Josh Maja fires West Brom to victory over Preston to send Baggies back into play-off spots
Josh Maja's first-half brace propelled West Brom back into the Sky Bet Championship play-off spots with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Preston. The Baggies had been hunting for their first win since Carlos Corberan's departure to Valencia, but a dazzling first-half performance handed Chris Brunt his inaugural win as interim boss.
Preston, who have only secured one away win this season, saw their hopes of a second dashed by half-time as Maja's double and Callum Styles' goal put the hosts firmly in control. Ryan Ledson, a second-half substitute, scored for Preston, but it was merely a consolation as their two-match winning streak ended.
The home side forced the first save from Preston keeper Freddie Woodman when Jayson Molumby took a shot from distance following a corner. The Baggies took the lead 18 minutes in when Mikey Johnston's skilful footwork on the left allowed him to pass the ball across goal, setting up Maja to fire it into the net.
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Preston's Kaine Kesler-Hayden tested Alex Palmer with a swirling shot that required a sharp save.
North End found it tough to handle Johnston, who was causing havoc down the left flank. He once again sent the ball across goal but Styles’ flick lacked the power to beat Woodman.
The Baggies doubled their lead in the 35th minute, with Johnston playing a key role again. He passed it to Styles from a clever corner routine and the midfielder blasted through a crowd of players and into the bottom corner for his first Baggies goal.
West Brom looked set to run away with the game, scoring a third five minutes before half-time. Once more, West Brom attacked down the left with Darnell Furlong, he passed to Maja before being taken down by Sam Greenwood – just as Robert Madley was about to blow his whistle for a penalty – the striker calmly netted his second.
West Brom eased off in the second half and Preston managed to get on the scoresheet with 20 minutes remaining. Substitute Milutin Osmajic’s smart hold-up play allowed him to find Ledson who was making a run into the box and he fired the ball past Palmer.
Preston were buoyed by this and fancied their chances of getting another. Emil Riis found himself with space down the right but his powerful shot was saved by Palmer.
