Tony Mowbray does not expect West Bromwich Albion's defeat to Arsenal in the Carling Cup last night will disrupt the momentum of his team. Albion lost 2-0 to the Premiership club after scoring 14 goals in four matches in the Coca-Cola Championship.
"It is up to us to make sure we do not lose momentum," Mowbray said. "But let us put this into perspective. We played Arsenal, one of the best teams around, and that is the yardstick for us. That is where we want to be.
"I thought we matched them in the first half but, no matter how we tried to change things, Arsenal always have a way of dealing with it. They play good football but it was nothing new for me.
"I have been involved in matches for Hibernian against Celtic in Scotland, in front of 60,000 people, and Celtic could hold the ball like Arsenal did here.
"What is important for us is the Championship and making sure we continue to pick up league points."
Mowbray had no criticisms of the award of a penalty for Arsenal in the first half, which seemed harsh, and which proved to be the turning point of the match.
Jeremie Aliadiere, who was fouled by Paul Robinson, scored the penalty and Arsenal were in control. "The penalty hurt us," Mowbray said. "But if the referee said it was a penalty, I will not complain about that."
Darren Carter sustained what appeared to be a hamstring injury and he could be ruled out of Albion's match against Birmingham City, his former club, on Saturday.
"We will have to wait and see on Darren," Mowbray said. "If it is a hamstring, he will miss Birmingham. But it might only have been cramp. We'll see."
