Millwall 0 West Brom 2 - Report and pictures

In a clash that had a real chance of being called off with heavy rain and gale force winds battering the country, goals from Filip Krovinovic and Dara O’Shea saw the Baggies secure a convincing and deserved win in the Capital.

In truth, the margin of victory should have been a lot greater with Slaven Bilic’s side dominating proceedings from the off.

Matheus Pereira hit the post after being played through one-on-one. Hal Robson-Kanu also side-footed over just yards from goal when it was easier to score.

But while it took until the 85th minute for O’Shea to pop up and settle any nerves, Bilic will be delighted with his team’s performance that saw them extend their lead at the top of the Championship to four points.

Report

Bilic’s team selection threw up a number of interesting talking points with the boss deciding to make two changes from the side that beat Luton.

Unsurprisingly, key man Matheus Pereira came straight back into the starting XI having completed his three game ban for an alleged elbow against Stoke’s Joe Allen.

Hal Robson-Kanu was also restored up front at the expense of Charlie Austin.

But it was winger Matt Phillips who made way for Pereira’s return, with Krovinovic given the chance to continue in the number 10 role.

And that meant Pereira began on the right wing, with Callum Robinson on the left in BIlic’s favoured 4-2-3-1 system.

Millwall boss Gary Rowett opted to pack the midfield with his team lining up in a 4-5-1 system that saw Matt Smith operate as the lone striker.

The tone for the game appeared to have been set in the first few minutes when Albion won a corner.

But with the wind so strong, neither Krovinovic or Pereira were able to keep the ball in the quadrant.

When the Croatian did send the ball in, though, his delivery was a good one with Semi Ajayi narrowly turning the ball wide at the back post.

Bilic’s side had started like a steam train and they should have been ahead just moments later when Robinson’s ball sent Pereira through one-on-one.

The Brazilian did everything right with the 23-year-old’s low drive seeming destined to nestle into the corner.

But instead it cannoned off the post and into the grateful arms of Bartosz Bialkowski.

Despite the conditions, Albion were showing their quality with Robson-Kanu unable to meet a dangerous Robinson cross while Conor Townsend lashed a fierce strike from 20-yards just past the upright.

Gradually, though, the host began to come into the game - with Kyle Bartley making two crucial interceptions inside the area to keep Smith at bay.

The ball then broke kindly for Jed Wallace in the box who, on the angle, powered a strike over the bar.

Now a real old-fashioned game of football, both teams were battling whilst looking dangerous going forward in what continued to be wet and windy conditions.

It was Albion, though, who were by far the better of the two teams.

And they again claim close to scoring when Pereira slipped in Robson-Kanu only for the Welshman to see a low drive smartly stopped by Bialkowski.

Just before the interval, however, Bilic’s side did get the goal there overall performance more than warranted.

Pereira fed Krovinovic on the edge of the box with the Croatian first doing well to take control of the ball and open his body up.

And he then went on to curl a delicious strike into the corner and beyond the reach of the diving Bialkowski.

Albion emerged from the break and once again began to dominante.

And only an unbelievable miss from Robson-Kanu prevented them from doubling their lead.

After a Robinson cross was fumbled by Bialkowski, the ball looked set to be tapped in the Welshman who was just a couple of yards from goal.

But incredibly, despite having enjoyed an outstanding season, Robson-Kanu somehow turned the ball over when it was easier to score.

As the clock ticked towards the hour mark, Millwall were being completely overrun with Rowett opting to make a double change.

Connor Mahoney and Jon Dadi Bodvarsson replaced Smith and Aiden O’Brien.

The hosts did improve for the changes. But with 20 minutes to go, Albion had enjoyed 23 shots on target to Millwall’s three.

But with five minutes to go Albion finally, finally, put the game to bed.

When the goal arrived, it was relatively straight forward with O’Shea seeing a header squeeze in at the near post after he met Grosicki’s corner.

But that was no more than the Baggies - and their travelling fans deserved - with Bilic’s side dominating a game in which they were passionately roared on by supporters who truly braved the elements to be there.

Teams

Millwall: Bialkowski, M. Wallace, Hutchinson, Cooper, Williams (Bradshaw 77), J Wallace, Smith (Bodvarsson 61) Romeo, Molumby, Woods, O'Brien (Mahoney 61).

Subs not used: Steele, Ferguson, Pearce, Skalak.

Albion: Johnstone, O’Shea, Bartley, Ajayi, Townsend, Livermore, Sawyers, Krovinovic, Pereira (Phillips 76), Robinson (Grosicki 66), Robson-Kanu (Austin 90).

Subs not used: Bond, Furlong, Harper, Hegazi.