The Hawthorns came alive on Saturday afternoon as West Bromwich Albion produced a composed and convincing display to overcome Preston North End 2-1 in a match that underlined their growing confidence under manager Carlos Corberán. Goals from Mikey Johnston and Isaac Price sealed a valuable three points for the Baggies, who showcased both discipline and flair in equal measure. Although Preston managed to reduce the deficit late in the game, West Brom held firm to claim a win that keeps their promotion hopes very much on track.
It was a performance marked by energy, tactical precision, and a sense of purpose — traits that have become synonymous with Corberán’s tenure. The result was not just a reflection of individual brilliance but also a testament to the collective maturity developing within this West Brom side.
A Bright Start Sets the Tone
From the very first whistle, West Brom looked sharp and focused. Corberán’s men set up in their familiar 3-4-2-1 formation, designed to control possession and transition quickly through the wings. Mikey Johnston and Grady Diangana provided the width, while Brandon Thomas-Asante led the line with his typical intensity.
Preston, under Ryan Lowe, opted for a more pragmatic approach. The visitors deployed a compact 4-3-3, hoping to frustrate West Brom and hit them on the counter through the pace of Liam Millar and Will Keane. For the opening 10 minutes, their plan seemed to hold — until Johnston, on loan from Celtic, began to find space between the lines.
It was evident that Johnston was in the mood. His touch was assured, his movement clever, and his link-up play with Conor Townsend down the left flank repeatedly stretched Preston’s defensive shape. The Northern Irish winger’s influence would soon prove decisive.
Johnston Breaks the Deadlock with Style
In the 18th minute, The Hawthorns erupted. A sweeping move that began deep in West Brom’s half saw Okay Yokuşlu play a crisp pass into John Swift, who turned elegantly before feeding Diangana. Spotting Johnston darting inside from the left, Diangana threaded a perfectly weighted ball into his path.
Johnston took one touch to steady himself and another to open up his body before curling a right-footed effort into the far corner beyond Freddie Woodman. It was a goal of class, precision, and confidence — the kind of finish that fans dream of seeing from their wide players.
The celebration that followed was full of joy and relief. Johnston, who has had a mixed spell of form in previous weeks, roared toward the home supporters, thumping the club crest on his shirt. His teammates swarmed around him, acknowledging not just the goal, but the importance of his resurgence.
The strike seemed to energize West Brom further. They began to move the ball with fluidity, pressing Preston high and forcing errors in midfield. The visitors, shaken, struggled to retain possession as Albion’s pressing traps began to suffocate them.
Preston’s Struggles to Find Rhythm
Preston North End, to their credit, tried to regroup. Captain Alan Browne urged his side to push forward, while Ben Whiteman attempted to dictate tempo from deep. But every time they ventured forward, they ran into the defensive wall marshaled by Cedric Kipré and Kyle Bartley.
Will Keane had a half-chance in the 29th minute when Millar’s cross found him at the near post, but his glancing header drifted narrowly wide. It was a reminder that Preston remained dangerous in transition, even if their opportunities were few and far between.
West Brom, however, continued to dominate proceedings. Yokuşlu and Price controlled the midfield battle with authority, recycling possession intelligently and keeping the tempo high. Corberán’s system worked to perfection — when the ball was lost, five players immediately pressed to regain it, forcing Preston into rushed clearances and misplaced passes.
By halftime, the home side had registered seven attempts to Preston’s two, with 63% possession — statistics that reflected the gulf in control between the two sides.
A Tactical Chess Match After the Interval
Ryan Lowe made changes at the break, bringing on Emil Riis Jakobsen to provide more attacking impetus. The Danish striker’s physicality did cause West Brom’s defenders a few early problems, but the Baggies quickly adjusted their shape to nullify the threat.
Corberán, meanwhile, urged his players to stay composed and avoid complacency. The Spaniard’s philosophy has always been built around control — not just of possession, but of emotion. His side responded well, managing the tempo without dropping intensity.
The next big moment came in the 58th minute, when Johnston nearly doubled his tally. A slick one-two between him and Thomas-Asante saw the winger burst into the box, only for Woodman to pull off a superb save at point-blank range. The rebound fell kindly to Diangana, but his effort was cleared off the line by Andrew Hughes.
Preston survived — but only just. Their defense, stretched and disorganized, looked one mistake away from conceding again. That mistake came soon enough.
Isaac Price Doubles the Advantage
Just after the hour mark, West Brom’s relentless pressure finally paid off. From a short corner routine, Swift played the ball to Townsend, who whipped in a dangerous cross toward the edge of the area. The initial clearance fell to Isaac Price — and the young midfielder made no mistake.
With calm precision, Price struck a low, powerful drive through a crowd of players. The ball took a slight deflection and nestled into the bottom corner, leaving Woodman stranded. The roar from the stands was deafening as the 20-year-old celebrated what was arguably his finest moment in an Albion shirt so far.
Price’s goal epitomized everything that Corberán demands from his players — composure under pressure, positional awareness, and technical execution. It was also a reflection of the trust placed in youth, as the manager continues to integrate emerging talents into the first team setup.
At 2-0, the Baggies looked in full control. The midfield trio of Yokuşlu, Swift, and Price dictated play with authority, while the backline remained solid. Every pass, every movement carried confidence. The fans, too, sensed that this was a team not just playing well, but evolving.
Preston’s Late Surge and the Twist in the Tale
Football, however, rarely follows a straightforward script. With 10 minutes remaining, Preston pulled one back against the run of play. Substitute Emil Riis took advantage of a rare lapse in concentration from West Brom’s defense, ghosting between Bartley and Furlong to meet Millar’s teasing cross with a powerful header into the roof of the net.
Suddenly, it was game on. The goal injected belief into the visitors, and for the first time in the match, Albion found themselves pinned back. Ryan Lowe threw caution to the wind, sending his full-backs higher and urging his midfielders to press aggressively.
The final minutes were tense. Preston won a series of corners and free kicks, each one met with loud cheers from their traveling supporters. In the 89th minute, Whiteman’s curling free kick nearly found the top corner, but Alex Palmer was alert, producing a stunning fingertip save to preserve the lead.
As stoppage time ticked away, Corberán urged calm from the touchline. His players responded by slowing the tempo, drawing fouls, and maintaining possession smartly in Preston’s half. When the referee’s whistle finally sounded, the collective sigh of relief was audible across the stadium.
Corberán’s Tactical Masterclass
This victory was as much about tactical intelligence as individual quality. Carlos Corberán once again proved why he is considered one of the most methodical minds in English football. His team executed the game plan almost perfectly — controlling possession, creating overloads on the flanks, and pressing with coordinated intensity.
In his post-match comments, Corberán emphasized the importance of discipline:
“We were brave in how we pressed and composed in how we built. The team showed maturity, and even when Preston pushed late, we kept our structure. This is how we must continue if we want to stay competitive.”
His words reflect a growing confidence not just in his players but in the system itself. West Brom are playing with identity — a clear, modern style that combines technical quality with work ethic.
Johnston’s Revival and Price’s Emergence
Mikey Johnston’s performance was particularly eye-catching. The Celtic loanee has endured spells of inconsistency, but this game showed exactly why Corberán has persisted with him. His pace, directness, and ability to create one-on-one situations give Albion a new attacking dimension.
After the match, Johnston spoke about his growing connection with the team:
“I’m really enjoying my football here. The gaffer has given me freedom to express myself, but also the responsibility to work for the team. The atmosphere today was incredible — it gives you that extra spark.”
For Isaac Price, the goal was another step forward in his rapid development. The young midfielder has quietly become one of West Brom’s most reliable performers, blending technical ability with tactical awareness beyond his years. His composure on the ball and willingness to drive forward have added dynamism to Albion’s midfield.
Also Read:
