Analysis: Victory over Leeds has restored faith in Darren Moore

This was a statement victory over a side that started the weekend top of the Championship, by a Baggies side woefully out of form.

For Darren Moore, it was a tactical victory over one of the world's most celebrated managers, and one that restored faith in him among the fanbase following his first real blip in the dugout.

If you had seen the scoreline without watching the match, you could be forgiven for thinking this was another case of Moore's high-risk, high-reward football paying off.

But it was far from that. This was not a 4-1 game, 2-0 would have been a fairer reflection of the evening.

Because this was by far their most complete performance of the season from back to front, and for the first time in a long while, Albion looked like a cohesive unit capable of grinding out the necessary results to win promotion.

Moore changed his approach to one that played the percentages rather than gambled at the back.

Leeds had nearly three quarters of possession, and yet it was Marcelo Bielsa's team who were rushed into mistakes.

Albion defended resolutely, before countering at speed, but they also won the ball high up several times, epitomised best by Matt Phillips's superb solo goal.

Moore finally switched to a back four, and those defenders reacted as if a huge weight had been lifted off their shoulders.

It was the tactical move many had been crying out for and playing 4-3-3 allowed him to him to solidify the back line, enjoy an extra body in midfield, and press Bielsa's back three ferociously.

But his masterstroke was one few would have predicted. The decision to bring Hal Robson-Kanu in for his second league start of the season proved inspired.

The striker enjoyed one of his best games in blue and white, and gave Albion a crucial presence up front.

Instead of playing themselves into trouble like they have done countless times this season, Craig Dawson and Ahmed Hegazi simply clipped the ball up to Robson-Kanu, who in turn, battled for everything.

His tenacity was infectious, and the rest of the team followed suit.

This was the polar opposite to the anaemic performance at Hull, and it was the perfect tonic for that poison.

On Friday, Moore had exuded passion in his pre-match press conference. On Saturday, he was practically on the pitch, a good two feet outside of his technical area, staring at the game intensely.

His team matched that passion, and matched that intensity.

Whereas last week, it looked like they had lost confidence in their system, this week, they weren't just singing from the same hymn sheet, they were belting out the words with huge grins on their faces.

This was easily the most complete performance of the season. But it might even be the best performance from an Albion team for longer than that.

Those 1-0 wins under Moore at the end of the last campaign against Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle may have been against better sides than Leeds, but they were effectively free hits, games Albion weren't supposed to win.

On Saturday, the heat was on both the team and Moore following a run of three defeats in four.

Lose to Leeds, as many expected them to, and pressure would have mounted.

This win was important for the long-term health of the club because it restored faith in Moore and his coaching staff, and answered that nagging question at the back of many people's minds.

Supporters have been quick to question their new head coach this season, perhaps because of his inexperience in the dugout.

With so few games under his managerial belt, there is no back catalogue to fall on, no previous success to reassure.

The concern was that Moore and his coaching team would be too stubborn or too proud to change, too blind to the problems. But on Saturday, he proved he wasn't.

Going direct can suit this team. Not having the ball can suit this team.

They had 28 per cent possession on Saturday, and yet, they were the side which controlled the game.

There are still footballers in there, like Harvey Barnes and James Morrison, but asking them to be the playmakers instead of the defenders is a step in the right direction.

Albion used the ball efficiently and quickly throughout. The back four was solid.

The midfield three complemented each other. Jake Livermore would snap into a tackle, Morrison would pass forward to the front men, Phillips would drive forward at pace.

Moving him inside gave Albion a dynamism too often lacking this season.

The front three also complemented each other. Robson-Kanu's physical presence was backed up by Jay Rodriguez's work ethic and Barnes's quality on the ball.

Leeds were poor, and wasted too many opportunities from both the edge of the area and when they got in behind with their overloads that Bielsa works on.

But the Baggies were brilliant. There is no way this approach or formation should be discarded now.

Who knows, in a dozen games, they may need to change again, just like they needed to ditch the 3-4-1-2 this time around.

There will be more tests for Albion's fledgling head coach this season.

But for now, he has risen to the first big on-pitch challenge of his career. Crucially, his players have followed suit.

Another hurdle overcome. Another feather in his cap.