Wednesday’s mini-revival since the return of Championship football ended in a three-goal defeat to promotion-chasing West Brom at Hillsborough this evening.
The 3-0 scoreline somewhat flattered the visitors after we more than matched them in the first half but West Brom were an improved outfit after the break and proved too strong for us over the 90 minutes.
The defeat sees us remain in 13th place on 52 points, 10 clear of the relegation zone but with that possible EFL point deduction still in the balance.
We had looked marginally the better side in the first half, forcing seven corners to West Brom’s zero figure, but failed to cause visiting keeper Sam Johnstone any real problems despite that pressure.
And the visitors took the lead from a penalty on 37 minutes when Moses Odubajo was adjudged to have pulled down Dara O’Shea at the far post. Referee David Webb took an age to award the kick but, when he did, Charlie Austin stepped up to score easily from the spot.
It was harsh on Wednesday but West Brom looked a sharper outfit after the break and went two-up on 57 minutes when Matheus Pereira headed home.
Two minutes later, Kadeem Harris was unlucky not to get us back in the game when he cut in from the left but saw his shot from the edge of the box come back off the post with keeper Johnstone beaten.
Connor Wickham’s snapshot was blocked for a corner but West Brom continued to stretch our defence at the other end and it was game over five minutes from time, Pereira firing home his second goal at the far post.
Wildsmith, Palmer, Iorfa, Odubajo, Harris, Reach (Lee 62), Luongo (Nuhiu 62), Bannan (Hunt 86), Murphy, Wickham, Rhodes (Da Cruz 46). Unused subs. Dawson, Pelupessy, Brennan, Hughes, Shaw.