BEES BUZZ TO
FATHER Christmas left early, but that was a bit harsh.
A West Brom supporter dressed up as Santa and sat in the crowd but, by the 27th minute, he was on his feet and heading for Exit V23 in the new stand.
He’s obviously busy at this time of the year what with reindeer to feed, sleds to oil and all that present wrapping, but Santa could have stuck it out a bit longer even if West Brom were getting outplayed.
Brentford ran the game for the first 45 minutes, took the lead, and then gave it away in the first minute of added time.
Even at this time of the year, that’s a bit over generous.
The Christmas spirit wasn’t overflowing at West Brom, either, because manager Slaven Bilic had to deal with a prematch bust-up involving Egyptian centre-half Ahmed Hegazi.
Bilic dropped Hegazi from the squad and admitted: “Something happened yesterday on the training ground. Nothing major that I’m going to discuss or share.
“It was little things, but big enough for him not to be in the squad today.”
It is believed Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, where Bilic managed before coming to the Baggies, have made a £3.4m bid for Hegazi and he wants to go.
Hegazi missed the start of the season because of an ankle op and is unhappy about mostly being on the bench since.
The Baggies, though, still are No1 at Christmas, even if Charlie Austin couldn’t come up with a present.
Super sub Austin thought he’d done it again when he came off the bench and put an 89th minute chance away.
But Scrooge had got the flag and waved Austin offside
Austin tried to get the linesman to change his mind, waving a finger at him, but it made no difference, he wasn’t going to add to his six goals in five games, five of those after coming on as substitute.
“Brentford started the better, but all we failed to do in the second half was to score a second goal. We ran out of time,” said Bilic.
Albion got away with a penalty shout against Kyle Bartley in between the two goals. Bees boss Thomas Frank said