West Brom extended their unbeaten run to eight games with a decisive 2-0 victory over Preston in the Championship at Deepdale, further distancing themselves from the relegation threat. Josh Maja's composed finish in the 11th minute gave the Baggies an early lead, and Daryl Dike sealed the win with a powerful strike in the 77th minute.
This success leaves West Brom five points clear of the danger zone with three games remaining, although the looming threat of a points deduction still hangs over them. The visitors dominated the match, with Preston's lackluster display possibly attributed to having nothing but pride to play for.
Despite a brief resurgence from the hosts after the interval, West Brom's solid performance ensured they claimed a vital three points. The win marks a significant turnaround under interim boss James Morrison, whose tenure began with a defeat to Oxford but has since seen the team go unbeaten.
In contrast, former manager Eric Ramsay's reign was marked by a winless streak in his eight Championship matches in charge. West Brom's victory was marred by Preston's injury woes, including Ben Whiteman's early exit due to a self-inflicted injury while attempting to tackle Isaac Price. The Baggies' bright start almost yielded an early goal when George Campbell's header was blocked in a crowded penalty area, but Maja soon broke the deadlock.
Preston's first notable chance came when Alfie Devine glanced Andrew Hughes' cross wide, and despite a half-time substitution, the hosts struggled to mount a significant challenge. The introduction of Thierry Small for Andrew Moran at the break was an attempt by Paul Heckingbottom to spark a reaction from his team, but it was West Brom who continued to dictate the pace of the game. Brad Potts' goalbound header forced Max O'Leary into a spectacular save, and shortly after, Maja could have doubled his tally but fired straight at Daniel Iversen.
However, Dike's introduction proved pivotal, as he smashed home Jayson Molumby's cut-back to seal the win. Preston's late attempts to reduce the deficit were in vain, with Hughes ballooning over from close range and Lewis Dobbin heading wide Thierry Small's excellent cross. The victory marks a significant step towards securing West Brom's Championship status, and James Morrison praised his team's performance, highlighting the importance of the goals and the team's defensive solidity.
In contrast, Paul Heckingbottom expressed his disappointment with Preston's display, citing a lack of competitiveness and failure to execute their game plan.