da pinup bet: West Bromwich Albion continue to light up the Championship under Slaven Bilic.
da bwin: The Baggies picked up their fifth straight victory in the division and leapfrogged Leeds United back to their throne at the summit.
It wasn’t their finest performance, their goal was certainly questionable but find someone in the west Midlands who cares. The promotion train isn’t stopping for anybody.
Their opposition posed an almighty threat as Preston North End went into the match with the best home record of any side in the division, and that was certainly seen in this tie as Albion were restricted to six of their 11 shots from outside the area.
However, they found a way to break the resolute Lilywhites down in the final minute of the match as substitute Kyle Edwards was adjudged to have been fouled inside the area, leaving Charlie Austin with a chance from the spot, which he duly dispatched.
The victory sees them move to 42 points from 19 matches, an average of 2.2 per game, which is above what Norwich City needed to win the title last season.
It also meant that the Baggies managed a fourth away clean sheet in a row and fifth in six, leaving much of the Hawthorns faithful raving over their goalkeeper Sam Johnstone.
The 26-year-old recorded two saves in the match, including one that potentially stopped them from leaking a goal at Deepdale, and it is clear to see that fans have acknowledged it on social media.
One supporter said it was ‘magnificent’ while another claimed it kept them in it with the match still at 0-0.
Earlier in the season, the former Manchester United shot-stopper was a target for fans criticism, even at one stage they were pleading for backup Jonathan Bond to start matches, but further fans have questioned where the haters are now…
Johnstone was labelled as an ‘absolute beast’ by one supporter as he hoped to never see any form of slander against their number one again.
Well, he may well get his wish as some of the previous doubters are starting to realise just how good their man between the sticks really is.
His performance was summed up by just two words – ‘world class.’
It appears West Brom have finally turned a corner defensively in recent weeks, which will only strengthen their title bid as a hectic festive period takes us into 2020.
If Bilic’s boys keep this up, there’s no doubting that they’ll seal a return to the promised land.
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Meanwhile, time could be running out for one West Brom legend after his recent omission from the matchday squad…