A three-goal first half blitz was enough to give West Bromwich Albion a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace as the Eagles’ poor run continued at The Hawthorns.

Match Summary

Goals from Craig Gardner, Craig Dawson and Saido Berahino saw the Baggies three up inside 31 minutes. Connor Wickham capitalised on a defensive mistake to pull one back for Alan Pardew’s men just after half time, and added a brilliant second late on, but they could not complete the comeback.

The result leaves Palace winless in their last ten Premier League games and sliding worryingly towards the relegation dogfight.

Full Report

West Brom were quick out of the traps at The Hawthorns with Gardner especially influential. He tapped in the opener after following in Salomon Rondon’s saved effort, and then delivered a pinpoint free kick for Dawson to add a headed second.

The game looked to be dead and buried just after the half hour, with Berahino latching onto a brilliant Stephane Sessegnon long pass to coolly slot home a third.

However, the hosts appeared to take their foot off the gas after the break and Palace did not waste any time in taking advantage.

Veteran central defender Jonas Olsson failed to deal with a routine ball over the top, and Wickham pounced to lob the ball over the advancing Ben Foster before putting it in the open net to pull one back.

Even then, it looked like West Brom had weathered the storm and would cruise to victory, but Wickham once again had other ideas.

With ten minutes remaining, the former Sunderland man brilliantly volleyed his second into the top corner to breath fresh life into his side.

Indeed, a reinvigorated Palace did once again rally, and West Brom were indebted to Gardner again minutes later when he headed Scott Dann’s header off the line to ultimately secure the points.

Source Foxsports