West Brom Moves Further Away from Relegation Zone with 2-0 Win at Preston

West Brom extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a crucial 2-0 victory over Preston in the Championship at Deepdale, moving them five points clear of the relegation zone. Josh Maja opened the scoring in the 11th minute, showcasing his composure in front of goal, while Daryl Dike sealed the win with a decisive finish in the 77th minute. The Baggies' interim boss James Morrison has overseen a significant improvement in the team's fortunes since taking charge, with this latest success marking a stark contrast to the reign of former manager Eric Ramsay. The visitors dominated the early stages, with George Campbell's header blocked in a crowded penalty area, before Maja emphatically struck the ball beyond Daniel Iversen. Preston's woes were compounded when Ben Whiteman injured himself attempting to tackle Isaac Price, leading to an early substitution. The hosts struggled to create clear chances, with Alfie Devine glancing Andrew Hughes' cross wide from a good position. Paul Heckingbottom's introduction of Thierry Small at half-time failed to spark a reaction from his players, as West Brom continued to control the game. Brad Potts' goalbound header forced Max O'Leary to tip the ball over the bar, but Maja could have had his second goal soon after, firing straight at Iversen. Dike's arrival off the bench proved decisive, as he smashed past Iversen from six yards to secure the win. Despite late chances for Preston, West Brom held out for a vital victory, leaving them five points clear of danger with three games to play.