West Bromwich Albion extended their unbeaten streak to eight matches with a convincing 2-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale, further distancing themselves from the relegation battle in the Championship. The first goal arrived early, when striker Josh Maja displayed poise and precision in the 11th minute, calmly finishing past goalkeeper Daniel Iversen after a mis‑controlled pass by Isaac Price set up a chaotic situation in the box. The second strike came in the 77th minute when substitute Daryl Dike, who had only been on the pitch for a short spell, tapped in a low finish from a cut‑back by Jayson Molumby, sealing the victory for the Baggies.
Interim manager James Morrison, who began his tenure with a loss to Oxford United, has now overseen a run of matches without defeat, a stark contrast to the previous caretaker Eric Ramsay, whose eight Championship games in charge produced no wins. Morrison’s impact has been evident in the team’s improved organization, defensive solidity, and attacking fluidity, all of which were on display at Deepdale. The win pushes West Brom five points clear of the danger zone with three games remaining, though the club still faces the looming prospect of a points deduction that could threaten their season objectives. The match opened with an early chance for Preston when George Campbell met Callum Styles’ fourth‑minute corner with a powerful header that was blocked amid a crowded penalty area.
However, the home side soon took the lead when Maja capitalised on a defensive lapse: Aune Heggebo mis‑controlled a sharp pass from Isaac Price, allowing Maja to strike the ball cleanly beyond Iversen. The goal was a turning point, as Preston’s Ben Whiteman suffered an injury while attempting a tackle on Price in the buildup, forcing an early substitution for the visitors. Preston tried to respond, with Iversen making a solid save in the 25th minute to deflect a dangerous cross from Price. Their first notable opportunity came around the half‑hour mark when Alfie Devine glanced wide at a well‑timed cross from Andrew Hughes.
The North End side appeared sluggish, perhaps reflecting the lack of stakes beyond pride, while West Brom’s James Morrison made a tactical change at halftime, introducing Thierry Small for Andrew Moran in an effort to inject energy and spark a reaction. The second half began with Preston showing more intent. Max O'Leary, the Preston goalkeeper, performed an unorthodox save by juggling Daniel Jebbison’s close‑range effort, keeping the ball out of the net despite heavy pressure. Six minutes later, Brad Potts headed a goal‑bound ball that forced O'Leary to adjust his position, ultimately tipping the ball over the bar as he attempted to intercept a cross from Hughes.
Maja had a chance to double the lead shortly after, meeting a low delivery from Styles, but his shot was straight at Iversen from the centre of the box. Preston’s brief respite vanished when Dike, after only seven minutes on the field, broke free from Iversen and slotted home from six yards out, finishing a cut‑back by Molumby with composure.
The goal underscored the depth of West Brom’s squad and the effectiveness of Morrison’s substitution strategy. In stoppage time, Preston’s Hughes rose high in the box but failed to convert, while Lewis Dobbin headed wide from a cross by Small that appeared to be an easy scoring opportunity.
West Brom held firm to preserve a valuable three points, a result that could prove decisive in the final weeks of the season. Post‑match, Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom expressed his disappointment, labeling the performance as one of the worst of the season and lamenting the team’s inability to compete in the first half. He acknowledged West Brom’s quality and admitted that his side failed to execute their game plan, despite knowing what was required. Morrison, on the other hand, praised his side’s display, highlighting the timing of the goals, the disciplined defensive work, and the confidence he has in players like Maja and Dike.
He noted that Dike’s effort, while unlucky at times, reflected hard work and importance to the squad. Beyond the match, the fixture was part of Sky Sports’ broader coverage, with promotional reminders to download the Sky Sports app and watch EFL on Sky via NOW. Additionally, a Super 6 competition offering a £250,000 prize was advertised, encouraging fans to enter before the 3 pm Saturday deadline. Overall, West Brom’s victory not only provided three points but also reinforced the positive trajectory under Morrison’s interim leadership.
Their ability to maintain defensive resilience while capitalising on key moments will be crucial as they aim to secure safety and perhaps push for a higher finish, while Preston must regroup and address the shortcomings highlighted by their manager to avoid slipping further into the relegation zone.