Baggies hanging by a Silva thread
FABIO PUSHES THEM CLOSER TO EXIT
THE death knell is yet to sound on West Brom’s impending relegation – but Black Country rivals Wolves shoved them closer to the trap door.
Baggies boss Sam Allardyce admits his side now need “magic miracles and fairy-dust”.
They fell behind to a flukey opener for Fabio Silva’s fourth league goal for Wolves.
The second half saw a near monsoon and a change of referee as Mike Dean replaced the injured Paul Tierney.
The hosts did level in the 62nd minute through Mbaye Diagne. But they were unable to fashion a winner and remain 10 points below Newcastle in 17th place with four games to go.
Allardyce said: “We got better and had two magnificent chances in the second half and missed them both. I am sad for the players that they haven’t converted this into a victory.
“You look atWolves’ goal and say, ‘Why can’t we get luck like that?’ They scored one of the luckiest goals of the season.
“We are professionals and will try and win every game left – then hope every team above us loses every game and by some magic miracle and fairydust that we stay up.”
Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, fuming after a 4-0 defeat by Burnley on Sunday, switched to a back four.
The visitors nearly took the lead in the 30th minute but keeper
Sam Johnstone made a superb one-handed save to deny Nelson Semedo’s left-foot shot after he robbed Semi Ajayi. Johnstone was called into action again to keep out Vitinha’s effort from distance. Allardyce switched to a back four to stop Wolves dominating possession. It worked and West Brom were unlucky not to go ahead when Diagne header was cleared by Romain Saiss.
It paved the way for Wolves to take lead before the break after a slick move which saw Vitinha flick the ball on to Semedo, who passed to Silva.
Kyle Bartley poked the ball into the £35.6million striker’s standing leg and it looped up for a crazy opener.
Albion levelled just after the hour when Conor Townsend crossed and Diagne headed firmly into the net.
Nuno said: “There was fight against a very tough physical opponent. Overall it was good because we had young players.”
WEST BROM: Johnstone 8; Ajayi 6, Bartley 6, O’Shea 6 (Phillips 33,7); Furlong 6 Booked, Yokuslu 7, Gallagher 6, Maitland-Niles 7 Booked (Robinson 78, 6), Townsend 7; Pereira 6, Diagne 7. Goal: Diagne 62. WOLVES: Patricio 8; Semedo 7, Coady 6, Saiss 6, Ait-Nouri 7 (Kilman 82, 6); Dendoncker 6, Neves 6; Otasowie 7 (Podence 71, 6), Vitinha 8 (Gibbs-White 80, 6), Traore 6; Silva 7. Goal: Silva 45.