Tony Pulis: I take the blame for City loss

Boss Tony Pulis accepted the blame for Albion's opening defeat to Manchester City and admitted he got his team wrong.

Pulis said fielding summer signing Rickie Lambert alongside Saido Berahino in a two-man attack was a mistake.

The error contributed to his side's 3-0 defeat at The Hawthorns last night.

"I take responsibility for the way we set up and the fact we had Saido and Rickie," said Pulis.

"They had done really well and that pulled us away from what we should do and I said afterwards I would take responsibility.

"David Silva was controlling the game and looking really dangerous and Saido had a chance.

"If he'd scored that it would have been a different game.

"I have to look at it and say if I did it again I would probably do it differently.

"The pivotal moment was when I decided to play the two up front instead of an extra man in midfield."

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Defeat subdued a Hawthorns crowd that had been fired up before kick-off by their first sight of record signing Salomon Rondon.

The Venezuela international striker, who was not registered in time to figure last night, was paraded on the pitch before kick-off hours after completing his move from Zenit St Petersburg for an initial fee of £12m.

Rondon said: "I am very happy to be here. This is a new opportunity in my career.

"The club showed a lot of interest in me, that's what is important for a player."

Pulis added: "He's got a fantastic goalscoring record in some of the top leagues in Europe and for his country.

"He's 25 years of age and still to fulfil his full potential.

"We hope he hits the ground running of course but understand it might take him time to settle.

"I'm sure our fans will help him and get behind him.

"But we feel with age on his side and the prices English clubs are asking for their players, it's a deal worth doing."