Bilic hails Robinson as Albion win at last Top of the table
Brom are going up in world
WEST BROM boss Slaven Bilic hailed new signing Callum Robinson after his star turn in the win over Luton.
Robinson, signed on loan from Sheffield United for the rest of the season, had a big hand in Albion’s opener — when Donervon Daniels put through his own goal against his old club — and was a constant threat on his debut.
Semi Ajayi’s 70th-minute header sealed a first league win since December 14 for Bilic’s side, who went back to the top.
Bilic said: ‘He did extremely well for his first game especially. He’s a player who we wanted in the summer. He wanted to come but he opted for a Premier League move which is normal.
‘When we heard about the possibility he might be available, we acted straight away because there were other clubs who found out, but it was too late.
‘He’s a player we wanted because he can attack space, he’s a winger and a striker so he’s always in the box, which is what you want, and he’s also moving when other people are on the ball.
‘When he’s one-on-one with the ball at his feet, he’s a really good player.’
The result made it 11 straight away league defeats for Luton and a miserable return to The Hawthorns for Daniels and fellow former Albion men Izzy Brown and Callum McManaman, plus manager Graeme Jones.
Robinson made an immediate impact. The 24-year-old sidefooted a first-time effort straight at goalkeeper Simon Sluga in Albion’s opening attack.
But he made an even more telling contribution with his next foray forward.
The former Preston attacker whipped in a cross from the left and centre-back Daniels could only stab the ball into his own net from inside the six-yard box as he tried to prevent the ball reaching Charlie Austin.
Luton tried to respond and Kazenga Lualua whistled a curling effort narrowly over the bar.
Luton had the ball in the net in the 34th minute, but James Collins was ruled offside after PellyRuddock Mpanzu’s shot had been blocked and Harry Cornick touched on deep inside the box.
Robinson continued to be the main threat and his shot was held by Simon Sluga at the near post after the winger cut inside. Matty Pearson saved Luton from conceding again when he hacked
Austin’s goalbound flick away from point-blank range after Filip Krovinovic touched on Phillips’s cross.
Luton missed a golden chance to equalise in the 55th minute. Lualua crossed from the left for the unmarked Mpanzu, but instead of shooting, the midfielder opted to take a touch, which enabled defenders to block his shot.
Albion went desperately close to doubling their lead when substitute Hal Robson-Kanu crossed and Phillips forced a superb flying save from Sluga.
Two minutes later, Albion got the second goal their pressure deserved. Phillips twisted and turned inside Mpanzu before crossing from the right for Ajayi to head home unmarked.