Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
×
×
Notification products, updates
September 15, 2024
After Josh Maja became the Championship’s leading goalscorer, Alex Mowatt’s brace sent West Brom top of the table with a clinical 3-0 victory over winless Portsmouth.
In the first minute, the in-form Maja bagged his fifth goal of the season – with only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland scoring more goals in the top four divisions this season. Mowatt struck twice after the break to put the unbeaten Baggies a point ahead of Sunderland at the summit.
For the fifth time this season, Albion started without a change, taking the lead 54 seconds in after Tom Fellows was given space by a quick throw-in down the right flank, which allowed him to outpace Connor Ogilvie and cut back to the center of the box.
Maja took it well and beat Will Norris, netting five goals from nine attempts this year. No one has assisted on more goals in the Premier League or EFL this season than Fellows, who now has four assists.
It was the beginning of a ding-dong first forty-five minutes, with both sides going all out. Although Pompey possessed greater possession and posed a more significant threat, their best opportunity for a quick counterattack came from their press, which exposed West Brom on several occasions.
The attacking midfielder’s attempt was narrowly missed. Still, Mowatt was the worst offender when Calum Lang picked him off. On the other side, Fellows came close to adding a goal to his assist when he cut in and curled a daisy-cutting effort just past the post. Still, Karlan Grant’s powerful drive from the opposite flank stung Norris’ fingertips.
However, Maja was always on the lookout and had the best opportunity to make it 2-0. The striker slipped in at the back post to meet a long throw from Darnell Furlong that had eluded everyone in the middle. However, a flying Norris somehow stopped the ball from crossing the goal line, with the goal decision system indicating that millimeters stood in the way. After that, Fellows outran Ogilvie again before lifting to the back post, but Grant could not hold down his header.
In the second half, Albion got off to a fast start once more, and six minutes after the break, Mowatt scored the team’s second goal. The midfielder began the attack on the halfway line, and after some deft play by Grant and John Swift, the ball was returned to Mowatt, who finished calmly in the top corner.
Murphy struck wide of the goal as Pompey’s attempts to get back into the game were unsuccessful.
Mowatt scored the opposite corner of his goal in stoppage time to send the 2,159 Baggies supporters home in joy.
Three things were evident well before the final whistle:
In addition to Burnley’s defensive efforts, Parker’s team owed a great deal of gratitude to Trafford for securing a victory that will undoubtedly boost spirits when the promotion spots are determined in the spring, and the second-tier music ends.
“A very big three points for us,” said Parker. “This is a tough place to come but we showed great grit and determination. And James Trafford was brilliant.”
Daniel Farke looked suitably dismayed. “Burnley are a good side but we didn’t take our chances,” said the Leeds manager. “Their goalkeeper was really good but we weren’t effective in the decisive moments.”
Attending his first match at Elland Road since the Hollywood star became a minority investor in Leeds, Will Ferrell left disappointed by Luca Koleosho’s game-winning goal. Still, he was almost in the driver’s seat within forty-five seconds.
Ferrell appeared ready to celebrate when Maxime Estève made a mistake, and Mateo Joseph found himself clear with the goal at his disposal. Instead, the striker hesitated briefly and possibly overanalyzed his placement as Trafford closed the distance and missed the target, causing Farke to shake his head.
Bamford was left off the German roster because he wasn’t quite match-fit, but Joseph doesn’t seem prepared to lead a push for promotion.
Koleosho promptly demonstrated to him how to finish. The 19-year-old took advantage of Manor Solomon’s unlucky slip, racing about 70 yards before slipping a shot between Jayden Bogle’s legs and past Illan Meslier’s unsighted reach.
Parker was jubilant as Farke pulled his signature Parka close to his body as if experiencing an unexpected blast of fall cold. “Luca’s young and needs refining, but he’s going to be massive for us this season,” said Parker. “Not many players could run so far, so fast, and have the calmness to finish like that.”
The manager of Burnley had braved the blazing Yorkshire sunshine, dressed in a lightweight jacket and a cleanly knotted slim tie. In fact, the former England midfielder appears more like a Serie A head coach than a Championship manager these days with his swept-back, flawlessly coiffed collar-length hair and perfectly polished brown shoes.
Parker’s tactical sharpness extended beyond his sartorial choices. After starting with a high press but struggling to contain Leeds, he adapted Burnley’s approach to a more defensive, counterattacking strategy that frustrated Farke’s side.
Leeds should have had a penalty when Joe Worrall caught Tottenham loanee Solomon late from behind. Despite that, Burnley’s lead was expertly safeguarded by goalkeeper James Trafford.
The England U21 keeper, who attracted a £20m bid from Newcastle this summer, made a stunning acrobatic save to deny Joseph’s swerving shot. Earlier, he had charged down Wilfried Gnonto’s effort and later saved well from Ethan Ampadu as Leeds, despite dominating possession, struggled to break through.
Their frustrations mounted as Burnley’s defenders, well-versed in time-wasting tactics, consistently second-guessed their moves. In the nearly 10 minutes of stoppage time, Chelsea loanee Bashir Humphreys was sent off after receiving a second yellow card, extinguishing any hope for Farke’s side.
As the disgruntled Leeds crowd began to leave, Parker stood watching Burnley’s players celebrate their gritty win. Each took turns embracing Trafford before the goalkeeper was wrapped in a long, emotional hug from his manager.
Be your team’s biggest fan! Explore our site to show them how much you believe in them.
Footballnewstoday | La Liga 2 | Saudi Pro League | Major League Soccer | J League | EFL Championship | Brazilian Serie A
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
Stay Tuned With Updates