Proud Sam refuses to give up despite Albion’s unhappy end
SAM ALLARDYCE refused to throw in the towel on West Brom staying in the Premier League, despite the heartbreak of Keinan Davis’ late equaliser for Aston Villa.
The draw leaves the Baggies nine points from safety with just five games to go, with Allardyce facing the first relegation of his illustrious managerial career.
‘My players were fantastic but one slip-up at the end and we paid the price,’ he said.
‘It (staying up) is still achievable if we win four of our last five, or all five, and we have to try and do it.’
Allardyce had every reason to be proud of how Albion performed in a thrilling game despite falling behind to a tenth-minute penalty, Anwar El-Ghazi netting from the spot after Semi Ajayi had tripped Ross Barkley.
They were level midway through the first half after referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot again. Ainsley Maitland-Niles went down under faint contact from Ezri Konsa and
Matheus Pereira levelled. Emi Martinez made a brilliant stop from Maitland-Niles and Pereira hit the bar with a free-kick as West Brom finished the first half on top.
And Albion were ahead two minutes after the restart when Mbaye Diagne latched on to goalkeeper Sam Johnstone’s punt and his shot found the net via Tyrone Mings’ deflection.
However Davis, who had already hit the post after coming on as substitute, forced home his first Premier League goal in the 92nd minute, the 22-year-old’s only two previous Villa strikes having come in September 2017.
‘It’s about time, really,’ said Davis. ‘It’s been a long time but I’m delighted.’