Josh Maja’s brace and a Callum Styles strike secured all three points for West Brom in a 3-1 win against Preston on New Year’s Day Championship fixture.
Heading into the game against Preston Maja had failed to score in eight consecutive games.
He has now scored 12 goals in 25 games in the English second-tier this season.
Maja fired West Brom ahead in the 18th minute, making no mistake from 10-yards out off an assist from Mikey Johnston.
West Brom doubled their advantage on 35 minutes when a corner routine was met by the onrushing Styles, who kept his composure and converted excellently for his maiden Baggies goal.
Maja then made it 3-0 with five minutes left in the first half as he confidently tucked home Darnell Furlong’s pass after he had surged forward.
Preston pulled one back on the 70-minute mark through Ryan Ledson’s deflected finish but it was only a consolation goal as the Baggies held on for the three points.
The result extends the Baggies’ unbeaten home run to three months and places them temporarily in fifth in the table.
Meanwhile, Maja’s Nigerian teammate Semi Ajayi is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The last time he played for West Brom was October 2024, in a 0-0 home draw with Cardiff.
By James Agberebi
