Thanks for the memories (and the 3 points...)

An emotional but happy return for Corberan

CARLOS CORBERAN admits he was going through emotions he has never felt before – after Mikey Johnston inspired West Brom’s dramatic turnaround.

The Baggies boss wasreturning to face Huddersfield Town for the first time since leaving the Terriers’ following their 2022 Championship play-off final defeat.

The Spaniard could celebrate his current team cementing their place in the play-off zone - but Albion kept his old pals at Huddersfield in deep trouble.

West Brom had been very poor in the first half and deservedly trailed 1-0 but Johnston struck twice after the break and set up a stunning goal by Turkey midfielder Okay Yokuslu.

In-form Johnston, on loan from Celtic, has scored six goals in seven games – and helped the team score four in a 22-minute purple patch.

Corberan said: “I never had this feeling before that I had here. I came with full determination to win but I have a lot of memories of this place. It’s a club that’s been important for me.

“Of course I am sad to see them fighting relegation. I know a lot of players in that dressing room. They had a massive impact on my career. In management, it’s not about us only.”

On Johnston, Corberan (below) said: “His contribution has been exceptional. We speak about Phil Foden at Man City wanting more – and the mentality should be to go for more.”

Albion had an alarmingly sluggish first half, creating little - and deservedly went into halftime behind.

Huddersfield’s goal came when Tom Lees’ battling work led Delano Burgzorg to score with an

angled strike. Baggies goalkeeper Alex Palmer should have done better as the ball squirmed under him.

With no shots in the first half, it couldn’t get much worse for the visitors. There was a response early in the second period.

But West Brom, who had not won after conceding first in Championship this season, emerged from the break with renewed intensity to put that statistic right.

The equaliser came when Andreas Weimann escaped offside claims and supplied Johnston to score.

Corberan’s men went in front when impressive, returning Kyle Bartley bundled the ball in during a scramble for an untidy goal.

The Baggies’ next strike was far more spectacular as Johnston weaved past several defenders to tee up Yokuslu to smash in his first goal of the season from 30 yards.

Albion were dominant and dangerous Johnston drove forward then fired in the fourth – through the legs of goalkeeper Lee Nicholls.

Huddersfield boss Andre Breitenreiter said: “The first half was one of the best we’ve done this season but you have to play over 90 minutes.”