West Bromwich Albion’s hopes for back-to-back victories were dashed as they fought to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Swansea City at the Swansea.com Stadium. The Baggies opened the scoring through Tom Fellows, but were left lamenting dropped points when Joe Allen grabbed an equalizer deep in stoppage time. Albion’s interim head coach, Chris Brunt, described the late goal as feeling like defeat, highlighting the club's struggle to capitalize on momentum during games.
Brunt, taking charge of the team since Carlos Corberan’s departure, saw his side take the lead during the second half when substitute Fellow’s powerful effort found the back of the net. At 1-0 up, the visitors appeared to be on course for victory, but the tide turned just moments before the final whistle. A late header from Allen meant the Baggies had to settle for just one point, adding to the growing frustration among the management and fans alike.
Reflecting on the match, Brunt stated, “Yeah I think on the whole we probably didn't deserve it for Swansea to equalise. We had a lot of opportunities...but if you don't get the second to kill it off, there's always the possibility. That was the one time someone got in between our lads.” The team’s inability to extend their lead proved costly, and the match outcome left them with just five points from four games under the interim management.
The game featured moments where Albion had the upper hand, particularly after breaking the deadlock. Players like Jayson Molumby showed resilience and creativity, engaging the Swansea defense and directing plays effectively. Molumby, who was rated highly during the match, contributed significantly to the Baggies' build-up play, helping secure the lead with his incisive passing.
Defensively, though, the team struggled to maintain their form when it counted. After Fellows’ goal, the defense had to hold firm against Swansea's late pressure. A lapse allowed experienced player Allen to find space for the decisive goal, which Brunt recognized as a culmination of the usual struggles his players have faced when trying to seal results. “When you get the first you need to get the second,” he said. “You're going to be under pressure naturally... unfortunately we couldn't deal with one last ball.”
The match also highlighted moments of individual brilliance and opportunities for improvement for West Brom, which included Alex Palmer’s commendable goalkeeping performance. He made several significant saves, particularly against counter-attacks, ensuring the team remained competitive until the very end. His performance, like those of his teammates, suggested the level of effort put forth throughout the game.
Brunt, continuing to motivate his squad, emphasized the need for consistency and sharper execution. “We've tried to encourage people shooting from distance, committing people and being positive,” he noted, as his team seeks to build on the positives from their recent matches. Analyzing player ratings from the encounter, the contributions were varied, with notable performances across the board, particularly from players stepping up under the interim management.
Josh Maja was one of the standout players recently, recovering his form after going through a scoring drought. With ambitions of catching Norwich's forward Borja Sainz for the top scoring spot, Maja’s performance is expected to be instrumental moving forward this season. He recently expressed gratitude to Brunt for instilling renewed vigor within the squad, as they aim for playoff contention.
Looking forward, the Baggies will need to capitalize on upcoming fixtures to climb the Championship table, as their playoff aspirations remain intact but precarious. Maja’s return to form, combined with strong performances from fellow players, could prove decisive for the club’s success. "We have not achieved the results we expected, but we will draw the necessary conclusions to continue growing,” Brunt concluded, echoing the hope for improvement and future victories.
This latest clash has reinforced the challenges facing the club, but also its potential resilience as the season progresses, marking another chapter at West Brom under the new interim regime.