Tag: Hawthorns

Premier League: West Brom v Everton

Posted on by Marley Anderson

Relegation-battling West Bromwich Albion return to action on Thursday night looking to string together two consecutive league wins for the first time this season, as they welcome Everton to the Hawthorns.

Much was made of the win over Brighton on Saturday afternoon, with Lee Mason’s performance and missed penalties dominating the headlines in the coming hours, but the win injected some life into Sam Allardyce’s fight against what could be his first ever relegation.

If the Baggies are to survive, they’ll have to overcome one of Big Sam’s former clubs, as in-form Everton come into the game looking to go above at least one of Liverpool, Chelsea and West Ham in the race for the top four.

Everton are almost an entirely different club to the one Allardyce left back in 2018, with plans for a new stadium progressing, and players like James Rodriguez turning out for the Toffees, as well as having a Champions League winning manager on the touchline.

Speaking of James, the Colombian is a doubt for the trip to the Midlands with muscle tightness which kept him out of the 1-0 win over Southampton on Monday night. Tom Davies, Seamus Coleman and Robin Olsen are all being assessed ahead of the trip as well.

Yerry Mina has a calf injury and won’t recover in time to play, while Jean-Philippe Gbamin is still a few weeks from making a return. Forever-injured Fabian Delph has a tendon problem and won’t add to his 211 minutes of league action.

West Brom have no one definitely ruled out for the game, with Semi Ajayi returning from suspension and likely to start. Kieran Gibbs was sent off when the two sides met earlier this season for a petulant slap on James Rodriguez, and could return from a neck injury for round two. Robert Snodgrass was rested against Brighton because of a calf injury, but should be OK to play.

A win for the Baggies would close the gap on 18th-placed Fulham to three points and give them some momentum going into the last 11 games. If Everton take anything from the game, they’re guaranteed to go into the weekend in the top six, with Chelsea facing Liverpool later on Thursday night.

West Brom take on Everton at the Hawthorns on Thursday, March 4th. Kick-off is at 6pm.

Premier League: West Brom v Brighton

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

The Baggies have a mountain to climb if they are to avoid the drop this season with recent form not doing a great deal to encourage supporters that they can pull off a great escape.

West Brom are winless in their last 7 Premier League matches and are second from bottom in the table, a huge 12 points from safety.

Their opponents Brighton have been in better form recently with just one defeat in their last 7, with victories over Liverpool and Tottenham in that time.

However, defeat last time out for the Seagulls was a tough pill to swallow, with Christian Benteke’s stoppage time winner for bitter rivals Crystal Palace condemning Graham Potter’s side to a 1-2 loss.

Brighton have been tougher to break down of late, particularly on the road, where they have lost just once in their last 6 Premier League away games.

Any result at the Hawthorns may need to be achieved without Tariq Lamptey and Adam Webster, both of whom are rated touch-and-go to play on Saturday.

Sam Allardyce also has some absentees in his West Brom squad, with Semi Ajayi missing out due to suspension whilst Kieran Gibbs and Robert Snodgrass are major doubts.

West Brom v Brighton is at 3pm on Saturday 27th February.

To hear this story on your smart speaker just say: “Open Sport Social and play me the West Brom v Brighton match preview.”

Premier League: West Brom v Fulham

Posted on by Marley Anderson

A massive game at the bottom of the table takes place at the Hawthorns on Saturday, as West Brom host Fulham with things starting to get nervous in the relegation battle.

Just two points separate the sides going into the contest, with both teams needing a win if they are to reel in 17th-placed Brighton anytime soon.

It might not feel like it, but both sides have picked up three points from their last five league games, however they’ve come in very different circumstances. A lack of cutting edge has seen Fulham draw three and lose two, while West Brom beat Wolves earlier this month, but have also been on the end of defeats to Leeds, West Ham, Arsenal and Manchester City, leaving their goal difference at a massive -33.

Sam Allardyce needs to find his best team quickly, and ideally he’d have Grady Diangana available for selection. Unfortunately for him, he’s set to miss out with a hamstring injury, meaning Robert Snodgrass continues in the team after his January move from West Ham.

Scott Parker has an almost full squad to choose from, with only midfielder Tom Cairney and defender Terence Kongolo unavailable through injury. Kongolo is closing in on a return from an injury which has prevented him playing a single minute this season, but Antonee Robinson will return after his red card against Chelsea for a tackle on Cesar Azpilicueta.

A win for Fulham will take them to within two points of Brighton in 17th, while West Brom could leapfrog the Cottagers should they take the points.

West Brom take on Fulham at the Hawthorns on Saturday, January 30th. Kick-off is at 3pm.

Sam Allardyce’s Premier League return ends in defeat as West Brom lose to Aston Villa

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

The Baggies played the majority of the game with ten men following Jake Livermore’s red card but Allardyce’s new team were never really in it against the Villa.

Dean Smith’s side were quick out of the traps against the cross city rivals with Anwar El Ghazi putting them in front after just five minutes.

Summer signing Bertrand Traore’s cross drifted over a line of West Brom defenders inside the box and the Dutchman arrived on cue to finish at the back post.

That goal put the Baggies on the back foot before the break and their task was made even harder after Livermore was dismissed for a lunge at Jack Grealish.

With a goal and a man advantage after the restart Villa looked to move through the gears as Scottish international John McGinn headed wide just wide of the post.

But Smith’s side did finally wrap the points up with five minutes to go, as Traore cooly slotted home and El Ghazi netted his second of the night from the spot after Semi Ajayi bundled over Grealish inside the box.

Full Time at The Hawthorns it’s West Brom 0 Aston Villa 3

Premier League: West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

The big news from a Baggies perspective this week was the dismissal of boss Slaven Bilic, who was sacked just 14 hours after a 1-1 draw away at Manchester City.

Bilic’s tensions with the Albion board were well documented, with the surprise sale of Ahmed Hegazi a prime example of what was a fractured relationship.

The Croatian was convinced West Brom had improved in recent games, and despite Manchester City’s lacklustre season so far, a draw away at the Etihad is not to be sniffed at.

However, the result wasn’t enough to stop the axe falling on Bilic who was sacked on Wednesday and replaced by Sam Allardyce.

‘Big Sam’ has been out of management for over two years, and recently professed to having itchy feet about a return to the game, claiming this spell away from football has been the longest in his lifetime.

Much like Billic, Allardyce’s aim is to keep West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League, but he faces a tough start against a midlands rival in Aston Villa on Sunday.

Villa take on the 19th placed Baggies off the back of a 0-0 draw against Burnley which they really should’ve won – their 27 shots without scoring marks the most attempts of any side without finding the net in the last two Premier League seasons.

As such, Dean Smith’s side dropped in to the bottom half of the table, but do have two games in hand over the majority of the rest of the division.

Villa will be boosted ahead of the game too by the returns of Douglas Luiz and Matty Cash from suspension, but Ross Barkley is rated 50-50 to feature after a recent knock.

West Brom meanwhile will assess Sam Field and Hal Robson-Kanu ahead of the game, but the match will come too soon for Matheus Pereira, Kyle Bartley and Conor Townsend.

West Brom v Aston Villa kicks off at 7.15pm on Sunday 20th December.

Premier League: West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

Slaven Bilic’s Baggies secured a crucial first three points of the season when they beat hapless Sheffield United last week 1-0 at Bramall Lane, although they remain in the Premier League relegation zone.

Victory for fellow strugglers Fulham over Leicester City on Monday night means Albion lie 18th in the standings, 2 points from safety.

Crystal Palace meanwhile can’t claim to be as buoyant heading in to this one, having lost their last two top flight outings against Newcastle United and Burnley respectively.

Although those two defeats leave the Eagles languishing in 15th, they are still a comfortable 7 points above the bottom three.

Palace gaffer Roy Hodgson will have had 9 days to stew on the defeat to Newcastle by the time the match with West Brom rolls around, a gap between games rarely afforded to Premier League sides in this unusually congested season.

That 9 day period also means Wilfried Zaha is likely to be involved in the Crystal Palace matchday squad again after a two-week period of self-isolation following a positive coronavirus test.

Plenty of the narrative surrounding Palace revolves around Zaha, but it is fair to say the Croydon club have lacked a cutting edge in his absence.

Club captain Luka Milivojevic is also an option for Hodgson in midfield as he returns from a three-match ban.

Much like Zaha, West Brom will have Jake Livermore available after completing his period of quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. Defender Kieran Gibbs, who also returned a positive result for the virus, is also in contention after completing his self-isolation too.

Slaven Bilic will only have Sam Field absent for definite against Palace, but Conor Townsend is doubtful to feature with a knock.

West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace is the 12PM kick off on Sunday the 6th of December.

Premier League: West Brom v Sheffield United

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

The Baggies sit second bottom heading in to the encounter with the Blades, yet to win a game this season and with all three of their points coming from draws.

If West Brom’s record makes for grim reading, look away now if you’re a fan of Sheffield United – Chris Wilder’s side are rock bottom of the table and have accrued just a single point in 9 games so far this season.

United are bottom of the behind-closed-doors standings too, having really suffered since fans were banned from entering stadiums due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the recent news that some areas will be permitting supporters back in to grounds when the English lockdown is lifted may give some hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel in this difficult spell for the club on the field.

West Brom may feel aggrieved that their first Premier League win of the season didn’t come last time out against Manchester United, where a controversial Bruno Fernandes penalty saw them on the wrong end of the result.

No side has scored fewer goals in the Premier League this season then Sheffield United, although no side has conceded more than West Brom, which makes this already critical encounter even more intriguing.

Hal Robson-Kanu has recovered from a broken leg and is pushing for inclusion for West Brom, with Callum Robinson also available for selection again. Sam Field is the only player missing for Baggies boss Slaven Bilic.

Sheffield United’s injury woes remain, however, with Jack O’Connell still on the sidelines and Ethan Ampadu a doubt after limping off against West Ham.

Enda Stevens is 50-50 to feature after a recent knock, but striker Lys Mousset is expected to be available for Chris Wilder after a spell out.

West Brom v Sheffield United is an 8pm kick off on Saturday 28 November.

Premier League: West Brom v Tottenham

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

The Baggies will want to put the disappointment of defeat to Fulham behind them and behind them fast, but it won’t be easy against a Tottenham side within two points of top spot at the start of matchday 8.

West Brom’s loss to the Cottagers was a big blow considering the two newly promoted sides are both expected to be embroiled in a relegation battle this season. In a tale of both sides desperate for their first league win of the campaign, Scott Parker got the better of Slaven Bilic last time out.

Bilic’s relationship with the Baggies board may be of concern to supporters, particularly with evidence of possible fractures in communication regarding the recent departure of defender Ahmed Hegazi.

Things are certainly more cosy at Spurs with boss Jose Mourinho developing his own relationship with his newly-launched Instagram account.

Despite the comfortable victory over Bulgarian club Ludogorets in the Europa League on Thursday, Mourinho revealed on social media he still wasn’t impressed with the performance.

However, Harry Kane’s performance was no disappointment, with the striker bagging his 200th Spurs goal on his 300th appearance for the club – no doubt he will be hungry to add more to his tally against West Brom.

The Baggies goal threat will be reduced without the injured Hal Robson-Kanu who has a broken arm, but aside from that Bilic has no fresh fitness concerns.

Tottenham are missing Erik Lamela due to a knock, but the trio of Serge Aurier, Japhet Tanganga and Sergio Reguilon will all be assessed ahead of the Sunday lunchtime clash at the Hawthorns.

West Brom v Tottenham is a 12pm kick off on Sunday 8th November.

Pereira in line for new West Brom deal

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

According to a report from Football Insider, the Baggies man is expected to pen fresh terms at the Hawthorns on a new five-year deal.

The 24-year-old signed for West Brom permanently in the summer, joining from Sporting Lisbon for £8m after an impressive loan spell last season.

Albion are keen to tie down the Brazilian for the long haul, with the report claiming the deal for statistically the most creative player in the Championship last season will run until 2025.

So far in the Premier League this season Pereira has one goal and two assists in seven games, with West Brom yet to secure a first win of the campaign and struggling with just three top flight points.

No doubt the playmaker will be key if the Baggies are to avoid relegation back to the second tier – Slaven Bilic’s side take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend.

Pereira in line for new West Brom deal

Posted on by Niall McCaughan

According to a report from Football Insider, the Baggies man is expected to pen fresh terms at the Hawthorns on a new five-year deal.

The 24-year-old signed for West Brom permanently in the summer, joining from Sporting Lisbon for £8m after an impressive loan spell last season.

Albion are keen to tie down the Brazilian for the long haul, with the report claiming the deal for statistically the most creative player in the Championship last season will run until 2025.

So far in the Premier League this season Pereira has one goal and two assists in seven games, with West Brom yet to secure a first win of the campaign and struggling with just three top flight points.

No doubt the playmaker will be key if the Baggies are to avoid relegation back to the second tier – Slaven Bilic’s side take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend.

Premier League Preview: West Brom v Burnley

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

Slaven Bilic’s side are edging it in terms of current form with one point from four games against the Clarets four match losing streak.

The Baggies will be boosted by some important returns for this one, with Kieran Gibbs back from suspension and Ahmed Hegazy and Conor Gallagher back fit.

However, with Hal Robson-Kanu sidelined with a broken arm and Callum Robinson isolating after international duty, meaning Bilic will be without a regular No.9 option.

Sean Dyche has his own injury worries ahead of this one with four first team stars laid low with injury.

But the struggling visitors should be boosted by the returns of Jay Rodriguez and Johan Gudmundsson after Dyche confirmed they have both returned to training this week.

And kick off is Monday night 5.30pm at The Hawthorns.

Chelsea fight back to secure 3-3 Premier League draw at West Brom

Posted on by Feargal Brennan

The big news ahead of kick off was Frank Lampard’s decision to drop the under fire Kepa for the trip to The Hawthorns, but his replacement Willy Caballero fared no better, as the Argentinian keeper conceded three goals inside the 30 minutes.

The hosts were excellent in the opening stages, as Lampard’s big money stars were simply unable to cope with them.

Callum Robinson got the ball rolling for the Baggies after just four minutes, as he lashed home Matheus Pereira’s pass.

Chelsea did look to offer up a speedy response to Robinson’s opener, with Tammy Abraham denied by Sam Johnstone and Timo Werner firing off the crossbar.

Those misses were immediately punished by the hosts, as Robinson raced onto Thiago Silva’s error to make it 2-0 before former Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley tapped in a third.

Lampard must have tore the paint off the walls in the dressing rom during the break, as his side came out as a different beast in the second half.

With the Baggies digging in for the win, Chelsea dominated after the restart, with Mason Mount kick starting their comeback with a rocket of a finish.

It was one way traffic in the closing stages, as Kai Havertz slipped Callum Hudson-Odoi in for a second goal to set up a tense finale.

But just as West Brom seemed to be hanging on for the points, England international Abraham popped up inside the box to fire home the equaliser.

FULL TIME AT THE HAWTHORNS IT WEST BROM 3 CHELSEA 3