Alan Shearer puts West Brom hotshot in his PL Team of the Week
Alan Shearer has named West Brom star Matheus Pereira in his Premier League Team of the Week after his match-winning performance in the Black Country Derby.
Pereira inspired a second-half turnaround against Wolves on January 16 as Albion fought back from 2-1 down to overcome their bitter rivals 3-2 in a fierce encounter.
Pereira scored two penalties at Molineux a week after missing the crucial spot-kick in West Brom’s disappointing FA Cup shoot-out defeat to League One Blackpool.
Sam Allardyce’s side travelled to West Ham three days later and lost 2-1 at the London Stadium but Pereira scored once again to take his tally to four in his last three for the Baggies.
His impressive run of form has been recognised by the Premier League’s all-time record goalscorer Shearer who named him as West Brom’s sole representative in his Team of the Week for matchday 19, as revealed on Twitter.
Pereira will have a tough task on his hands to retain his place for the next team of the week as Albion host Manchester City in their next fixture, though a match four days later against relegation rivals Fulham might offer some more joy.
Producing the goods
This show of recognition by one of the Premier League’s most historic players is a mark of how much Pereira has improved in recent weeks.
His future at The Hawthorns looked bleak after reports of contract unrest at the club.
Things did not look much better on the pitch for the Brazilian as he was named on the bench against Liverpool and Leeds United in December, the first matches he was available to play under new boss Allardyce.
Pereira was named in an unfamiliar centre forward role against Blackpool in the FA Cup on January 9 as the Baggies exited the competition and made it five games without a win under Big Sam.
However he has come roaring back to form and looks to be back to his best in the last two matches against Wolves and West Ham.
Perhaps the recent arrival of Robert Snodgrass has caused Pereira to up his game and produce some more consistency.
Eithe way Albion fans will be hoping he can keep it up and save the strugglers from relegation to the Championship with the side now six points off safety.
In other West Brom news, Albion step up efforts to sign £120k p/w striker.
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