LOAN-STAR GAYLE KEEPS PRESSURE ON LEAGUE LEADERS
WEST BROM fans sang “sign him up’’ as they saluted hat-trick hero Dwight Gayle and boss Darren Moore admitted: “You can understand why.’’
Gayle took his tally to 13 goals since joining on loan from Newcastle in an August deal that sent Salomon Rondon in the opposite direction.
Moore, whose side kept up the pressure on top two Norwich and Leeds, said: “Dwight is a potent striker, which his record shows. He illustrated here why we wanted him at the club. We’re delighted he’s with us. He scores goals but he does tremendous work for the team.’’
On the prospect of making Gayle’s move permanent next month, Moore added: “We’ve not even spoken about that.’’
Leicester loanee Harvey Barnes netted his ninth for the Baggies as they made it a magnificent seven games unbeaten with a fourth consecutive away win – the first time in more than 10 years they have achieved the latter feat. Struggling Rotherham’s misery was complete when Ryan Manning’s 76th-minute penalty hit a post – with celebratory music embarrassingly blaring out briefly over the tannoy as the ball came back off the woodwork.
But boss Paul Warne said: “Could we have played any better? I’m not sure we could. We missed a penalty, which sums up the day. I don’t think we deserved to lose 4-0 – it wasn’t like we took an absolute trouncing. This league is disgusting.”
Rotherham 0 West Brom 4
Park.
Gareth Evans put Pompey ahead from the penalty spot at the start of the second half after Glenn Loovens was sent off for bringing down Oli Hawkins when he was clean through on goal.
Curtis extended the lead after 53 minutes but Luke O’Nien quickly responded for the 10 men. The Black Cats’ comeback hopes were ended after 63 minutes when Ben Thompson (above) made it 3-1 with a deflected shot.
remain on Portsmouth’s coat-tails in second place after goals from Jack Stacey and James Collins, from the penalty spot, gave them a 2-0 home victory over Carabao Cup semi-finalists
At the other end of the table,
climbed out of the relegation places with a 2-0 win against who had Cameron Burgess sent off midway through the second half.
There was late drama at the Keepmoat Stadium between
and as each team scored in injury time in a 2-2 draw.
James Clarke’s injury-time strike gave managerless a 2-1 home win against
Luton Burton. Scunthorpe, Oxford Bristol Rovers Fleetwood.