West Bromwich Albion welcomed travelling Swansea City to The Hawthorns looking for three points to help progress their chances of remaining in the Premier League.
The home side shared the better of the minimal chances in the first half, as centre-back Craig Dawson forced a standout reaction save from Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski.
Tony Pulis's side grew to dominate the game and they took the lead through in-form striker Brown Ideye in the second period, before young striker Saido Berahino sealed all three points with a wonder-strike in the 74th minute.
Follow how all of the action developed by reading our minute-by-minute coverage below.
Good evening everyone and welcome to our live coverage as West Bromwich Albion welcome travelling Swansea City to The Hawthorns. West Brom boss Tony Pulis is seeking to build on some positive early work since taking over at the club, while Swansea are seeking to silence some critics who have highlighted a possible lack of prosperity in attack in recent weeks.
West Brom and Pulis come into this clash having worked together to produce five points in their bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League. The Welsh coach has made an influential impact on the side already, and has also made a star acquisition in the shape of former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher. It's these types of games that Pulis will be aiming to base his side's survival hopes on.
One potential pitfall has arisen, though, and that's the behaviour of rising forward Saido Berahino. The youngster recently spoke of his desire to join a "bigger club", leading to Pulis benching the forward for the team's 2-2 draw against Burnley at the weekend.
That result will leave tonight's hosts with plenty of optimism going into this clash, given that they were able to come back from two goals down to earn a point away from home at Turf Moor.
Visitors Swansea are by no means in bad form, but questions have been asked of Garry Monk's men in attack - with the departure of Wilfried Bony to Manchester City seemingly causing a little bit of disruption in front of goal. If picked, Monk will be looking to the services of key forward Bafetimbi Gomis to help inspire his side to victory this evening.
City have a supreme record at The Hawthorns and they'll be confident of getting something from this clash. Swansea have won five of their seven Premier League games against West Brom, while the Welsh club have also claimed wins from three of their last four trips to the Baggies' ground.
We've got some team news for you now...
WEST BROMWICH ALBION STARTING XI: Foster; Dawson, Lescott, McAuley, Brunt, McManaman, Yacob, Fletcher, Morrison, Ideye, Berahino
WEST BROMWICH ALBION SUBSTITUTES: Myhill, Wisdom, Pocognoli, Olsson, Baird, Gardner, Sessegnon
SWANSEA CITY STARTING XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams ©, Taylor, Ki, Cork, Shelvey, Dyer, Montero, Gomis
SWANSEA CITY SUBSTITUTES: Tremmel, Amat, Rangel, Carroll, Fulton, Routledge, Oliveira
So Pulis opts for a seemingly expressive formation. He's handed starts to both strikers in the shape of Berahino and Brown Ideye, with support coming from a four-man midfield featuring skipper Fletcher, Chris Brunt, Callum McManaman and Claudio Yacob.
Meanwhile, Monk has given a chance to Gomis as expected, who will be backed by the creativity of Nathan Dyer and Jefferson Montero from out wide. Jack Cork will also operate from midfield alongside Ki Sung-yueng.
Lots of creativity in both sides, then. This is shaping up to be a fascinating encounter. Goals should be expected this evening, that's for sure. West Brom have conceded 10 goals in the opening 15 minutes of this campaign - the highest tally in the league.
Swansea have plenty of fond memories when facing the Baggies. City have opened the scoring within two minutes of the last two Premier League encounters between the sides.
Monk's men will be confident given the fact that The Hawthorns has hardly been a fortress in recent months. West Brom's tally of six Premier League home defeats is the joint-highest for this season.
Swansea do have some wording stats of their own that West Brom might have taken notice of, though. As it stands, the Swans have surrendered a massive 16 points from winning positions this campaign.
Pulis will also be aware that two or more goals for his side tonight could contribute to a win - Swansea have notched one goal in each of their last six Premier League away matches.
The Swansea hold the upper hand so far this season. Last year the Welsh outfit defeated West Brom 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium.
A lot of focus tonight will be on both sides' men in forward positions. Berahino will be aiming to get back in the good books of the home fans, while Ideye was the hero with his goal on Saturday despite almost being sold on transfer deadline day.
On the other side, Gomis has also stated a perceived desire to move away from Wales, but he's been given the trust of Swansea to help deliver some goals to keep them in the race to claim a European spot come the end of the season.
West Brom's addition of Fletcher could be vital in securing their Premier League status. Such is the respect the Scot carries on the pitch, he was immediately handed the captain's armband by Pulis when he joined the club. The former United man could also play a vital role in the education and development of Berahino.
The 21-year-old striker has been an important feature of the West Brom team, he's grabbed nine goals so far this campaign.
Time for a prediction as we approach the start of the game. I fancy the hosts to claim three points tonight. They've got two pacey forwards up top, who also posses a lot of strength and power. Add to that the experience of Fletcher in the middle and the guile of Pulis on the sideline, I'm tempted to say that the Baggies will scrape this 2-1.
This game could be a potential turning point for West Brom if they're able to collect three points. They did extremely well to grab a draw away at Burnley and a win this evening could set them on course for a push further up the table under Pulis.
Here's an image from the stands a little earlier this evening, just over 10 minutes to go until kickoff now:
Freezing at the Hawthorns. Win will make it worth while. #coyb pic.twitter.com/BIN2ZiVR2X
— Jonathan Price (@j28price) February 11, 2015
What's for certain tonight is that we're surely in for an attacking game. Swansea have a slight point to prove going forward, while West Brom are in need of a win to help secure survival. A point wouldn't be a disaster for either side, but three points would be a huge capture for the home side.
Swansea's Nathan Dyer will also be one to watch too. The winger has scored three Premier League goals against West Brom - more than he has notched against any other team.
Monk will have drilled his troops on corners for the past week or so. The Swansea boss will be aware of the threat that Pulis's sides often possess from set pieces. The visitors haven't been that impressive from corners this season, though, with Monk's men scoring just one league goal from a corner.
Fantastic atmosphere at the Midlands now as the players emerge from the tunnel. West Brom in white and blue, while Swansea wear red and black away from home.
Pulis has issued special instructions for the fans to play their part in tonight's fixture. They seem to be taking heed, The Hawthorns is rocking at the moment.
KICKOFF! Swansea get us underway. The play is moved straight back to defence as the visitors look to get their short-passing game going. They break down the right flank with Dyer, who feeds the ball back inside for his central midfielders. He takes it back on the wing before earning his side a corner.
The away side appear to have settled rather easily - perhaps their league position has had an impact on that. They don't have much to lose tonight. McManaman shows some trickery for West Brom, but he's matched by Dyer.
West Brom get the chance to get their collective foot on the ball for the first time in the game. It's neat and tidy across the middle, but nothing good enough to penetrate the Swansea defence.
The Baggies are showing signs of some enterprise now. Morrison brings the ball forward and he plays a one-two with Ideye, though Naughton is equal to it and he wins the ball back down by the corner flag.
Swansea make use of the flanks for the first time in the match. It starts with Dyer on the right, who switches the play all away across to Montero, who can't get his cross in given that McManaman sticks to his defensive duties well.
West Brom gain their first corner of the game, and they send three defenders forward for it. Brunt can't deliver though as his ball fails to clear the first Swansea defender, who clears to safety.
Swansea bring the ball forward and Gomis offers his feet. He takes the ball with his back to goal, only for some poor control to let him down as Lescott nips in far too easily to win the ball back for the hosts.
SAVE! The Baggies break from the clearance as the ball is fed into Berahino, who turns and is tackled for a corner. The delivery is turned in and Dawson climbs highest to draw a fantastic save from Fabianksi with a smart header. The ball drops just out of the reach of both Ideye and Berahino, leaving Swansea to clear.
SHOT! Lovely play from West Brom and it starts with Fletcher who wins the ball in midfield. He feeds Berahino, who plays a one-two with Ideye before slipping a ball into McManaman down the left channel. He's forced a little too wide and his attempt flies off target. Fantastic build-up play from the home outfit.
Swansea reply by taking their time to keep possession. Shelvey is looking lively in the middle and he's involved in everything for the visitors. Gomis drops deep again to receive, but his lay-off is disrupted and West Brom win a goal kick.
This hasn't been the most enthralling of starts, but the game is starting to show some promise. West Brom are looking good going forward, especially when Fletcher is given space to drive towards the two frontmen. This time he feeds Ideye, who wins a free kick 35 yards out from goal. The delivery sees Fabianski rise in his box to clear with a punch.
The hosts continue to look to crack open the Swansea defence, but they hold firm to make two good blocks to prevent Berahino from getting in behind.
YELLOW CARD! McManaman is lucky to still be on the pitch really. He flies in on Montero and it takes some clever captaincy from Fletcher to keep him on the field.
Ideye is growing into this fixture, this time he'd fed in down the right side of the box and he turns to fire a shot that is blocked on its way to goal.
The resulting corner is sent in by Brunt towards the back-post where McAuley battles to find some freedom. His header is always rising, though, and it flies over the crossbar without troubling the Swansea keeper.
Great play from Montero who squares up Dawson down the left flank. His cross flies in towards the on-rushing Gomis, who can't test the keeper with a header that is well wide of the target.
It's Berahino's chance to cause some havoc now and he charges down his left flank to nail a drilled cross across the face of goal. Everybody, including Ideye, misses it and the ball somehow finds its way to safety.
Gomis is cutting a rather isolated figure so far. West Brom's defence are surrounding the striker whenever he gets near the ball, he's going to need a little more support up top if Swansea want to continue to use this passing game of theirs.
McManaman's aggression down the right could be important in opening this game up. This time he drives at the full-back before drilling a low cross into the box where Ideye is lingering. Luckily for the visitors, Williams is first to it and he clears away the danger at the first time of asking. The Baggies are just edging this so far.
SHOT! Hmm... Foster looked worried for second. Dyer skips infield and draws out a defender with him. The winger cuts the ball back for Shelvey, who tries something speculator first time from range, only for his shot to creep just wide of the top corner.
YELLOW CARD! Ouch. Neil Taylor goes into the book for a terrible tackle on McManaman. Again, he's another who's now lucky to still be on the pitch. It's rash and a little high, perhaps two-footed as well.
Disappointing from Brunt who again fails to beat the first man with his free kick and Swansea clear with consummate ease.
Shelvey tries to force his side into the lead again and it comes via some smart play from the young midfielder. He drops deep in midfield before trying a Steven Gerrard-esque whipped delivery in towards the towering Gomis at the first time of asking, only for McAuley to get there ahead of the striker.
SHOT! Swansea win a corner and the resulting ball drops kindly to Gomis in the centre of the box. Players depart like waves in the middle of the area, leaving the striker with room to volley the dropping ball. His finish isn't good enough and is aimed straight at Foster, who saves with some comfort in the middle of the goal.
West Brom looked to get the counter moving as Berahino dinks a ball in behind the defence for McManaman to chase, but Fernandez does extremely well to smash the ball out for a throw. The Baggies' are causing some problems now.
Wow! Silly from Brunt, really silly... He's fed in down the left channel and is supported by four others breaking into the box. Instead the winger gets a rush of blood and tries a shot from a tight angle, which flies high and wide. HIs teammates are livid.
The home side are growing increasingly more dominant now. Berahino tries to force his way into the box, only to be challenged by an insistent Fernandez who wins out with his strength on the edge of the area.
Two minutes of additional time...
HALF TIME: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0-0 SWANSEA CITY
Robert Madley brings a bubbling first half to a close. Swansea's passing game sees them lead the possessional statistics, but they don't really tell the story of this first period. The home side were on top during the opening half, with McManaman's pace starting to cause Monk's men some issues down the right flank. Fabianski has ensured parity following an impressive reaction save, while the visitors have failed to muster much of note going forward.
Brunt has been disappoint for the Baggies. He's had five good opportunities to deliver from set pieces, and only caused trouble on one occasion. Pulls will be incensed with his decision to shoot instead of finding a teammate as the half drew to a close too.
The West Brom boss will be pleased with the quality his team has when Fletcher is afforded space, with Berahino's direct running also causing a few problems down the left too.
The Baggies have had six shots so far, but only one has been on target. Swansea have mustered three, with one also registering in the first period.
Swansea's most impressive play has come down the flanks, with Montero looking particularly good. They've got a slight issue in the fact that Gomis is lacking support.
City's passing game has seen them hold 64% of the ball in the first half, but they haven't done much with it. Shelvey will need to get forward a little more if the visitors are to cause problems for West Brom.
What can the managers do to get their sides in front then? West Brom will be pleased with that half and they'll be looking for more of the same, with perhaps some better decision making from the likes of Brunt. Meanwhile, Monk needs to work out how to get more bodies in support of his lone striker. It's all well and good getting balls into the box, but not if there isn't anyone to win the second ball.
Routledge could be one option for Monk. He might even do well to bring the conventional winger in behind Gomis to add a bit more directness through the middle of the pitch.
West Brom have shown enough in the first half that they've got what it takes to win this, but they'll need to be aware that Swansea can move the ball well at short notice - if they switch off, the Baggies could be punished.
Both sets of players have emerged from the tunnel for the start of the second half, West Brom will get us back underway at The Hawthorns.
KICKOFF! Good work already from the Baggies as Brunt breaks down the left to cross for Ideye, but the ball doesn't possess the quality to cause an issue for the Swansea back-line.
Fantastic work from Gomis who drops deep into his own half to claim the ball back. He feeds Taylor on the flank who charges forward, only for the move to break down when the ball is cleared by the West Brom defence inside the box.
More encouraging stuff from Gomis, who links with Shelvey to try and complete a one-two. The striker spins in behind the West Brom defence, but the return ball is cleared out for a corner kick.
Wild keeping from Foster who charges off his line to try and clear a ball into the box. He gets half a hand to it and luckily his defenders are able to scramble the ball clear.
SHOT! West Brom produce their best move of the half as Berahino takes the ball forward. McManaman is the willing recipient out wide, who then turns the ball back inside for his young teammate. The 21-year-old looks for the far corner with an ambitious effort that edges wide of the post without causing too many problems for Fabianski.
Top defending from Williams! He reads the danger to hang back and intercept Berahino's cross as it makes its way towards Ideye in the centre of the area. West Brom are starting to tick again...
SUBSTITUTION: Odd one if you ask me, Stephane Sessegnon comes on in place of McManaman down the left flank.
GOAL! WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1-0 SWANSEA CITY (BROWN IDEYE)
Chances have been scarce in this fixture, but Ideye makes full use of some luck to drill across the face of goal and into the bottom corner. It comes as Swansea fail to clear their lines, leaving the striker to cleverly pop a half volley from the centre of the box low and hard past a helpless Fabianski.
Brunt is having a real stinker. Clever work from Morrison gives the winger a chance to deliver into the box on the left wing, but he smashes wildly beyond everyone inside the box. Pulis is steaming on the touchline.
Morrison is enjoying this. The midfielder combines well with Brunt, giving the winger a chance to feed a teammate on the overlap. His pass is wonderful, but the next forward moves sees Ideye penalised for an off-side decision.
A lack of support for Gomis continues to persist and it's causing problems for Swansea. They don't really have a safe outlet going forward, as the only ball available is one into the tall striker, but he's got nobody willing to come and exchange with him.
CHANCE! Swansea move the ball quickly down the left and it's finally cut back into the path of Routledge, who is unmarked in the box. For some reason he thinks he needs a touch before the shot, leaving Fletcher with just enough time to get a foot in and clear. That was a really good opportunity for the visitors...
Commanding work from Fabianksi sees the keeper charge off his line from a corner and clear with a strong punch. West Brom might want to another to put this out of sight; ignoring that Routledge chance, Swansea are really struggling going forward.
Ideye makes use of some poor passing from Williams to hassle the Swansea back-line, before Berahino wins the ball and then a cheap free kick off Fernandez. Perfect range for a shot.
Berahino takes charge of the situation and he strikes a good shot from the free kick, only for the wall to interrupt.
GOAL! WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2-0 SWANSEA CITY (SAIDO BERAHINO)
Game over, I'd say... Berahino wins the ball back midway into the Swansea half and he slips a wonderful ball into the path of Ideye who is moving down the right channel. The striker takes no time in sending a cut-back to the on-rushing Berahino, who lashes an unstoppable strike from just inside the area past a helpless Fabianski to complete a memorable one-two move. Fantastic teamwork and a world-class finish.
What have Swansea got? Somebody needs to take charge in this team and get forward to support Gomis. He's hardly had a sniff tonight and it hasn't really been his fault. He's held the ball up well enough, but has had no support whatsoever.
This could be a huge three points for West Brom, they might now bee looking ahead of themselves for the rest of the season instead of behind. They're looking compact now as they aim to see out this game. Pulls continues to bellow from the touchline as he orders his charges around the pitch.
The hosts are doing everything they can to take the sting out of the last 10 minutes of the fixture, this time as Morrison draws a smart foul much to the annoyance of the challenging Taylor.
SUBSTITUTION: Morrison is replaced by Craig Gardner. More delaying tactics, maybe. Morrison has been busy all night, he comes off to much applause from the home fans.
Castro Oliveira has perhaps got away with something here. It looks like he's thrown a huge elbow. The referee waves it on, but there could be some retrospective action after the game. That looked a little nasty from the substitute.
Montero has been impressive for Swansea... one of very few players. His cross from the left finds Gomis, who rises unchallenged to head wide without troubling Foster.
Cork has rarely featured on the ball this evening, but he picks up the leather with space around him from 30 yards out. He tries his luck only for the shot to be a tad embarrassing as it almost goes out for a West Brom throw.
Four minutes of added time at The Hawthorns...
Swansea are enjoying more possession as West Brom drop off in their pressing. They won't be too worried given that Swansea have been rather listless all evening.
Gomis turns smartly to get another shot off at goal, although it's lacking any pace or power, accuracy too, leaving Foster to gather in the centre of goal.
FULL TIME: WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2-0 SWANSEA CITY
West Albion seal out a comfortable 2-0 win... Fantastic forward play from Berahino and Ideye has given the Baggies are real platform to spring from now. Swansea, on the other hand, appeared a little short of ideas when going forward. Questions might be asked of lone striker Gomis, but it was really the tactical play of the visitors that led to their own downfall this evening. Thanks for joining us!
Written by
Christopher Dodd
Christopher Dodd
