Albion secured a narrow triumph over ten-man Brentford in their third Group E game in the Premier League Cup on Friday night.
Souleyman Mandey continued his fine form in front of goal, scoring the contest’s solitary strike inside the opening 20 minutes – a well-taken finish from the edge of the box.
The Bees had Gustavo Nunes dismissed for swinging an arm at Baggies defender Noah DuPont, but home stopper Brian Okonkwo had to make a number of impressive saves to preserve the points.
It was the Londoners who had the early chances at the Alexander Stadium. Conor McManus headed wide from a right-wing cross when he should really have hit the target, while forward Iwan Morgan’s ferocious hit from range whistled just past Okonkwo’s far post.
But it was the Baggies who went 1-0 up after 18 minutes. Kevin Mfuamba broke through the middle of the pitch and played a perfect pass beyond the Brentford back four, where Mandey was on hand to calmly slot beyond Julian Eyestone at the near post.
Forward Torin Ntege then drilled an effort at goal from 25 yards, only to see the strike parried away by Eyestone.
One of the game’s major incidents occurred less than ten minutes before the break. Winger Nunes reacted angrily to DuPont’s pressing and caught the New Zealand youth international in the face with the back of his hand. Referee Paul Marsden was quick to show a straight red.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, the away outfit created plenty of oppoertunities in the second 45.
Okonkwo was on hand to make smart saves from two shots from just outside the area, while substitute Gbenankpon Michel Destiny nodded a left-wing cross well wide with the goal gaping.
The Baggies No.1 continued to keep the hosts ahead as the game headed into the closing stages, making a double save to twice deny Morgan an equaliser.
Leigh Downing’s side went looking for a second as the game opened up in the final moments and thought they’d found it when sub Adam Okorodudu dived in at the back post, only for a Bees defender to acrobatically clear.
It mattered not, as Albion held on to claim a vital win. The triumph leaves them top of the group on goal difference with three fixtures left to play.
ALBION: Okonkwo, Nelson, DuPont (Colesby 73), Mohammed, Humphries ©, Parker (Maughan HT), Mfuamba, Blackshields, Ntege, Mandey (McDonald HT), Trialist (Okorodudu HT).
Sub: Brady (GK)
