ROD RATTLES SORRY CITY Rodriguez double gives Baggies lift Jackson a thriller Tam & Yan lift Bruce
West Brom
4
Bristol City
2 JAY RODRIGUEZ brought Bristol City’s unbeaten run to a juddering halt.
The England man scored twice as Baggies recorded a fifth straight victory at the Hawthorns in all competitions.
Lee Johnson’s City side arrived at the Hawthorns on the back of four straight wins – triumphs that had put them within sight of the Championship summit.
But reaching it never looked likely after penalty king Rodriguez slotted home the first from the spot. That sparked Darren Moore’s side into life and they had rattled up a three-goal lead by the interval with strikes from Dwight Gayle and a second from from Rodriguez – both set up by playmaker Harvey Barnes. However, that scoreline flattered Baggies and it was no surprise when Lloyd Kelly pulled a goal back on the hour for City.
But Barnes supplied a lovely finish to restore the three-goal lead and not even a fine effort from City sub Famara Diedhiou to reduce the arrears could take the gloss from Albion’s great night.
Baggies drew first blood with their first attack. Referee Jeremy Simpson pulled play back after a goalmouth scramble came to nothing, penalising Adam Webster for a foul on Gayle.
Rodriguez stepped up to convert the penalty – and then Barnes got to work. He collected a throw from keeper Sam Johnstone and ran 50 yards before slipping the ball to Gayle, who netted his fourth of the campaign. Barnes then crossed for Rodriguez to sidefoot his second.
It looked like a fightback was on when Kelly stabbed home on the hour but City were again undone too easily. Gayle fed Barnes, who found the top corner.
Diedhiou took advantage of yet more slack defensive work to reduce the arrears but West Brom held on.
Ipswich
2 0 STEVE BRUCE’S two latest signings bagged home debut goals to keep the boss’s critics off his back. Loanees Tammy Abraham and Yannick Bolasie struck either side of half-time to hand Villa victory. Goals from the Chelsea striker (above) and Everton winger were a boost for Bruce, who has come under pressure from fans.
Villa broke the deadlock on 28 minutes as Jack Grealish fed Jonathan Kodjia, whose flick released Abraham for a cool finish. And with eight minutes left, sub Bolasie headed home.
Villa
1
Brentford
KAYDEN JACKSON netted his first league goal to earn bottom side Ipswich a point.
The £1.6million striker from Accrington may also have saved manager Paul Hurst’s job. Hurst, who only left Shrewsbury in the summer, admitted this week he feared the sack at Town.
And his prospects dimmed when the Championship’s top scorer, Neal Maupay (above), headed the Bees in front.
But Jackson’s reply has earned Hurst a stay of execution, although he still awaits his first win with the Tractor Boys.
Jackson might even have earned an unlikely victory when he burst through in stoppage time, but his fierce shot flew high and wide.
CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE Rotherham
1