Scott Hogan’s hat-trick earned a 3-2 victory for Birmingham – their first on the Hawthorns since 2005 – as West Brom’s poor begin to the season continued.
The guests made a energetic begin and went forward within the 14th minute, Hogan ending low throughout goalkeeper David Button from Juninho Bacuna’s by means of ball. Jed Wallace levelled 9 minutes later, calmly slotted by means of John Ruddy’s legs from Jayson Molumby’s move because the groups went in stage.
Blues regained the lead in spectacular type within the 54th minute. Hogan sidefooted house his second of the sport and fourth of the season, however it owed a lot to Bacuna, who began the transfer by successful the ball from a West Brom nook earlier than taking Troy Deeney’s move and racing clear, previous to supplying the cross.
Hogan accomplished his hat-trick when he latched on to an excellent by means of ball from Deeney on the left and reduce inside earlier than poking the ball by means of Button’s legs on the close to put up. Thomas-Asante pulled one again with a late penalty, though the foul by Dion Sanderson regarded prefer it was exterior the world.
Victory allowed John Eustace’s aspect to climb above their neighbours and into mid-table, whereas West Brom are in twentieth place with one win from 9 league video games.
Norwich tightened their grip on a top-two spot and made it six league wins in a row after holding off Bristol Metropolis 3-2 in an entertaining conflict at Carrow Highway.
Teemu Pukki pounced on poor defending to open the scoring within the eleventh minute, lifting the ball over keeper Dan Bentley earlier than nodding into an empty web. The on-loan Aaron Ramsey then arrange Pukki’s second, his by means of ball fired inside Bentley’s close to put up by the Finnish ahead.
Nigel Pearson’s aspect received again within the recreation earlier than half time as Nahki Wells’ cross was headed house by Tommy Conway. Because the guests tried to extend the stress within the second half, Norwich restored their two-goal cushion. Gabriel Sara’s nook within the sixty fifth minute was headed house by the in-form Josh Sargent.
Bentley then produced a point-blank save to disclaim Pukki a hat-trick following a scramble at one other nook, earlier than substitute Antoine Semenyo fired house Bristol Metropolis’s second purpose. The hosts held on, and at the moment are one level behind leaders Sheffield United, and 4 factors away from third-placed Blackburn.
The Norwich supervisor, Dean Smith, was essential of his gamers regardless of the win. “I’m upset with our efficiency tonight however I’ve not overlooked the truth that it’s one other three factors, that’s a very powerful factor,” he stated. “The lads have gotten a successful mentality in the mean time and that’s one thing we have to harness.”
Studying misplaced their 100% house league document as they fell to a complete 3-0 defeat to Sunderland. The Black Cats climb again into the highest six after Patrick Roberts struck twice in fast succession simply earlier than half time.
After a primary half of few probabilities, Roberts reduce in from the proper and curled the ball past Joe Lumley for the opener within the thirty ninth minute – and repeated the trick two minutes later. Jack Clarke made certain of victory within the 69th minute, latching onto an excellent Dan Neil cross to fit house.
Rotherham sit in ninth place after a 3-0 house win over Blackpool. Chiedozie Ogbene’s first-half header was adopted by late objectives from Wes Harding and Georgie Kelly because the promoted aspect made it 13 factors from their first eight video games – their greatest begin to a second-tier marketing campaign because the 1965-66 season.
Coventry got here from behind twice at Luton to select up simply their second level of their first six video games. There have been three objectives within the first quarter-hour at Kenilworth Highway, with the hosts’ Carlton Morris putting both aspect of Viktor Gyokeres’ strike. The guests received a deserved level by means of Gustavo Hamer’s nice curling end on the hour.
Queens Park Rangers returned to successful methods with a 2-0 victory at Millwall. After a goalless first half, Chris Willock’s beautiful flip and end from exterior the field put the guests in entrance, and Hoops captain Stefan Johansen fired house after a well-worked nook routine to settle the London derby on the Den.
