IN THE BAGG: Thomas-asante nets for West Brom Brilliant Brandon goes on spree as Rovers collapse

WEST BROM were last night thanking their lucky stars that Brandon Thomas-asante did not make the Ghana cut for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Baggies striker was included in the Black Stars provisional squad but not in the final list, releasing him to create carnage against besieged Blackburn.

His involvement in two goals in three first-half minutes, following a Tom Fellows opener, virtually wrapped up the three points for Carlos Corberan’s side, who are looking strong favourites to

West Brom claim a promotion play-off spot.

Thomasasante believed that he was in for a hat-trick only for Albion’s third strike to be ruled as a Dominic Hyam own goal.

Baggies boss Corberan said: “For me, it’s important to score four goals to win the game. I don’t care if Asante or Alex Palmer (the goalkeeper) scored.

“I don’t know if it was his goal or an own goal. You need to review and then let me know in the week.”

For Rovers and anxious boss Jon Dahl Tomasson things are going downhill fast. It is now five defeats in the last six league games.

He admitted: “We now have four home games on the bounce. We need to stay together. The players need help, the staff need help, the fans need help.

“Hopefully, it will come in the transfer window.”

They might have known what was coming – but Rovers could not prevent the Baggies cashing in on the weapon which is Darnell Furlong’s long throw.

An 11th-minute howitzer caused chaos in the congested six-yard box and Fellows headed in at the far post for his first league goal, following on from his FA Cup strike against Aldershot a week earlier.

Fellows, on loan at League Two Crawley Town last season, has emerged from the Albion academy and is already a hit with the home fans, who

are hoping for Blackburn an FA Cup fourth-round visit of bitter rivals Wolves.

Thomasasante then took this game away from ragged Rovers with visiting defender Hyam the fall guy at the double.

First his misguided headed clearance was seized by Thomas-asante – and he drilled it brilliantly past Leopold Wahlstedt.

Then he was guilty of bundling the ball over the line under pressure from Thomas-asante.

The striker thought he had got the final touch after a Kyle Bartley header had bobbled between the pair. But it was not to be.

Rovers gave themselves hope when Jake Garrett made it 3-1 – but they were soundly beaten.