West Brom continued their unbeaten run, now stretching to eight matches, by securing a 2-0 triumph over Preston at Deepdale, further distancing themselves from the relegation battle in the Championship. The first goal arrived in the 11th minute when Josh Maja displayed remarkable composure, finding the back of the net to give the Baggies an early lead. Later, substitute Daryl Dike added a decisive strike in the 77th minute, sealing the win and reinforcing the team's momentum.
Interim manager James Morrison began his tenure with a loss to Oxford, but the side has not tasted defeat since, a stark turnaround compared to former boss Eric Ramsay, who failed to win any of his eight league games in charge. This resurgence has lifted West Brom five points clear of the danger zone with three fixtures remaining, although a potential points deduction still looms over the club. Preston nearly opened the scoring when George Campbell met Callum Styles' fourth‑minute corner with a header that was blocked amid a crowded penalty area. However, the breakthrough came shortly after when Maja expertly volleyed the ball beyond goalkeeper Daniel Iversen after Aune Heggebo mis‑controlled a sharp pass from Isaac Price inside the box.
The goal was further highlighted by an unfortunate incident: Ben Whiteman suffered an injury while attempting to tackle Price in the buildup, leading to early substitution for Jordan Thompson. The visitors entered the match with a lot at stake and appeared the more energetic side. Iversen made a strong save in the 25th minute, denying Price a dangerous cross that seemed destined for the net. Preston's first notable chance arrived around the half‑hour mark when Alfie Devine glanced wide from an appealing cross by Andrew Hughes.
The North End side seemed listless, perhaps because the only thing on the line was pride. In response, Paul Heckingbottom introduced Thierry Small for Andrew Moran at halftime, hoping to spark a reaction.
The second half began brightly for Preston. Max O'Leary performed an unconventional juggling save, deflecting Daniel Jebbison's improvised close‑range effort away from danger. Six minutes later, Brad Potts' header forced O'Leary to adjust his position, and the ball tipped over the bar after Hughes delivered a cross to the back post.
Shortly after, Maja had a chance to double his tally, meeting Styles' low delivery but firing straight at Iversen from the edge of the box. West Brom's decisive moment arrived when Dike, having been on the pitch for just seven minutes, surged past Iversen from six yards out, finishing a cut‑back from Jayson Molumby. The goal cemented the Baggies' control of the match. In stoppage time, Preston's Hughes rose above the defence but failed to convert, while Lewis Dobbin headed Small's excellent cross wide, despite the opportunity appearing relatively straightforward.
West Brom held on for a valuable three points. After the match, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed his disappointment: "Really disappointing today. One of the worst performances of the season. If you get outfought like that in the first half, that cannot happen.
You can lose, but not like that. I'm not taking anything away from West Brom – they have good players and a solid squad. We had no right to beat them, but I expected us to turn up and compete.
One of the two disappointments was being outfought in the first half and not executing what we prepared for. Sometimes, if you can't give the players a solution then you're culpable, but we knew what we were going to face and for some reason we didn't do well." Morrison, on the other hand, praised his side: "I thought it was a top performance.
The goals came at the right times. The first one came when we started really well.
We got our rewards with good play and a great finish, then we controlled the game without being overstretched. When we had to defend the box, we defended it really well. I always feel confident with Josh – if he gets a chance, he will score – and Daryl's performances have been really good.
He's just been unlucky at times with chances, but that tops his hard work, so I'm delighted with him because he's an important part of the group." The win not only extends West Brom's unbeaten streak but also provides a psychological lift as the season draws to a close. With the spectre of a points deduction still hanging over the club, every victory becomes crucial in securing safety. Meanwhile, Preston must regroup quickly, addressing the defensive lapses and lack of cutting edge that saw them fall 2-0 at home. The upcoming fixtures will test both teams' resolve: West Brom will aim to maintain their momentum and push further away from the relegation zone, while Preston will look to bounce back and reclaim confidence after a disappointing display.
For fans eager to follow the action, the Sky Sports app offers live coverage, and the EFL can be streamed via NOW. Additionally, a £250,000 prize pool is available through the Super 6 competition, with entries accepted until 3 pm on Saturday, providing an extra incentive for supporters to stay engaged with the league.