West Bromwich Albion earned promotion back to the Premier League despite drawing 2-2 to Queens Park Rangers.
In a game where nothing less than a win would secure a record fifth return to England’s top division, the Baggies were ultimately reliant on Brentford’s result versus Barnsley to determine their fate.
A 2-1 loss for the Bees meant that Slaven Bilic has taken West Brom to the Premier League in his first season in the Championship, despite not winning any of their last four games.
Story of the game:
Callum Robinson almost proved Bilic’s controversial decision to start the Sheffield United loanee to be the right one just seven minutes into the match. The striker was presented with a good headed opportunity following an accurate Matheus Pereira cross, but, to QPR’s relief, the ball just flew past the far past.
Romaine Sawyers continued to make the most of the Baggies early pressing, releasing a powerful dipped long shot from outside the box. Joe Lumley was quick to get down however, as he parried the ball away for a corner.
Despite continuously trying to attack with pace and accuracy throughout the first half, there was a serious lack of key chances for the Baggies. Pereira often found himself with space down the right flank but his variety of crosses just weren’t finding anyone in the box. There was a sickening feeling around the Hawthornes that it was only a matter of time before West Brom rued these wasted opportunities.
In the 34th minute, it was Ryan Manning who dragged the Baggies back into the play-offs with a brilliant finish. The ball fell to the midfielder on the edge of the box and, on his second attempt, the Irishmen drilled the ball in off of the right post.
Throughout the season, West Brom have been known for turning games around collecting a total of 27 points from losing positions. Just minutes after the news that Barnsley had taken the lead at Griffin Park, the Baggies were starting to look more confident. This confidence was rewarded just minutes later.
Grady Dianganna scored the all-important equaliser, slotting the ball underneath a helpless goalkeeper with a powerful strike. A goal minutes before half time is always crucial, but with nothing but a win guaranteeing promotion, Bilic still had a lot of work to do.
Whatever the Croatian manager said at halftime clearly worked, as just four minutes into the second half, Robinson scored West Brom’s second. After some superb skill down the left wing, Dianganna crossed in a beautiful pass taking out two defenders to land at Robinson’s feet. With no pressure from just ten yards out, there was no way the Englishman was missing as he fired the ball past a flailing Lumley.
Chances for West Brom were now becoming a regular theme of the game. Robinson had a golden opportunity to double the Baggies lead just minutes later but fired just wide of the post. Pereira also had a tame shot from outside the box fizzle past the post.
The Baggies were in total control, but as the tale of the Championship has been this season, there was yet another twist.
Eberechi Eze found himself clean through following an accurate pass from midfield. Two touch later and the talented 22-year old had found the top left corner in exquisite fashion leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
The scoreboard read 2-2 entering the final 15 minutes. With Brentford having equalised through a fabulous Joshua Dasilva strike, the Baggies would have been aware that a draw was probably not going to be enough to secure a return to the Premier League.
Bilic did all he could, using all his substitutes to try and grab that all important goal. The Baggies pushed continuously until the 90th minute until they heard of a goal that came from Griffin Park.
Barnsley left back Clarke Oduor had scored. A 1-2 score line from West London not only meant the Tykes survived in the Championship, but also meant the Baggies were about to gain promotion to the Premier League.
The full-time whistle had blown at the Hawthorne’s, and just minutes later, so did the whistle at Griffin Park. The Baggies had done it.
A display of ecstasy erupted in the midlands, West Brom may not have done it the classical way, but they won’t care as next season they will be back in the Premier League.
Man of the match:
Although Baggies fans will not care for individual performances, massive credit has to go to Grady Dianganna.
It goes without saying that an opening goal for the Baggies to level the scoring plus a brilliant pass to assist the second was invaluable for Bilic’s side.
Forgetting the goal involvements, the winger seemed to be one of the only players for West Brom who looked good throughout the whole game. Silky movement down the left wing had QPR right back Osman Kakay in tatters.
With West Ham United’s Premier League status confirmed for next season, it will be interesting to see if the Irons give this talented youngster an opportunity to shine in England’s first tier of football.
