Goals from Brown Ideye and Saido Berahino secured a vital 2-0 victory for West Bromwich Albion in their Premier League clash against Swansea City at The Hawthorns this evening.
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The Baggies were the first to threaten as a driving run from Berahino earned them a corner, and from the cross Craig Dawson rose highest in the area to power a header at goal, which forced a save from Lukasz Fabianski.
West Brom came close again when they built well through the middle of the pitch as Berahino released the run of Callum McManaman down the left. The midfielder tried to find the bottom corner with his strike, but could only fire wide of the target.
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The Swans got themselves into gear in the latter stages of the half as Nathan Dyer raided down the right wing and cut the ball back to Jonjo Shelvey 20 yards from goal, and his strike went inches over the crossbar, with Ben Foster scrambling.
Bafetimbi Gomis should have done better for Garry Monk's men with an opportunity before the whistle as West Brom failed to clear their lines from a corner, but he could only volley straight at Foster.
After the break, West Brom got into a rhythm and McManaman helped free up space for Berahino on the edge of the box, but the forward could only put his strike past Fabianski's post.
Tony Pulis's edged in front as the visitors fail to clear their lines from a cross into the box, and Ideye was on hand to keep his composure to place the ball past Fabianski into the bottom corner.
Swansea had the chance to hit back when Neil Taylor picked out the run of Wayne Routledge in the box, but when the winger had time to shoot he dawdled on the ball, allowing Darren Fletcher to make a crucial tackle.
The Baggies doubled their lead in the 74th minute when Berahino and Ideye combined as the 21-year-old won the ball in midfield and found his strike partner. The Nigerian then spotted the run of Berahino and the England Under-21 international made no mistake firing past Fabianski.
Monk's side tried to rally late in the game, but were unable to threaten Foster as the home side held out for the three points.
Simon Sinclair
