West Brom boost their Championship play-offs hopes by beating rivals Coventry
Posted Saturday, March 02, 2024 by PA
West Brom moved seven points clear of the Sky Bet Championship play-off chasing pack thanks to a narrow 2-1 win over top-six rivals Coventry.
Celtic loan star Mikey Johnston scored another wonder goal to hand Albion an early lead before Grady Diangana doubled their advantage.
Substitute Haji Wright scored from the penalty spot for Coventry, but it was West Brom who took the spoils to strength their play-off ambitions.
The hosts led after just seven minutes after Johnston showed again exactly why head coach Carlos Corberan brought him to the club.
Johnston picked up the ball out wide before dancing past a number of Coventry defenders and curling home beyond Ben Wilson.
Albion enjoyed much of the early pressure but, after a couple of warning strikes from distance, Josh Eccles almost finished off a neat short-corner routine from the visitors.
The ball was worked out to the edge of the area, however, his curling effort was mistimed and it dropped just wide of the post.
Kasey Palmer then went close from distance before the home side extended their advantage 10 minutes before half-time.
Tom Fellows got himself half a yard on Jay Dasilva and was able to cut a cross back to Diangana, who volleyed in off the inside of the post.
It was a clinical display from Albion in the first period – with their only two opportunities conjuring up a two-goal advantage.
Coventry made a half-time substitution, with Wright replacing Callum O’Hare, but it did not change the complexion of the game in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
Diangana headed a Johnston free-kick wide before Conor Townsend’s effort from distance deflected over.
At the other end, a snapshot from Victor Torp drew a smart save from Alex Palmer as the visitors began to get a foothold in the game.
Coventry midfielder Palmer tested the West Brom goalkeeper and Torp went closer from distance before the Sky Blues halved the deficit with 18 minutes left.
Palmer was upended by Cedric Kipre in the box and substitute Wright stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Ellis Simms then spurned a chance to level shortly after, with Albion starting to shake in the wake of the spot-kick.
Simms fired over again as the clock ticked down as Coventry sensed a late equaliser.
Eccles saw an effort deflect wide as the Sky Blues pressured late on, but West Brom stood firm.
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