A late flurry of goals saw West Brom come from behind to beat a Blackpool side who deserved so much more from the game.
The Seasiders looked set to pull off another massive victory at Bloomfield Road this season following a first-half header from Ben Burgess but an 81st minute penalty from Kevin Phillips changed the game.
The equaliser led to two more goals inside the last ten minutes to give the visitors a flattering scoreline.
Simon Grayson opted to keep faith with the players who picked up a point against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. This meant that Ben Burgess continued to partner Stephen McPhee in attack, while Keith Southern made his first team return from the substitutes bench.
Wes Hoolahan started the game on the right side of midfield with Gary Taylor-Fletcher operating down the left flank.
It was a bright opening from both sides but it was the visitors who were first to have an attempt at goal. A Chris Brunt free-kick met the head of Paul Robinson but his header flew wide of Paul Rachubka's left-hand post.
The Seasiders first real chance came in the 12th minute on the back of a Stephen Crainey free-kick. The ball from Crainey found Ben Burgess at the far post who watched his powerful header bounce back down off the bar. Wes Hoolahan followed up with a strike after the ball was fortuitously headed back to him by an Albion player, but his effort deflected out for a corner.
It was a positive start from Pool with West Brom looking to hit them on the counter-attack. Ishmael Miller looked to make the most of an upfield ball that fell to him but Stephen Crainey just did enough to counter the threat of the former Manchester City man.
The Baggies slowly began to pick up the pace a bit as they looked to get a tighter grip on the game. Robert Koren scooted into the box holding off the challenge of Wes Hoolahan but Ian Evatt was there to clear his attempted cross.
Chris Brunt was next to try his luck for the Baggies with a speculative lob on the half volley but it dipped too late and flew over the bar.
Great pressing from Michael Flynn led to the Seasiders next threat at goal. His persistence to win the ball from Paul Robinson allowed Wes Hoolahan to put through Stephen McPhee but he dragged his strike wide of the right-hand post.
Albion were then forced into an early substitution as Martin Albrechtsen left the field in the 24th minute to be replaced by Leon Barnett.
Ishmael Miller continued to pose the main threat for West Brom as he flashed his cross-come-shot across the goalmouth. Despite the constant threat of Miller, it was the Seasiders who took the lead. A free-kick from Stephen Crainey was headed in by BEN BURGESS to give Pool the lead (35).
BLACKPOOL 1 WEST BROM 0
The Seasiders were quick to try and find a second as the Baggies appeared rattled. Stephen McPhee just couldn't find his way past the outcoming Dean Kiely before a great turn from Kaspars Gorkss in the box saw him flash an effort just wide of the post. A goalmouth scramble later ensued with Ben Burgess seeing another header fall wide.
Pool were really turning up the heat on their opponents as one or two attempts at goal from range continued to keep Dean Kiely on his toes with six minutes to the interval.
HALF-TIME SCORE - BLACKPOOL 1 WEST BROM 0
The second-half started with West Brom making a change as James Morrison came on to replace Pele in midfield.
Michael Flynn had the Seasiders first chance of the second-half after Stephen McPhee burst down the right but his strike went wide. McPhee then had a go of his own but his effort was well saved by Albion keeper Dean Kiely. Gary Taylor-Fletcher then saw a penalty appeal waved away after he went toppling over Neil Clement.
Ian Evatt took time out of the game to receive some treatment but his return to the field proved incisive, as he produced a great block tackle to prevent Luke Moore from slotting the ball home.
In an attempt to get back into the game Tony Mowbray introduced Kevin Phillips as he opted to go with three strikers up front for the final 24 minutes.
As the Baggies pushed forward, Wes Hoolahan hit them on the counter attack. The Irishman threaded the ball through to Ben Burgess on the left who in turn crossed for Gary Taylor-Fletcher, but his header went straight into the arms of Dean Kiely.
A shot from Stephen McPhee and a later touch of cramp proved to be his final moments of the night as Paul Dickov came on for the last fifteen minutes.
On 80 minutes, West Brom were given a penalty after Stephen Crainey was adjudjed to have brought down Carl Hoefkens in the area. KEVIN PHILLIPS stepped up to equalise with the help of the post (81).
BLACKPOOL 1 WEST BROM 1
The goal seemed to lift Albion and within two minutes they were in front. Ishmael Miller went down the right hand side before putting the ball back across goal from the by-line for KEVIN PHILLIPS to tap in.
BLACKPOOL 1 WEST BROM 2
The turnaround prompted Simon Grayson to bring on Keith Southern and Grant Holt with Michael Flynn and Ben Burgess leaving the field.
Despite the changes, West Brom sealed the game on the break through ISHMAEL MILLER. Miller, being watched by former Manchester City teammate and England international Micah Richards, turned inside two Pool defenders and curled a great strike into the top corner (87).
BLACKPOOL 1 WEST BROM 3
Jonathan Greening and Kevin Phillips had late chances to add to the score but in the end the Baggies kept hold of the score margin to go top of the Championship on a night where Pool deserved so much more.
FULL TIME SCORE - BLACKPOOL 1 WEST BROM 3
