Bristol City 0 West Brom 3
Albion skipper, Jake Livermore, put in a fantastic performance at Ashton Gate as the Baggies comfortably beat play-off hopefuls, Bristol City, to extend the gap to third place to nine points.
With ten tackles, two key passes and two shots on target, it was a dominant midfield performance from Livermore. He won the ball back in the centre of the field to start the move that led to Callum Robinson’s opener while it was his shot that was parried by City goalkeeper, Daniel Bentley, to the feet of Hal Robson-Kanu for the second.
It was a game that the visitors dominated from start to finish. Eight shots on target to the Robins’ one and seventeen shots overall. The hosts edged the possession statistics but Albion never looked troubled and ran out comfortable winners
Bilić made one change to the line up bringing in Ahmed Hegazi for Kyle Bartley after the former Swansea City man had made a couple of costly errors in recent games. The Egyptian was excellent alongside Semi Ajayi and it was a performance that could see him retain his place in the side on Tuesday evening.
As a defensive unit, the Baggies were superb. Defending started up front as Pereira, Krovinović and Robinson looked to pounce early to win the ball high up the field. If the first line was breached, Livermore and Sawyers were able to mop up more often than not. When City did managed to find a way through to challenge Albion’s back line, they could find no way through.
It was a complete performance and the belief amongst the fans is growing game by game, belief that Albion will win promotion this season. Hal Robson-Kanu was immense once again, and deserved his two goals, while Conor Townsend is fast becoming the most improved player of the season – I cannot imagine him being dropped when Gibbs returns to full fitness.
The one blot on the copybook was the red card for Romaine Sawyers. It was perhaps a little harsh, and certainly out of character for a someone who is usually the coolest man on the pitch. He will be missed as he serves his ban, but it will give someone else an opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the side.
There are twelve games to go and Albion are hitting form at exactly the right time. They now have two home games as they seek to further consolidate their place at the top of the table.
Lead picture by Laurie Rampling
