West Brom’s poor form at home continued as Bristol City produced one of the comfortable football scores of the weekend in the Championship. After Joe Williams and Nahki Wells scored for the managerless Baggies before halftime, Richard Beale took over as interim manager after Steve Bruce was fired. The team led by interim manager and former West Brom assistant manager Nigel Pearson won for just the second time in eight games, but it elevated them six spots to 11th in the Sky Bet Championship standings. With the most away goals allowed in the league going into the match, City have not kept a clean sheet on the road in 10 Championship games dating back to last April.
After the break, Albion’s strong claims for a penalty were denied, and substitute John Swift and Brandon Thomas-Asante both shot against the post. When Matt Phillips startled Bristol City with a low corner to the edge of the box, Albion attempted to attack, but Jed Wallace blasted his shot way over the bar. Wallace was again highly engaged, but Grady Diangana’s touch for Thomas-Asante from his cross was too heavy, and the ball slid to goalkeeper Max O’Leary without more incident. The wastefulness of the hosts was made evident in the 32nd minute as Bristol City seized the lead. Wells crossed the ball deep to the right, Jay Dasilva volleyed it back into the danger zone, and Jake Livermore, who ought to have intercepted it, was unable to do so.
Albion vehemently argued that they ought to have been awarded a penalty in the 51st minute. Rob Atkinson was struck in the hand by Wallace’s cross, according to replays, but Bobby Madley rejected the claims. When Wells put Semenyo through, City threatened on the counter, but his angled, rising drive flashed over the bar. Then, with O’Leary clearly outmatched, Thomas-Asante almost missed the goal with a glanced header from Conor Townsend’s cross that struck the far post. Swift curled a shot onto the bar deep into the extra time, but City had done enough and Albion was jeered out.
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