson says, if every player in his multitalented squad possesses the same level of technical mastery as West Brom's summer acquisition from Highbury, Nwankwo Kanu.

Amid an opening-day Premiership encounter of admirable endeavour but limited aesthetic appeal, the Nigerian offered a masterclass in the forward's art of holding the ball up and then bringing others into play. He became more underused in North London the longer he stayed, but there seems little chance his new manager will be confining Kanu's appearances to the occasional cameo from the substitutes' bench.

"I thought he was marvellous," Megson said. "His touch is something else and he even beat a defender for pace at one point. Earlier this week I realised why Arsène always looks so relaxed. We were working away in training on some set-pieces and no one could get it right - apart from Kanu. Arsène's got a whole team full of players with the same ability so it's no wonder he's always smiling.

"We don't have that luxury here and that's why I was so pleased to sign him. Never mind how laid-back he looks, he doesn't give the ball away very often. Once my players learn to trust he'll hold it up and not lose it, then they'll start running off him better and, hopefully, we'll create more chances."

The nonchalant artistry of Kanu presented a fascinating contrast with the honest toiling of many of his new team-mates. Megson knows a lack of Premiership quality - especially in his forwards - cost the Midlands side their place in the top division two seasons ago.

If the same fate is to be avoided this time, he needs the likes of Kanu and Jason Koumas - suspended on Saturday - to provide the class, while others retain the unstinting work ethic and defensive strength that makes them such obdurate opponents.

They fully merited their point on Saturday, having led for almost half the game following Neil Clement's deflected free-kick.

In the first half, Megson certainly won the tactical battle, opting away from his customary three central defenders in favour of a conventional 4-4-2 formation.

Graeme Souness, the Blackburn Rovers manager, began with a curious formation in which Vratislav Gresko and Dominic Matteo were deployed in midfield, with Michael Gray on the left of the back three.

Following Tugay Kerimoglu's introduction in the second half as part of a reshuffle, Blackburn were much improved. Craig Short's fearless header provided a merited equaliser 21 minutes from time and at least ensured that Blackburn avoided adding to the 10 League defeats they suffered at Ewood Park last season.

"They don't seem to make them like Shorty any more," Souness said. "He might have got hurt going for that ball, but it never crossed his mind.

"The biggest positive for us is that having been behind we didn't get beaten, because you make it very hard for yourselves that way."

Goals: Clement (32) 0-1; Short (69) 1-1.

Blackburn Rovers (3-5-2): Friedel; Amoruso, Short, Gray; Emerton (Gallagher 84), Matteo, Ferguson, Gresko (Dickov 46), De Pedro (Tugay 46); Stead, Yorke. Substitutes not used: Enckelman (gk), Johansson.

West Bromwich Albion (4-4-2): Hoult; Scimeca, Gaardsoe, Purse, Robinson; Haas, Johnson (Gera 88), Clement (Moore 72), Greening; Kanu, Horsfield (Dobie 72) Substitutes not used: Kuszczak (gk), O'Connor.

Referee: C Foy (Merseyside).

Booked: Matteo (Blackburn).

Man of the match: Kanu.

Attendance: 23,475.