West Brom get new era off to flying start as they pull clear in playoff race | West Bromwich Albion

West Brom moved seven factors away from the Championship playoff chasing pack due to a 2-1 win over their top-six rivals Coventry. Their Celtic loanee Mikey Johnston scored a surprise objective at hand Albion an early lead earlier than Grady Diangana doubled their benefit. The substitute Haji Wright replied from the penalty spot for Coventry.

Within the first West Brom recreation since Shilen Patel accomplished his £60m takeover of the membership from the Chinese language businessman Guochuan Lai, the Baggies led after seven minutes with Johnston exhibiting once more precisely why the pinnacle coach, Carlos Corberán, introduced him to the membership. He picked up the ball out huge earlier than dancing previous numerous Coventry defenders and curling house past Ben Wilson.

Albion loved a lot of the early stress however, after a few warning strikes from distance, Josh Eccles nearly completed off a neat short-corner routine from the guests. The ball was labored out to the sting of the world, however his curling effort was mistimed and it dropped simply huge of the publish.

Kasey Palmer went shut from distance earlier than the house facet prolonged their benefit 10 minutes earlier than half-time. Tom Fellows received himself half a yard on Jay Dasilva and was in a position to lower a cross again to Diangana, who volleyed in off the within of the publish.

Albion have been medical within the first interval, with their solely two alternatives conjuring a two-goal benefit. Coventry made a half-time substitution, with Wright changing Callum O’Hare, but it surely didn’t change the complexion of the sport within the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

Diangana headed a Johnston free-kick huge earlier than Conor Townsend’s effort from distance deflected over.

On the different finish, a snapshot from Victor Torp drew a sensible save from Alex Palmer because the guests started to get a foothold within the recreation. The Coventry midfielder Palmer examined the West Brom goalkeeper and Torp went nearer from distance earlier than the Sky Blues halved the deficit with 18 minutes left.

Palmer was upended by Cédric Kipré within the field and the substitute Wright despatched the keeper the unsuitable manner from the penalty spot.

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Ellis Simms then spurned an opportunity to degree shortly afterwards, with Albion beginning to shake within the wake of the spot-kick. Simms fired over once more because the clock ticked down as Coventry sensed a late equaliser. Eccles noticed an effort deflect huge however West Brom stood agency.

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