Four talking points from West Brom’s 1-0 win against Birmingham

West Bromwich Albion bounced back from their first defeat of the season to beat Birmingham City and go top of the Championship table at The Hawthorns on Friday evening.

Karlan Grant’s strike fifteen minutes from time proved enough to earn Valérien Ismaël’s side a 1-0 win in what was a tightly contested and largely scrappy West Midlands derby.

The win sees the Baggies leapfrog Bournemouth to return to the top of the table, although the Cherries can regain top spot if they can avoid defeat in their game in hand at Bristol City this afternoon.

Here are four key talking points from the first West Midlands derby to be played in front of a crowd since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Townsend’s influence

West Brom’s left full-back was the best player on the pitch in the first half and remained a threat throughout the contest. The 28-year-old was a constant danger down Birmingham’s right side all night and was driving his team forward when both sides were struggling to create clear openings. He almost broke the deadlock with a long range effort in the first half which was well saved by Matija Šarkić. The former Hull City man is a popular figure at The Hawthorns and produced another stellar display.

West Brom’s quality the difference

This West Midlands derby wasn’t exactly one for the purists, but Baggies fans won’t care too much about that. Albion suffered their first defeat of the season at Stoke City before the international break and Ismaël would have been looking for a reaction from his players. It certainly wasn’t their best performance but at the end of the game it was that bit of quality which Birmingham lacked that proved the difference.

Same old problems for Bowyer

Although Lee Bowyer will be relatively pleased with his side’s performance and the way the players bounced back from the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, he’ll be bitterly disappointed his side couldn’t hold on for a point at The Hawthorns.

Bowyer’s game plan had worked in the first half with his side defending well and stifling West Brom’s forwards Grant, Matt Phillips and Callum Robinson. But Birmingham struggled to create many clear openings themselves and were unable to take them when they did.

Lukas Jutkiewicz saw his glancing header go wide of the post in the first half and Scott Hogan wasn’t far away from getting on the end of a cross by Jeremie Bela early in the second half.

Hogan did well to find a pass for Ivan Šunjić who should have done better with his effort, but Bowyer’s men didn’t test Sam Johnstone all evening and they’ve now gone five games without a goal and are winless in six.

Birmingham remain in 16th place but the result means they could find themselves closer to the relegation places if results don’t go their way this afternoon.

Deeney unfortunate not to feature

With the away side crying out for a goal in the last ten minutes it was a surprise Troy Deeney didn’t get off the bench. A boyhood Blues fan, the 33-year-old would have relished playing in this West Midlands derby.

Bowyer’s side had just one shot on target on Friday evening and although Deeney has struggled for form since joining Birmingham, his experience and ability in front of goal would of been worth taking a punt on to try to salvage a point.

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