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Was it a simple coincidence the Hawthorns pitch looked somewhat uneven and overgrown for the visit of Arsenal - the top flight's finest passing team?

Conspiracy theorists within the West Bromwich Albion camp believe it was all part of Tony Pulis' master-plan and designed to harness an advantage before a ball was even kicked.

And well they might, because Pulis has form in this regard.

He regularly ordered Stoke City's groundsmen to leave the field of play a little longer on top whenever Arsenal visited the Britannia Stadium.

It worked wonders on many occasions for Pulis and Stoke, just as it did for the Welshman and West Brom on Saturday.

Pulis almost confessed as much when asked post-match what was the driving force behind his incredible managerial home record against the Gunners.

"We've not had that roll of the ball at home in games, but we had that and we needed it," Pulis said, suggesting his side finally had the rub of the green.

But was this judgement rather than luck at work.

Santi Cazorla looked back at the ground - wishing it would swallow him up - after slipping in the act of striking his late penalty.

The grand plan pitched to perfection once more.

PICTURES - West Brom v Arsenal: Action from The Hawthorns

It did, however, nearly backfire, when the irrepressible James McClean lost his footing - in the same penalty area as Cazorla - when attempting to reach a ball bound for Arsenal substitute Joel Campbell.

With the goal gaping, and Olivier Giroud lurking intently for a pull-back or rebound, Campbell sliced his shot horribly to the extent it neither troubled Boaz Myhill in the Albion goal nor presented an opening for his French colleague.

Whether Cazorla or McClean would have slipped were the grass a touch more manicured, we'll never know.

There are supposed to be Premier League guidelines over the length of grass on top flight pitches to ensure no team can seek a sneaky advantage.

Maybe the officials forgot to check the height of the Hawthorns turf on Saturday.