TO BE FRANK CONOR IS ON WAY TO TOP

THE ball did not fizz into the back of the net quite like one of Frank Lampard’s scorchers from his pomp.

But the range, confidence and composure from Conor Gallagher on the edge of the box was reminiscent of his idol and Chelsea manager.

Gallagher’s matchwinner was his first in the Premier League and his maiden goal for Albion since a loan from his local club Chelsea. sea.

It is unlikely midfielder Gallagher (above) will ever match Lampard’s 177 Premier League goals. But this was an impressive start t for the box-to-box player, who models himself on Chelsea’s record-scorer.

Gallagher, 20, said: “Me and my family are Chelsea fans and I live 10 minutes down the road from the training ground.

“The last two years I’ve done pre-season with the first team, which has been nice since Frank Lampard took over.

“He was someone I used to base my game around. As I got older, I felt a box-to-box midfielder was the best position for me.”

Baggies manager Slaven Bilic admitted comparisons with Lampard were realistic.

“You can’t help but notice it,” said Bilic (inset). “He ticks those boxes. He plays in the same position, he has everything, and it’s not a little bit of everything, it’s a lot of everything.

“He’s going to be big. For a 20-year-old to be that reliable, have the game management to make proper decisions, and be so consistent is not normal.

“You can see big things in him.”

Gallagher now has international ambitions after breaking into the England Under-21s, having previously represented the U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20s, including winning the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017.

He said: “I always consider it an honour to play for my country and to feature in both games during g the international brea break was great.

“At England, the manager said in the last four years there were 21 p players from the Uto U-21s that went up to the senior side.

“It gives young English players hope that, if I keep performing, then I might get a chance.”

But the midfielder’s first priority this season is to help Albion stay up after they climbed out of the bottom three.

His right-foot shot from the edge of the area against the Blades paved the way for Albion’s first Premier League win of the season, before keeper Sam Johnstone blunted the visitors’ fightback.

Gallagher added: “I want to show West Brom, Chelsea and everyone that I’m a good player and can play in the Premier League.

“Staying up with West Brom is the most important aim and it would mean so much to me to do that.”