Josh Maja’s first-half double helped West Brom move back into the Sky Bet Championship play-off places with a comfortable 3-1 win over Preston.
The Baggies were still searching for their first win since Carlos Corberan left for Valencia but a stunning display in the opening period gave Chris Brunt his maiden victory as interim boss.
Preston have only managed one win away from home all season and their ambitions of grabbing a second were already in tatters at the break as Maja’s brace either side of Callum Styles’ strike had the hosts in a dominant position.
Second-half substitute Ryan Ledson struck to give Preston hope but it only proved to be a consolation as North End’s run of two successive wins came to an end.
The home side forced the first save of the day from Freddie Woodman as a corner came out to Jayson Molumby who let fly from distance but the Preston keeper was able to easily collect.
The Baggies hit the front with 18 minutes on the clock. Mikey Johnston’s clever footwork down the left opened up the space for him to slide the ball across goal and Stefan Thordarson’s touch inadvertently set it up nicely for Maja to blast into the back of the net.
Preston were yet to get going but Kaine Kesler-Hayden’s swirling effort tested Alex Palmer who needed to be alert to parry away from danger.
North End were struggling to deal with Johnston, who was being a menace down the left side, and he once again played the ball across goal but Styles’ flick did not have the power to beat Woodman.
The Baggies doubled their advantage in the 35th minute – and it was Johnston the provider once again. He played it out to Styles on a smart corner routine and the midfielder smashed through a sea of bodies and into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club.
West Brom were threatening to run out of sight and had a third five minutes before the break.
Once again West Brom broke down the left with Darnell Furlong, he squared to Maja before being brought down by Sam Greenwood – and as Robert Madley was about to put his whistle to his mouth for a penalty – the striker stroked home for his second.
West Brom seemingly took their foot off the gas in the second period and Preston were on the scoreboard with 20 minutes still to play.
Substitute Milutin Osmajic’s clever hold-up play allowed him to find Ledson who was running into the area and fizzed the ball beyond Palmer.
Preston’s tails were up and they fancied their chances of getting a second. Emil Riis found himself with space down the right but his powerful effort was stopped by Palmer.
The managers
West Brom’s Carlos Corberan:
To follow…
Preston’s Paul Heckingbottom:
To follow…
