West Brom extended their unbeaten run 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, as Josh Maja demonstrated composure beyond his years, finding the back of the net in the 11th minute.
His strike came after a mis‑controlled pass from Isaac Price, which allowed Aune Heggebo to inadvertently set up Maja in a crowded penalty area. The second, and decisive, goal was added by substitute Daryl Dike, who made his impact felt in the 77th minute with a clinical finish following a clever cut‑back from Jayson Molumby. Interim manager James Morrison has overseen a dramatic turnaround since taking charge. After an opening loss to Oxford, his side has gone unbeaten, a stark contrast to the tenure of former boss Eric Ramsay, who failed to secure a single win in eight Championship fixtures.
This resurgence has propelled West Brom five points clear of the danger zone with three games remaining, although the club still faces the looming prospect of a points deduction that could threaten their safety. The match began with Albion almost taking an early lead when George Campbell met Callum Styles' fourth‑minute corner with a powerful header that was blocked amid a congested penalty box.
Nevertheless, it was Maja who eventually broke the deadlock, blasting the ball past Preston goalkeeper Daniel Iversen after a defensive lapse saw Heggebo lose possession of a pass intended for Isaac Price. The goal was further highlighted by the unfortunate injury to Preston defender Ben Whiteman, who suffered a knock while attempting to tackle Price in the build‑up, forcing an early substitution for Jordan Thompson. Preston, aware of the stakes, appeared the more energetic side in the opening stages.
Iversen made a notable save in the 25th minute, denying Price a dangerous cross that seemed destined for the net. Their first genuine chance materialised around the half‑hour mark when Alfie Devine glanced wide from an attractive cross delivered by Andrew Hughes. However, the North End side struggled to create clear-cut opportunities, perhaps reflecting a lack of urgency beyond preserving pride.
At the break, Paul Heckingbottom made a tactical adjustment, introducing Thierry Small for Andrew Moran in an attempt to inject fresh impetus. The second half began brightly for Preston, with Max O'Leary showcasing quick reflexes as he juggled an improvised close‑range effort from Daniel Jebbison, keeping the ball safe in a crowded box.
In the 56th minute, Brad Potts' headed attempt forced O'Leary to adjust his position, resulting in the ball being tipped over the bar after a cross from Hughes. West Brom continued to threaten. Maja had a chance to double his tally when he met another low delivery from Styles, but his shot was straight at Iversen from the centre of the area.
The breakthrough finally came when Dike, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes, surged past Iversen from six yards out, converting Molumby's cut‑back with a powerful finish that sealed the win. Preston's hopes of a comeback were further dented in stoppage time when Hughes rose above the defence for a close‑range effort that went over the bar, and Lewis Dobbin headed small's excellent cross wide, missing what appeared to be a straightforward opportunity. West Brom held firm, earning a vital three points that will be crucial as the season draws to a close. 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 get beat but not like that. I'm not taking anything away from West Brom. They've got good players, a good squad and we had no right to beat them but I expected us to turn up and compete. One of the two disappointments was the fact we were outfought in the first half and the fact that everything we prepared for, we didn't execute.
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 team's performance: "I thought it was a top performance. The goals came at the right times in the end. The first one was when we started really well. We got our rewards with a good bit of play and a great finish and then we controlled the game really well without being overstretched.
When we had to defend the box, we defended it really well. I always feel confident with Josh that 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 that he's had 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 provides a morale boost but also adds crucial points in a season where every match can dictate survival.
With three games left, West Brom will aim to maintain their momentum, while Preston must regroup quickly to avoid slipping further into the relegation zone. The looming points deduction remains a wildcard for the Baggies, but the current form suggests they have the resilience to navigate the final stretch. For fans wanting to stay updated, the Sky Sports app offers live coverage, and the EFL can be watched on Sky with NOW. Additionally, a £250,000 Super 6 prize is available for free entry, with entries closing at 3 pm on Saturday.