West Brom 2 – 0 Bristol City happymamay

Micky Johnstone’s 10-minute brace gave West Brom a 2-0 win at home to Bristol City in Sunday’s Sky Bet Championship match at The Hawthorns.

The Baggies’ summer deadline day arrival from Celtic scored his first goal of the season after 34 minutes after a quiet start to proceedings.

The winger then followed up the effort with a stunning finish on the stroke of half-time as West Brom finished their final home game of 2024 victorious.

Bristol City, who have not won at this stadium since 1993, head into the Christmas period having failed to win any of their previous four matches.

John Swift looked to catch Max O’Leary off guard when West Brom took a quick free-kick but the Robins goalkeeper unorthodoxly managed to push the ball wide.

Moments later, midfielder Kyle Bartley headed over the bar, but the game, played in typical winter conditions with high winds and torrential rain, started slowly – until the moment of magic for the hosts.

Tom Fellows, behind only Middlesbrough’s Vin Azaz in the Championship decisive charts before this game, created his eighth goal of the season when he stood up a cross on the edge of the six-yard box. Despite his diminutive frame, Johnston headed home his first goal of the season.

Things got better for the Republic of Ireland international minutes later when West Brom trio Swift, Josh Maja and Alex Mowatt combined in the middle of the pitch to create another chance for Johnston, who picked up the ball on the left flank, cut inside and slotted home. Jagged shot goes past O’Leary.

The visitors almost responded before half-time when Anis Mohammadi’s cross reached the back post and Luke McNally headed in but Albion goalkeeper Alex Palmer equaled his modest effort and punched the ball over the bar.

However, Vale gave Maiolo Palmer more thought after the break when he directed a powerful shot on target that required handling.

If City were hoping to build momentum to force themselves back into the game, the momentum they were looking for failed to arrive.

In fact, West Brom looked more likely to add to their tally, first through Maja and then Fellowes. Substitute Uros Racic also stung O’Leary’s palms from the edge of the penalty area.

In the closing stages of the game, Devante Cole – West Brom’s summer signing who appeared as a substitute for only the seventh time in this match – was fed by Grady Diangana but could only fire the ball across the far post at full power.

Fortunately for him and West Brom, the job was accomplished.

Managers

Carlos Corberan, West Bromwich player:

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Bristol City Liam Manning:

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