West Brom continued their impressive run of eight unbeaten matches in the Championship by defeating Preston North End 2-0 at Deepdale, further distancing themselves from the relegation battle. The first goal arrived in the 11th minute when Josh Maja displayed remarkable composure, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Daniel Iversen after a mis‑controlled pass by Isaac Price set up Aune Heggebo, who inadvertently handed the ball to his teammate. Maja’s strike was a powerful, low drive that left the keeper with no chance.
The second and decisive goal came in the 77th minute when substitute Daryl Dike, having entered the field only a few minutes earlier, finished a precise cut‑back from Jayson Molumby with a clinical finish from six yards out, sealing the win for the Baggies. Interim manager James Morrison, whose tenure began with a loss to Oxford, has now overseen an unbeaten spell that starkly contrasts with the tenure of former boss Eric Ramsay, who failed to win any of his eight Championship games in charge.
Morrison’s side now sit five points clear of the drop with three games remaining, although a looming points‑deduction threat still hangs over the club. The match opened with Albion nearly taking an early lead when George Campbell met Callum Styles’ fourth‑minute corner with a powerful header, only to see it blocked amid a crowded penalty area. Nonetheless, the breakthrough came shortly after when Maja struck decisively, sending the ball beyond Iversen after Heggebo’s errant touch allowed the ball to fall to the striker in the box.
Preston’s early hopes were dented further when defender Ben Whiteman suffered an injury while attempting to tackle Isaac Price in the buildup to the goal. Whiteman’s forced exit required Jordan Thompson to come on as an early substitute, disrupting Preston’s defensive shape.
The visitors appeared the more energetic side, with Iversen making a strong save in the 25th minute, blocking a dangerous cross from Price. Preston’s first notable chance arrived around the half‑hour mark when Alfie Devine glanced wide at a well‑delivered cross from Andrew Hughes. The home side’s half‑time adjustment saw Paul Heckingbottom introduce Thierry Small for Andrew Moran, hoping to inject fresh impetus.
The second half began brightly for Preston. Max O'Leary, the Preston goalkeeper, performed an unorthodox juggling save to keep Daniel Jebbison’s close‑range effort out of the net.
In the 56th minute, Brad Potts’ header forced O'Leary to adjust his position, and the ball tipped over the bar after a cross from Hughes. Shortly after, Maja had a chance to double his tally, meeting a low delivery from Styles, but his shot was straight at Iversen from the centre of the box. West Brom’s victory was sealed when Dike, after only seven minutes on the pitch, broke free from Iversen and struck home from six yards, finishing a precise cut‑back from Molumby. In stoppage time, Preston’s Hughes rose above the defence but failed to convert, while Lewis Dobbin headed small’s excellent cross wide, missing an opportunity that could have narrowed the gap.
West Brom held firm to claim a vital three points. Post‑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 strong squad.
We had no right to beat them, but I expected us to compete. The first‑half defeat and the failure to execute our plans were two major disappointments.
Sometimes, if you can't give the players a solution then you're culpable, but we knew what we were facing and still didn't perform." Morrison praised his side’s display, saying: "I thought it was a top performance. The goals came at the right times. The first one came when we started really well.
We earned our reward with solid play and a great finish, then controlled the game without being overstretched. When we defended the box, we defended it really well. I always feel confident with Josh; if he gets a chance, he will score. Daryl’s performances have been excellent.
He’s just been unlucky at times with chances, but his hard work pays off, and I’m delighted with him because he’s an important part of the group." The win not only boosts West Brom’s league standing but also provides a morale lift as they navigate the looming financial penalty. With three matches left, the Baggies will aim to maintain momentum and secure safety, while Preston must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further into the relegation zone.
The match also featured promotional content for Sky Sports and a Super 6 prize of £250,000, emphasizing the broader entertainment context surrounding the fixture.