West Brom Secure Crucial Win Over Preston to Bolster Relegation Hopes

West Brom extended their unbeaten run to eight matches with a decisive 2-0 victory over Preston in the Championship, further distancing themselves from the relegation zone. Josh Maja's composed finish in the 11th minute set the tone, before Daryl Dike sealed the win with a clinical strike in the 77th minute. The Baggies' interim manager James Morrison has overseen a significant turnaround since taking charge, with the team now five points clear of danger with three games remaining. Despite the threat of a potential points deduction looming, West Brom's latest success has bolstered their hopes of avoiding relegation. The match saw Preston struggle to gain momentum, with their first notable chance coming in the 30th minute when Alfie Devine glanced a cross wide. The introduction of Thierry Small at half-time failed to spark a significant reaction from the hosts, and West Brom's win was capped off by Dike's late goal. Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed disappointment with his team's performance, citing a lack of competitiveness in the first half, while Morrison praised his team's controlled display and the clinical finishing of Maja and Dike.