Robinson equaliser rewards high-octane Baggies

AS THE sun dipped behind a cloud, the Bournemouth players gathered in a final huddle. Around them, English football gulped in a huge lungful of air. After 18 months, normality had never looked or sounded so good. There have been recent glimpses of better days but last night marked the return of the Championship in all its cacophonous, cramped and chaotic glory. And, thankfully, the decibels barely dipped as Bournemouth and West Bromwich served up a Friday night firecracker for 9,257 fans. Twice Bournemouth led — through Emiliano Marcondes and then Philip Billing. Twice the Baggies hauled themselves level via Dara O’Shea and Callum Robinson (right). At the end of it all, they share top spot. That’s where these sides will hope to be at the end of another slog towards the Premier League. Both have new managers and both Scott Parker and Valerien Ismael will take plenty of heart from these early signs. Marcondes netted the final goal of the 2020-21 Championship season, which sealed Brentford’s promotion to the promised land. The hope here is that the midfielder’s opening strike of this campaign will represent a first step on Bournemouth’s own march back to the top flight. After play-off heartbreak last season, the home fans sensed a good omen. ‘We are top of the league,’ rang around on 12 minutes after Marcondes — signed on a free this summer — swept home Jaidon Anthony’s low cross. Alas, their lead lasted barely past the half hour. Ismael has challenged his relegated Baggies to be ‘unpleasant’ to face. There were flashes of that high-octane, high-pressing style but it was from a set-piece that the visitors put themselves back on level terms. After his throw-in had been halfcleared, Conor Townsend curled a cross on to the head of O’Shea, who made no mistake from six yards. Bournemouth keeper Mark Travers was beaten again a few minutes later, after another set-play caused chaos. This time, though, Robinson’s poked finish was ruled out for a foul elsewhere. If the Cherries appeared to be clinging on by

the end of the first half, they began the second by wresting back control. Parker’s side were in front once more after Jordan Zemura — another academy lad — saw his cross pushed out to Billing, who coolly slotted into the empty net. But West Brom would not lie down — even without Matheus Pereira, who joined Saudi club Al-Hilal yesterday. Twenty-three minutes from time, Robinson finished a fine move for 2-2. There could have been more. David Button made smart saves from David Brooks and Dominic Solanke. At the other end, Karlan Grant curled agonisingly wide. We could get used to this, you know.