BEVERLY HILLS, January 16, (THEWILL) – Coach Sam Allardyce, brought in specifically to help West Bromwich Albion avoid relegation, has achieved something the English Premier League side had not seen in almost seven years: scoring three goals away from home in a league tie. And, taking that into perspective with the fact that it is only his sixth game in charge, he appears to be on the right path to fulfilling his mission.
Albion, on Saturday, came from behind to claim victory in the Black Country derby. They needed two penalties and Brazilian winger Matheus Pereira rose to the occasion to drive in both spot-kicks and help them defeat Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux.
It is Allardyce’s first win with the team and their second in the league this season and though they are still enmeshed in the relegation backwaters, it will do their optimism so much good because it will embolden Allardyce to continue the changes he is introducing to his charges and bolster their determination to avoid a drop from the top flight.
The two infringements that led to the spot-kicks were similar. Both came from clumsy tackles from behind on Callum Robinson, by Willy Boly and Conor Coady, leaving the referee Michael Oliver no choice but to point to the spot on both occasions.
For each, Pereira sent Wolves keeper Rui Patricio the wrong way. While the first penalty opened the scoring after eight minutes to Albion’s advantage, the second won the game for Allardyce after 11 minutes of the second half played.
Although Wolves centre back Boli gave a good account of himself, he caused a penalty, and there was not enough to salvage the game for the hosts. The Nigerian centre back Semi Ajayi helped his side to level the scores with a header straight after the restart, providing the boost they needed to believe it was their game to win.
When Pereira’s second penalty went in on 56 minutes, there was still a lot of time for anything to happen, yet there was the palpable air around the team that the “Big Sam” magic was alive and kicking in the Molineux.
This season’s reputation for goalscoring and the unpredictable was at an overdrive. Five goals were on the scoresheet in less than an hour and, in a shocking turn of events, it was the team second from bottom, who had had only one win so far, with the higher tally of the goals.
The elation of the Albion team at the final whistle was heartwarming. Each player fist-bumped their manager Allardyce as they walked off the pitch and down the tunnel. The Big man had done it and they could hope for survival in the Premiership with more of such performances and results and some measure of good fortune as well.
Allardyce’s Albion moves up to 11 points with Saturday’s victory which is significantly crucial to their desire for the season and Allardyce’s mission as manager: survival. Although, just above them is Fulham on 12 points, the 18th-placed side has two games in hand, having played only 16 compared to Albion’s 18 matches so far.
Yet, Albion can hope there is more from Allardyce to keep them firing as they did against Wolves. That might just be enough to keep them up.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
