Relegated West Brom are finally getting their groove on and sending out a more than clear enough signal to the Sky Bet Championship that they mean business.
Ahead of today’s game against Preston North End, they were already the division’s top scorers, a statistic they added to with three more goals in a relatively easy 3-2 win over the Lilywhites. That trio of strikes means that the Baggies now have 25 goals in their opening 10 games.
It is a strike-rate that has seen the side relegated from the Premier League last season return to the top of the Championship pile, relegating Leeds United into second place, one of three teams a point behind on 19 points.
Against the Lilywhites today, it was a second half performance from both sides that sparked the game into life – all five goals coming in the final 45 minutes. It was West Brom who drew first blood, Jay Rodriguez converting Jake Livermore’s assist on 48 minutes.
Preston’s Welsh defender Andrew Hughes (71′) pulled the game level for the home side in a lead that lasted just two minutes before Ben Davies looped in a headed own goal (73′) to give the Midlands side a 2-1 lead.
With the game drifting towards a welcome three points, West Brom scored a third, Newcastle loanee Dwight Gayle (88′) firing in a free-kick from a central position 25-yards out to make it 3-1. With the game deep into time added on (90+6′), Preston’s Alan Browne’s goal ensured it was hearts-in-mouth time for Baggies fans, but that goal was but a mere consolation for the home side in a game that ended 3-2 to the visitors.
The three points sees the Baggies hit top spot; here’s how some of their fans have responded to this, and the win, on Twitter:
Top of the league #wba
— Sunil (@SunilJ3) September 29, 2018
And as it turns out Albion are top of the league, which is nice. #wba
— shimmetry (@shimmetry) September 29, 2018
Buzzing! Top of the league #wba
— Mason (@Mason7WBA) September 29, 2018
@AwayDays_ @theawayfans #wba we are top of the league #wba pic.twitter.com/UOLsieV5Gd
— Karl (@wba0121) September 29, 2018
We are on for 100+ goals this seaaon but will concede 60! #wba
— Throstle Fantastic (@ThrstleFantstic) September 29, 2018
Job done. Poor today and beat a terrible Preston team but still found a way to concede 2. Only thing that will stop us winning the league is our defence #WBA #WBA
— Paul (@P4ulG87) September 29, 2018
Still too early in the season to get carried away. But things are looking positive so far. Can’t remember a time I felt this confident about a squad. #WBA
— Steven Pascall (@stevenpascall1) September 29, 2018
Another 3 points & top of the league; defence still fragile, but got the win.(just) #coyb #wba
— Kayt (@kt1465) September 29, 2018
#wba attack vs defence pic.twitter.com/YNV7N8OX39
— Zwebeck (@BigDarrenMoore) September 29, 2018
This team stresses the fluff outta me but wouldn’t av it any other way #wba
— lise (@lise_Jane77) September 29, 2018
So, it seems that there is a sense of joy amongst West Brom fans that their side are topping the table. Yet, it is a sense of joy that is tempered with the caveat of a leaky defence.
