Match Reports

Albion v Sheffield Wednesday match report

CHRIS BRUNT struck deep into added time to give ten-man Albion a share of the spoils against Sheffield Wednesday in the final outing of 2018.

The Baggies skipper forced the ball home - with the help of Wednesday defenders - with 95 minutes on the clock to send The Hawthorns into raptures and extend Albion's unbeaten record to nine games.

Atdhe Nuhiu had pounced to convert the game's opener from close range after just five minutes, with Jay Rodriguez, two-goal matchwinner against Wigan Athletic on Boxing Day, seeing red just after the hour mark for an off-the-ball incident.

In front of their highest attendance of the season, 26,548, the Baggies dominated the majority of proceedings and got their just rewards to save a point against the in-form Owls.

Albion showed four changes for the clash - captain Brunt, Kyle Bartley, James Morrison and Bakary Sako coming in for injured pair Ahmed Hegazi and Dwight Gayle, with Gareth Barry and Matt Phillips rested to the bench.

Yet it was the visitors who made the perfect early start, Nuhiu converting from close range after Albion failed to clear Adam Reach's corner.

The Baggies dominated play following the opener as they looked to force a leveller, albeit without seriously testing Owls goalkeeper Cameron Dawson.

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Sam Johnstone was called upon to deny Marco Matias after 26 minutes, before showing smart reflexes to keep out Morgan Fox from point-blank range.

Those chances aside, Albion continued to boss matters until the break but it was Wednesday who held the upper hand at the interval.

The second half continued in much the same fashion, although Albion were dealt a blow when they were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark as Rodriguez saw red following consultation between the referee and his assistant.

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Head Coach Moore opted to make a triple substitution, introducing Phillips, Barry and Hal Robson-Kanu. 

And it almost paid immediate dividends, Robson-Kanu's header forcing a fingertip save from Dawson.

Albion continued to apply pressure in search of an equaliser and, from a Phillips corner, squeezed the ball home to keep pressure on the top two in an astonishing finish.

Albion: Johnstone, Adarabioyo (Phillips 65), Dawson, Bartley, Gibbs, Morrison (Barry 65), Livermore, Brunt (c), Barnes, Rodriguez, Sako (Robson-Kanu 65).

Subs: Myhill, Mears, Harper, Hoolahan.

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