(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Sat 18 April 2026 16:54, UK

West Bromwich Albion picked up another huge result in the Championship, seeing off Preston North End 2-0 away from home this Saturday.

James Morrison watched on as his side took the lead early through a Josh Maja strike, as Darly Dike’s first of the season in the 77th minute wrapped up victory.

It goes without saying, but it’s a huge result, especially considering how the relegation picture took another game before the game kicked off in Lancashire, as Portsmouth beat Leicester City 1-0.

Morrison had plenty of positives to take, and as things stand, the Black Country Club are five points away from the relegation zone.

West Brom could still survive in the Championship, despite ongoing PSR issues following this win.

Isaac Price danced through Preston’s defence

Isaac Price received criticism for his display against Millwall last Friday, but he once again proved why he is the man for Albion to build around at Deepdale.

He was the catalyst for Maja’s early strike, dancing through several of the Lilywhites’ players before playing a perfectly weighted ball into the box, where the Baggies ended up scoring from.

As seen in the table above, Price won 100 per cent of his aerial duels, won two of his ground duels and also completed one dribble, which was arguably the most important sequence of the game.

Once again, he did have some sloppy moments in the second half, but that comes as a result of his willingness to make things happen.

He had 79 per cent passing accuracy, which highlights this, but having him in form is possibly the biggest bonus that Baggies fans could ask for.

Ousmane Diakite wasn’t at his best vs Preston

Ousmane Diakite has been fantastic for the Baggies in the second half of the season, thoroughly earning fresh terms at The Hawthorns.

However, he was far from his best at Deepdale and looked very lethargic on the ball and wasteful when he did get the opportunity to do something.

• Diakite had 68 touches
• He has now started eight games in a row for West Brom

The Mali midfielder had 0 per cent crossing accuracy and made nine defensive contributions while making no impact going forward.

There was also a moment in the second half when he got in the way of Max O’Leary claiming the ball from a Preston long throw-in, which, as described on WBA TV, would have been one of the “worst own goals you’ve ever seen”.

Thankfully, goals from Maja and Dike were enough to see out the game, as Diakite will hopefully be back to his best in the next one.

West Brom are unbeaten in eight, and things are looking bright despite worry from the EFL.

West Brom player ratings vs Preston

Max O’Leary – 6

Callum Styles – 7

Nat Phillips – 7

George Campbell – 7

Danny Imray – 7

Isaac Price – 8

Alex Mowatt – 8

Ousmane Diakite – 6

Jayson Molumby – 7

Aune Heggebo – 7

Josh Maja – 7

Substitutes

Ollie Bostock – N/A

Daryl Dike – 7

Karlan Grant – 5