Albion's hit back over Fellaini tweet

West Brom today hit out at "mischief-makers" as they attempted to silence criticism of their Marouane Fellaini tweet.

Albion were left red-faced after Manchester United's Fellaini responded to a cheeky Baggies tweet after just three minutes with a goal at the Hawthorns last night.

But the club insisted again today that the tweet, sent from the club's official account, had been taken out of context.

The Belgium international, who had a poor first season at Old Trafford, netted his side's first equaliser after 48 minutes following his introduction as a half-time substitute.

And that meant that the Baggies' joke backfired after a light-hearted tweet from the club's official account appeared to poke fun at the former Everton man at half-time.

[tweet id="524288822691913728"]

The 26-year-old latched onto Angel Di Maria's pass and fired United level with virtually his first touch of the game. They went on to claim a 2-2 draw.

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard blasted West Brom for the tweet after the game, after warming the bench at the Hawthorns as an unused substitute.

[tweet id="524311900281008128"]

Former Aston Villa and England striker Stan Collymore took to Twitter during the game to voice his opinion that Albion were "classless" in this instance.

[tweet id="524292808912695296"]

Today's statement read: "In response to incorrect and mischievous reporting, we would like to clarify that our initial tweet about Marouane Fellaini was made as the player removed his tracksuit top.

"That was in preparation for his introduction to the game during a period when night-time temperatures were dropping significantly.

"We are extremely disappointed that our tweet was taken out of context by mischief-makers.

"And that's not least on a night when two teams showed such a commitment to strident and attacking football to once more underline the quality and entertainment value of the Barclays Premier League."

Albion officials insisted the tweet was a joke taken out of context, with the club intending to joke about the possibility of Fellaini being naked under his tracksuit.

That statement followed a second tweet last night claiming the original tweet was "not meant as a slur."

[tweet id="524326882460700672"]