West Brom Boost Survival Hopes with 2-0 Victory at Preston

West Brom extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a vital 2-0 win over Preston in the Championship, moving five points clear of the relegation zone. Josh Maja opened the scoring in the 11th minute, showcasing his composure in front of goal, before Daryl Dike sealed the victory with a decisive finish in the 77th minute. The win marks a significant turnaround for West Brom under interim boss James Morrison, who has overseen a dramatic improvement in form since taking charge. Preston, on the other hand, were left to rue a lackluster display, with manager Paul Heckingbottom expressing his disappointment at the team's performance. The visitors dominated the early stages, with George Campbell's header blocked in a crowded penalty area, before Maja struck the opener after Aune Heggebo miscontrolled Isaac Price's pass. Preston's woes were compounded when Ben Whiteman injured himself attempting to tackle Price, leading to an early substitution. West Brom continued to press, with Iversen making a crucial save to deny Price's goal-bound cross in the 25th minute. Preston's first notable chance came when Alfie Devine glanced Andrew Hughes' cross wide, but the hosts struggled to gain momentum. The introduction of Thierry Small at half-time failed to spark a reaction, as West Brom continued to dictate the pace of the game. Maja could have added a second goal, but fired straight at Iversen, before Dike's introduction proved pivotal, as he smashed home Jayson Molumby's cut-back to seal the win. Despite late chances for Preston, West Brom held on for a priceless victory, leaving them well-placed to avoid relegation.