West Bromwich Albion Triumphs Over Preston North End 3-1 in Full-Time Championship Clash
Managerless West Bromwich Albion has surged back into the Championship’s top six, courtesy of a stellar two-goal performance from Josh Maja that secured victory over Preston North End.
In a scene reminiscent of their most potent days, the Baggies unleashed a barrage of attacking football in the first half despite the upheaval following the Christmas Eve exit of Carlos Corberan.
Maja, who had previously struggled with just two goals at home from ten appearances this season, illuminated The Hawthorns with two decisive strikes flanking Callum Styles’ commendable first goal as a summer signing.
Though Ryan Ledson ignited faint hopes for North End with a goal in the 70th minute, it wasn’t enough to salvage a positive result for Chris Brunt and his three-man caretaker management team, who were seeking more than just the one point they managed in their first two encounters.
Meanwhile, Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston, once buoyed by two consecutive home victories over Christmas, now languish in 16th place after enduring their sixth away defeat of the season.
After a dismal start where they could manage just two goals in their opening seven home fixtures, Albion has now found their attacking rhythm, racking up 11 goals in their last five matches.
The scoring spree kicked off in the 18th minute when Mikey Johnston, fresh off the back of his own recent brilliance, cut inside from the left flank. Instead of taking the shot himself with a curling right-footer, he deceived the North End defense and opted to cross, with the ball deflecting back into Maja’s path for a thunderous left-footed finish.
Albion doubled their lead in the 35th minute as Johnston’s low corner appeared to have been mis-hit, but Callum Styles smartly let the ball run to redirect it with a low drive into the crowded box that snaked its way into the bottom left corner.
Less than five minutes later, Maja was on hand again, converting from close range following a superb cross from Darnell Furlong, marking his momentous 12th goal of the season and solidifying his position as the Championship’s second highest scorer, just three goals shy of Norwich’s Borja Sainz.
By the time Ledson found the net for Preston, it was too little, too late. The Baggies celebrated a hard-fought victory, only their fourth win in 19 outings, yet their third consecutive triumph at home.
Who’s next?
Looking ahead, Albion prepares for a brace of challenging away fixtures over the next two Saturdays.
Their first stop is at Swansea for a lunchtime kickoff this weekend, followed by an FA Cup third-round clash with Bournemouth set for January 11.
On the other end, Preston gears up for two crucial home matches against Oxford United and League One side Charlton Athletic, both scheduled for regular Saturday afternoons.
‘There were a lot of tired old legs out there’ – reaction
West Bromwich Albion’s joint caretaker boss Chris Brunt shared his thoughts with BBC Radio WM:
“We got the goals in the first half, then defended it well in the second half when Preston came at us. There were a lot of tired old legs out there.
“It was good to back up the second-half performance against Sheffield United, but the intensity was always guaranteed to drop just purely based on the schedule. This period of games is a nightmare as a player.
“It’s a hard old slog at this time of the season, and you just have to manage it the best you can. The boys that came off the bench did well, and we saw the game out, which was important.
“I’m not sure what the script is from above, but we’ll just keep plodding away until we’re told otherwise.”
Preston manager Paul Heckingbottom lamented:
“The goals we conceded were shocking, and that’s what gave the game away. We handed them three goals. The three goals were terrible. They punished us and defended better than us.
“It’s just frustrating. I would have liked West Brom to have had to work harder than that. And I’m certainly going to look at our approach away from home.
“I get so frustrated because they’re better than what they’re showing, but at the minute it seems only I think that. I want to be a good force away from home as well.
“It sounds like I’m hammering the players, but I’m not. It’s just something I don’t want to see happen.”
