West Brom eased the pressure on head coach Ryan Mason with a 2-0 win over Sheffield United at the Hawthorns.
The Baggies had fallen to the bottom half of the Championship with six defeats in their last 10 games, but thanks to in-form striker Ohne Hegebo’s seventh goal in seven games and a thunderous strike from Karlan Grant, they have moved up to 14th place, just outside the top half on goal difference.
Sheffield United failed to get a shot on target in the second half, ending their six-game unbeaten run. Chris Wilder’s side remain in 17th place after losing their first game since November 4.
West Brom break Stirling record at home
Control of the game was exchanged in the first half, but there were few moments where either team looked like they could capitalize on the momentum.
West Brom have not lost at home since September 13th.
However, Sheffield United created the better chances. Gustavo Hammer forced a fine one-handed save from Joe Wildsmith and 25 minutes later Patrick Bamford fired straight at the Baggies goalkeeper after finding Ousmane Diakite staggering on the edge of his own box.
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Oone Heggebo scores West Brom’s first goal
The hosts took the lead less than five minutes after the restart. Heggebo fed the ball wide to the right to George Campbell, timing his run perfectly and scoring his first-time goal in style from just outside the six-yard box.
This gave West Brom momentum and by the hour mark they had extended their lead. Hegebo teed up Karlan Grant, who appeared to be tripped up by Mark McGuinness as he shaped up to thunder over the underside of the crossbar.
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Karlan Grant scores West Brom’s second goal with a bang
Between the 42nd and 79th minute, the Blades didn’t have a single shot on goal, and in the end, they had four more shots for a total xG value of 0.37, but the game was already over them.
Analysis: Should the grant’s goals have been achieved?
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Curtis Davies and Michael Brown agree that West Brom’s second goal against Sheffield United should not have happened.
Curtis Davies said on Sky Sports Football:
“For me, no, that shouldn’t have stood. Karlan Grant never meant to drag Mark McGuinness down, but if this was a striker going towards goal and the defender accidentally clipped his ankle, the striker would have been given a penalty, like in this case, or a free-kick. So even if it was just a small touch, that’s why it should have been a foul.”
Michael Brown said on Sky Sports Football:
“It’s a very, very poor decision in a game like this. He had to do it. It’s a clear foul and it changes the outcome. We want a great finish like that, but the referees need to get it right.”
Mason: Our most mature performance
West Brom head coach Ryan Mason said on Sky Sports Football:
“We played a really mature game, probably the most mature game we’ve played all season. We could feel a little anxious in the first half and we just weren’t quite there with the ball.”
“I’m very proud of the effort our players put in and the maturity they had to get through a period where we weren’t very good.
“We made good decisions and when we had our moments I thought we were outstanding. We could have scored a few more goals, but I’m happy with the win, the clean sheet and how the players are feeling right now.”
On feeling under pressure: “I know there’s a lot of negativity from the outside, I hear it, but we’re not in a bad place. We haven’t lost at home in three months. We’re three points from the play-offs. This league is so crazy and we haven’t had any momentum-building results. And that’s what we have to do.”
“I understand this league very well. When you win two or three games in a row, it completely changes the image and atmosphere from the outside. The most important thing is internally, with the group, with the players, they are still there, they still believe, they are still running, they are still fighting and today they deserved it.”
