Shilen Patel reacts with delight for Josh Maja as hat-trick fires West Brom to huge win at QPR
Shilen Patel was delighted for Josh Maja after the West Brom striker bounced back from injury hell to lead his side to victory on the opening day.
The Baggies striker scored a hat-trick as Carlos Corberan’s side went to Loftus Road and beat QPR 3-1 on 10 August, coming back from a goal down to take the points.
Albion owner Patel reacted immediately via X to praise the forward and the manager, as well as the travelling support, as the new season got off to the perfect start.
He wrote: “Great way to get the season started! So happy for Josh Maja after enduring so much last year. Great showing by the lads, Carlos Corberan, and as always by our WBA traveling support. COYB.”
Carlos Corberan secures excellent West Brom win at Loftus Road
The summer has been an uncertain one again with a host of important players leaving thanks to the ongoing financial pressures.
Okay Yokuslu and Brandon Thomas-Asante only joined the exodus in recent weeks, and with the latter leading the line for the majority of last term thanks to injury nightmares for Maja and Daryl Dike there was bound to be concern about goals.
But if the West Brom scorer can stay fit he has gone a long way already to assuaging those fears and boosting hopes of another assault on promotion.
The Baggies just beat QPR to signing of Gianluca Frabotta [Gianluca Di Marzio, 5 August] so following it up with a win against their Championship rivals completes a very positive week for the club.
Corberan and his staff have done an admirable job of restocking the squad on a budget, with Lewis Dobbin coming in on loan from Aston Villa as well ahead of the opener.
And if the much-changed playing staff can continue how they have started things will be looking up at The Hawthorns.
In other West Brom news, an “important” exit has been allowed this summer despite Corberan being a huge fan.
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