West Brom confirm £20m loan agreement but still await Lai Albion notified their minority shareholders earlier this month about the
intention to borrow a sizeable amount of money in order to aid the
Albion got off to the best possible start - and it came from the maligned left hand side. Both Townsend and Phillips struggled at Coventry and there had been calls for change in the XI on the back of that, but Corberan's faith was rewarded. Townsend found his teammate with an incisive, perfectly weighted pass and Phillips - allowed to progress into the box - did the rest with a terrific finish into the far corner.
Recent Leeds United history shows how pivotal festive period 2019-20. Games played: Fulham (a), Preston North End (h), Birmingham City
(a), West Brom (a).
O'Shea 7 At times O'Shea was a little hesitant in the first half. He let the ball bounce with Wells lurking and Pieters had to come across and cover him. In the second half O'Shea was superb, serious commitment and bravery in the battle and had the beating of Wells. A little erratic on the ball occasionally. Pieters 7 One nod-down was questionable, when it led to Conway's stinging drive and Palmer was called into action in a flash. Generally speaking, Pieters was very solid thereon. Shepherded the ball out of play, kept his head in tight spots and won headers aplenty. Townsend 8 A brilliantly pass for Phillips enabled his colleague to break Bristol City open and nudge Albion ahead early on. Continued to affect the game in an attacking sense and, although Bristol City continued to target that side, they didn't get much change out of him.
Bristol City, who have won just once since claiming victory over Albion at The Hawthorns in October, were nervous and loose on the ball. For large periods, Albion were pretty comfortable and were well set-up, disciplined in their shape and inviting their hosts to break them down. Inevitably, Albion - who in Jed Wallace had an ever reliable out-ball on the right and in the heart of midfield a warrior and dictator in Okay Yokuslu - would be prone to conceding chances. Townsend was improved, Darnell Furlong too, but Dara O'Shea and Erik Pieters were still a little hesitant at times. They were thankful to Alex Palmer on more than one occasion in the first 45 alone, as he kept the lively Tommy Conway at bay - first the newest Albion number one made himself big to smother a Robins chance, and then he demonstrated superb reflexes to tip Conway's rasping strike over the bar.
West Bromwich Albion vs Preston North End live stream: How West Bromwich Albion vs Preston North End live stream: How to watch
Championship football
That said, Albion could so easily have headed down the tunnel at the interval with a more comfortable lead than the one they boasted. Daryl Dike met a corner with a head directed at goal, but on its journey it took a nick off a red shirt and required Max O'Leary to pull off a reflex save when heading the other way. The ball to Townsend, two or three yards out, who in truth had to score - but he couldn't force the ball over the line. Albion were pretty comfortable in the second half. Palmer was never really troubled, despite the score-line being a precarious one and many of the thousands here in support of the home side urging them forwards. With fresh legs required at the top of the pitch, and Corberan's Midas touch as regards to tactical and personnel changes already well documented, you might've expected Rogic and Thomas-Asante to have played a hand by the end.
Latest fortunes tipped for Burnley, PNE, Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool as Championship returns 7. Preston North End - 68pts. 8. Coventry City - 66pts. 9. Swansea City -
66pts. 10. West Bromwich Albion - 65pts. 11. Luton Town -
Jon Dahl Tomasson responds to Blackburn Rovers style criticism with strong admission ... out from defence and were punished by Preston North End on Saturday.
... when we have the ball to play forward and not play sidewards
Reading vs Coventry City TV channel, live stream and how to watch Championship clash Instead, a Lancashire derby between Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End
is the lunchtime offering from Sky Sports, while Sheffield
They're back to winning ways in workmanlike fashion and now return to the comforts of home either side of the New Year. West Brom player ratings Palmer 9 From the get go, you could tell Palmer's confidence levels are high when he was forced into action and made himself big to block Conway's effort. His tip onto the bar to deny the same player was excellent, as was his general commanding of the box. Furlong 7 Improved here. Body was on the line towards the end of the first half. Crossing when he did get forwards needed to improve and generally speaking in a defensive sense Furlong was pretty sound here - although he made a hash of being in possession in the build up to his booking.
The combination was exquisite. The pass from Rogic on the break was delightful, almost as attractive as his Rotherham effort, and the weight on the ball was perfect to find Thomas-Asante. With two defenders for company and keeper O'Leary rushing out to close the space down, Thomas-Asante delicately lobbed the ball over his head and into the far corner. Jingle Bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is to see the Albion win away, sang the 2, 500 travelling Baggies.
Yokuslu 9* Tremendous, well-timed, crunching tackle in the early stages outlined how high his personal confidence levels are. One or two loose passes could be forgiven because of the tempo Yokuslu was operating at. Molumby 7 Recalled and reminded of his qualities - particularly away from home. Was disappointing at Sunderland previously but much better here.
Bristol City vs West Brom player ratings: Yokuslu excels, Thomas-Asante scoresWest Bromwich Albion swiftly put their temporary disappointment at Coventry City behind them to climb into the top half of the Championship table with a routine win over Bristol City on Boxing Day. The Baggies delivered some festive cheer for the supporters who made the journey down the M5 and were entertained by fine goals from Matt Phillips and Brandon Thomas-Asante in either half as Carlos Corberan guided his players to winning ways again.
Applied himself superbly with blocks and tackles aplenty and played his part in some lovely, flowing Albion moves. Swift 6 Albion did plenty of good things out of possession in the first-half, and that applied to Swift who was one of the first lines of defence, but he would've hoped to have had made more of an impact on the game with the ball - in open play and from set-pieces. Phillips 7 There were some who questioned the selection of Phillips after an underwhelming performance at Coventry, but he responded in the very best way with a fabulous finish when fed by Townsend. Fortunate not to find his own net in the first half. Wallace 6 A first-half threat to Bristol City on their left hand side, as he has been to many a side in this division this season.
Carlos Corberan talks 'special connection' with Jon Russell Former Terriers boss Carlos Corberan characteristically refused to engage
directly with speculation linking West Bromwich Albion with