Calls for Mooy as Aussie sits it out on coast
drop back in almost as a supplementary full-back to help make up the numbers. Town were lucky that Charlie Austin put a header over the bar when a ball came in from the West Brom right not long after their equaliser.
But it was Town who got the next goal – the first time they have scored more than once in a game since March, and only the second time since last November.
West Brom made a hash of a goal kick, trying to play out from the back but giving it away to Elias Kachunga just outside the box. He played a quick onetwo with Chalobah and put a lovely cross in for Grant with the outside of his foot, the forward making no mistake as he scored his fifth goal of the season. That gave Town a rare lead going into the break, and the hosts looked determined after that to turn around as quickly as possible.
Tommy Elphick reacted quickly to head a bouncing Jake Livermore shot over the bar from a West Brom corner early on in the half. Phillips went close to a second but it was largely accidental – his cross from the left eluded everyone, and Town keeper Kamil Grabara reacted too late to the inswinger and was lucky to see it bounce out off the outside of the post rather than past him. Another Livermore
Town were noticeably narrower and more disciplined with their
positioning
drive from the edge of the box sent a frightener up the Town fans just after the hour mark, but flew harmlessly wide of the post.
There was only so long Town could hold such a deluge at bay, however, and having already set one up, Furlong turned goalscorer to put West Brom level once again, turning substitute Grady Diangana’s cross past Grabara.
The hosts went ahead for the first time four minutes later with Diangana again the creator, getting past Jonathan Hogg and Florent Hadergjonaj before finding Phillips with another smart cutback to score his second of the game.
Substitute Steve Mounie was agonisingly close to an instant equaliser for Town, but Kachunga’s cross was just too quick for him to turn it into the open goal.
Semi Ajayi added a late fourth for West Brom from a corner, finding space at the back post. TOWN loan star and fan favourite Aaron Mooy has been told to be patient and he will get his chance to shine in the Premier League.
The midfielder has started just one top-flight game for the Seagulls since his summer loan move and he has only made two brief appearances from the bench as well as a start in the Carabao Cup.
Town fans have said it is a huge waste of his talents and called for his return to the John Smith’s after the Terriers have struggled this season.
But 29-year-old Aussie Mooy has been told he will get his chance at his loan club – but he will have to be patient.
Albion head coach Graham Potter told the Brighton and Hove Independent : “He’s been a little bit unfortunate from a tactical perspective.
“But he adds another quality in that midfield area, keeps the ball well and can go and add a goal threat from midfield.
“He’s been working away well, he came late at the back end of the window so sometimes it’s not so easy to get into the starting XI. But he’s worked perfectly with the group and works hard every day, so I’m sure his opportunity will come.
“He’s quite an experienced guy. He knows his situation.
“When he came in, we had done a lot of pre-season and it was quite late in the window.
“That’s the downside with that sort of move.
“You have to keep patient, keep training and keep waiting for your opportunity and then football decides when you should play.”
Mooy left Town as the summer transfer window came to a close with Chelsea youngster Trevor Chalobah coming into the Town squad.
But with Town failing to win so far, Town fans have demanded a return of the midfield playmaker Mooy.
There is both a recall clause and an pre-agreed transfer fee in the structure of Mooy’s loan deal. “Yeah, that’s the nature of the deal,” said Potter.
“There’s a lot of football to be played until we make any decisions.
“The most important thing is he enjoys his football here and we can allow him to express himself on the pitch and be himself.”
You have to keep patient, keep training and keep waiting for
your opportunity