1-0 M. Johnston (34') 2-0 M. Johnston (43')
Michael Johnston scored for the first time since April to condemn a Bristol City side who extended their winless run to four games at The Hawthorns.
The 25-year-old, who failed to score in his previous 17 Championship games, broke the deadlock after heading Tom Fellows' cross into the back of the net.
Bristol City responded poorly and Johnston earned his second goal of the game and season when he finished clinically into the top right corner, which buried the Robins' hopes of a surmountable task.
West Brom would have been hoping to win by at least three goals, which would have sent them above Middlesbrough in the league table and into sixth, but will have to go into Christmas level on points and goal difference with the Boro.
Not only does this loss for Liam Manning's side mean they have gone winless in four games, but they also missed out on a chance to go into 10th and have a difficult job when they face Luton Town on Boxing Day.
Both sides had an accumulation of 20 draws before this game and there was expectation for another one at the Hawthorns on Sunday.
However, this tie entertained, with a total of 25 shots and five yellow cards to go with the two difference-making goals.
Story of the Match
West Brom made a quick start to the game, testing the visitors' defence and goalkeeper Max O’Leary when both Torbjorn Heggem and John Swift had efforts towards goal.
The former was blocked bravely but Swift’s shot, just two minutes later and from 33 yards out, forced O’Leary into an awkward save on a wet Hawthorns surface.
The Baggies showed an abundance of threat whether from open play or set-pieces in the opening half but particularly when Swift delivered a curling free-kick into the box where Kyle Bartley headed just over the bar.
Bristol City couldn’t muster anything in the first half and they went down just after the half hour mark, with play starting on the right with Fellows.
The forward showed more patience than anyone before pivoting towards the byline and crossing into the box, where Johnston headed strongly into the bottom left corner.
It was the 25-year-old’s first goal since April and he was one of three changes made to Carlos Corberan’s side after they lost against Watford last time out.
After his first, Johnston was getting warmer despite the freezing conditions and doubled Albion’s lead with a sublime finish to strengthen his side’s chances of returning to the top six.
Alex Mowatt found the ball in the middle and moved it onto the left flank where Johnston was situated before he drove to goal and faced up to Zak Vyner.
Johnston could have gone left or right and decided to do the latter before nestling the ball into the back of the net, making an impact at the top right corner for his brace.
Fally Mayulu led the line for the visitors and had his first shot on goal on 50 minutes; a left-footed shot by the forward was saved strongly by Alex Palmer.
Just two minutes following that chance Johnston had a golden opportunity to score his hat-trick but dragged his shot wide after receiving the ball from Mowatt inside the box.
Bristol City struggled throughout the game and, due to his two goals, Johnston made a significant impact on the Baggies’ mentality.
His confidence alone was potent and the visitors got a taste of it when the forward flicked the ball past McCrorie before gliding past Vyner and into the box.
Eventually, Johnston got his shot off but Jason Knight did well to get a touch on it as it trickled out for a West Brom corner.
Player of the Match - Michael Johnston
Going into this game and looking at the wide threat that West Brom posed despite the absence of Karlan Grant, there would have been few guesses for the 25-year-old to be the star player in this tie.
His first was a simple but effective header into the back of the net which ultimately set the Baggies up for an excellent game from there onwards.
Johnston later doubled his tally with a piece of mastery which meant he was on for a hat-trick.
But despite a few more chances coming into his path, he failed to make it a trifecta, but his side deservedly won the game thanks to his superb ability in front of goal.
