West Brom continued their unbeaten run to eight games with a 2-0 triumph over Preston North End at Deepdale, pushing the Baggies further away from the relegation battle in the Championship. The first goal arrived early when Josh Maja displayed composure inside the box, calmly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Daniel Iversen in the 11th minute.
The second strike came from substitute Daryl Dike, who arrived on the pitch in the second half and finished emphatically in the 77th minute to seal the win. Interim manager James Morrison opened his tenure with a loss to Oxford, but the team has not known defeat since, a stark reversal from the period under former boss Eric Ramsay, who failed to register a single win in his eight Championship outings. This recent success places West Brom five points clear of the danger zone with three matches remaining, although the club still faces the spectre of a possible points deduction.
Preston had an early chance when George Campbell met Callum Styles' fourth‑minute corner with a header that was blocked amid a crowded penalty area. The decisive moment arrived when Maja capitalised on a defensive error: Aune Heggebo mis‑controlled a sharp pass from Isaac Price, allowing Maja to strike the ball cleanly beyond Iversen. In the build‑up, Preston defender Ben Whiteman suffered an injury while attempting to tackle Price, prompting an early substitution for Jordan Thompson. The visitors appeared the more energetic side.
Iversen made a good save in the 25th minute, getting his body in the way of Price's dangerous cross. Preston’s first notable chance came around the half‑hour mark when Alfie Devine glanced wide from an Andrew Hughes delivery.
The home side’s lacklustre display seemed to stem from a sense that there was little at stake beyond pride. At halftime, Paul Heckingbottom introduced Thierry Small for Andrew Moran in an attempt to spark a reaction. The second half began brightly for Preston. Max O'Leary performed an unorthodox juggling save to keep Daniel Jebbison's close‑range effort out of the net.
Six minutes later, Brad Potts headed a Hughes cross towards goal, forcing O'Leary to adjust and tip the ball over the bar. Maja then had a chance to double his tally, meeting a low delivery from Styles but shooting straight at Iversen from the centre of the box.
Dike’s impact was decisive. After only seven minutes on the pitch, he received a cut‑back from Jayson Molumby and hammered the ball past Iversen from six yards out, providing the final blow to Preston’s hopes. In stoppage time, Hughes found himself unmarked close to goal but failed to convert, while Lewis Dobbin headed small's well‑timed cross wide, despite the opportunity appearing relatively easy. West Brom held on for a priceless three points.
Post‑match, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom lamented the performance, calling it "one of the worst of the season" and expressing disappointment at being out‑fought in the first half. He praised West Brom’s quality but admitted his own side failed to execute their game plan, acknowledging a lack of solutions for his players. Morrison, on the other hand, praised his side’s display, highlighting the timing of the goals, the control they exerted, and the defensive solidity when defending the box.
He voiced confidence in Josh Maja’s finishing instincts and lauded Dike’s work ethic, noting that despite occasional bad luck, the striker’s contributions were vital. Beyond the match report, the article reminded readers of the ongoing Super 6 competition, offering a £250,000 prize and free entry until 3 pm on Saturday.
The Sky Sports app and NOW service were also promoted for viewers wishing to watch EFL action. Overall, West Brom’s win not only extends their unbeaten streak but also provides a crucial buffer in the points table, giving the interim manager and his squad a platform to build on as the season draws to its climax.
The combination of early goal‑scoring, effective substitutions, and defensive resilience proved enough to keep the Baggies out of the relegation zone for now, while Preston must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further into danger.