West Brom extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a 2-0 win over Preston in the Championship, easing their relegation concerns. Josh Maja's composed finish in the 11th minute gave the visitors the lead, before Daryl Dike sealed the victory with a decisive strike in the 77th minute. The win leaves West Brom five points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining, although a potential points deduction still looms. The Baggies dominated the early stages, with George Campbell's header blocked in a crowded penalty area.
Maja then capitalized on Aune Heggebo's miscontrol to score the opener. Preston's woes deepened when Ben Whiteman injured himself attempting to tackle Isaac Price, leading to an early substitution.
The hosts' first notable chance came when Alfie Devine glanced Andrew Hughes' cross wide. After the interval, Paul Heckingbottom introduced Thierry Small in an attempt to spark a reaction from his team.
Despite a brighter start to the second half, Preston's efforts were ultimately in vain as Dike's late goal ensured a priceless win for West Brom. In the post-match reaction, Preston's Paul Heckingbottom expressed disappointment with his team's performance, stating it was one of the worst of the season. In contrast, West Brom's James Morrison praised his team's performance, highlighting the importance of the goals and the team's ability to control the game.