Albion made to back-to-back Premier League wins as they climbed to 11th after defeating Nottingham Forest at the Amex.
Just like Brentford last week, first-half goals by Diego Gomez and Danny Welbeck did the trick.
Gomez’s sixth-minute volley – his tenth goal of the season – was cancelled out by Morgan Gibbs-White, but within two minutes Albion restored their lead when Welbeck scored his 11th of the campaign.
Albion would have extended their lead before the break but for the excellence of Forest keeper Matz Sels and in the second half the home side had further opportunities while restricting Forest to very few clear-cut chances to equalise at the other end.
A first Amex win for two months was fully deserved and sets Albion up nicely for Wednesday’s visit of leaders Arsenal.
Sliding in: Diego Gomez celebrates after giving Albion the lead for the second week running. 📷Paul Hazlewood
Sliding in: Diego Gomez celebrates after giving Albion the lead for the second week running. 📷Paul Hazlewood
The game exploded into life with three goals in the opening 16 minutes, the first time that’s happened in the Premier League since December 2024.
Sels had already denied Kaoru Mitoma when he was beaten on six minutes. Albion won the ball back on the right, Pascal Gross fed Gomez on the right-hand side of the box and his swerving right-foot volley proved too powerful for Sels, who got a hand to it but couldn't keep it out.
It was 1-1 on 13 minutes when the ball sat up nicely for Gibbs-White on the edge of the box and he cut across the ball skilfully and sent it away from Bart Verbruggen’s reach.
But within two minutes Albion had restored their lead. Jack Hinshelwood cushioned Mitoma’s cross to Welbeck who turned Nikola Milenkovic and sent a right-foot volley across Sels into the far corner.
Danny Welbeck turns away in celebration after restoring Albion's lead. 📷Simon Roe
Danny Welbeck turns away in celebration after restoring Albion's lead. 📷Simon Roe
In the first half Albion created a chance just about every time they got into the final third. Sels did brilliantly to deny Mitoma at close range after he’d exchanged passes with Welbeck before Welbeck dragged his shot a yard wide after Murillo gave the ball away.
Before the end of a breathless half Sels made another great save to keep out Hinshelwood’s brave diving header after Jan Paul van Hecke got forward to provide the cross. The Albion defender then got back to doing his day job, blocking Hudson-Odoi’s strike.
Sels was called into action again early in the second half, getting down quickly to keep out Gross’s low drive from a free kick just outside the box.
Kaoru Mitoma is left frustrated after he was denied by Matz Sels. 📷James Boardman
Kaoru Mitoma is left frustrated after he was denied by Matz Sels. 📷James Boardman
Albion needed the security of a third goal with Forest threatening on the counter through the dangerous Gibbs-White, who made one break but failed to find a teammate with his cross into the box.
But in truth Verbruggen had little to do as Albion protected their advantage doggedly. In stoppage time, Lewis Dunk threw himself in front of Dilane Bakwa’s drive and substitute Joel Veltman calmly cushioned a cross back to his keeper in a crowded six-yard box as Albion got the job done.
Albion: Verbruggen, Wieffer (Veltman 71), van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, Gross, Milner (Baleba 86), Mitoma (De Cuyper 90+1), Gomez (March 86), Hinshelwood, Welbeck.
Subs not used: Steele, Rutter, Minteh, Kostoulas, Boscagli.
Referee: Andrew Madeley
Attendance: 31,427