West Brom analysis: Fortune smiles on Baggies in a game of missed opportunities

But for the past few weeks, it has felt as if nothing would go Albion’s way.

From one of the best strikers in the world scoring an 88th minute winner for Tottenham, to referee David Coote overruling himself to deny the Baggies a clear penalty at Old Trafford, everything that could go against them has gone against them.

But in arguably the most important match of the lot, the footballing gods turned and decided to finally smile on Slaven Bilic’s side.

And that is no more than they deserve following the events of the past few weeks.

Everyone knew – heading into this clash with Sheffield United – just what a big game it was in the battle for Premier League survival.

Both teams entered it still looking for that elusive first win of the campaign.

But it wasn’t just points at stake – both sets of players needed the psychological boost of knowing they can carve out a win.

In the end, what followed was an even and fascinating encounter that will ultimately be remembered for the chances that weren’t taken rather than the one that was.

Overall, the statistics show Albion had 17 shots in this game compared to Sheffield United’s 22.

All told, there were six huge chances missed – two for Albion and four for Chris Wilder’s men.

The first arrived in the seventh minute when former Baggie Oliver Burke did well to reach the byline and send in a low cross that George Badlock looked destined to side-foot home.

But while his effort beat Sam Johnstone, Conor Townsend had positioned himself perfectly to effectively block the ball on the line.

The impact of that miss hit the Blades even harder when Albion then opened the scoring in the 12th minute.

A Matheus Pereira corner was only half-cleared with Conor Gallager collecting the ball on the edge of the box.

Albion’s man-of-the-moment then turned the ball into the bottom corner and beyond the reach of Aaron Ramsdale for his first top flight goal.

After that the Baggies missed two glorious chances to double their lead and make the evening a lot more comfortable.

The first arrived before the interval and again came from a corner with Pereira’s delivery flicked on to the back post by Darnell Furlong.

There waiting, just yards from goal, was Karlan Grant whose first touch let him down.

But he still got his shot away only for Ramsdale to make himself big and brilliantly block the ball with his chest.

Albion’s second big chance arrived after the break.

Yet again it was from a corner with Kyle Bartley producing a bullet header only for Ramsdale to produce even more heroics.

With so much at stake in this game, the team leading as the clocked ticked on was always going to become anxious and naturally defend deeper.

And to Sheffield United’s credit they pushed and pushed to find an equaliser – and created four glorious chances to get one.

The first arrived just past the hour mark when Burke again used his blistering pace to reach the byline.

Once more he picked out Baldock who simply had to pass the ball into the net from eight-yards.

But the defender blazed over the bar when it was much easier to score.

From there the chances kept coming – with Johnstone once again proving to be Albion’s saviour.

A low cross for Sander Berge was met by Oli McBurnie just two yards out. Somehow, though, Johnstone managed to stick out a leg and keep the ball out from point blank range.

Substitute Rhian Brewster then teed up McBurnie again who was centrally-placed about 10-yards out.

Johnstone for the second time in quick succession made an excellent stop to deny him.

But the truth is McBurnie should have made sure the keeper couldn’t get anywhere near his effort.

All three of those attempts were glorious goalscoring opportunities – that at Premier League level you’d expect to be taken.

What followed, though, had to be seen to be believed.

Deep into seven minutes of added on time, Baldock turned Bartley inside out before sending in a cross which Lys Mousset, on as a substitute met just three yards out.

Again it seemed easier to score than miss yet somehow the Frenchman turned the ball over the bar to essentially confirm this was not going to be Sheffield United’s day.

There is no denying that, on one hand, Wilder’s side deserved to leave The Hawthorns with a point.

But Albion also deserved this win. They deserved it because they missed big chances to make the score 2-0.

And they also deserved some fortunate after what happened against Spurs and Man United.

The truth is winning this game was the only thing that mattered.

Yes, it brought three points. But it will also provide Albion with a huge psychological boost and a platform from which they can move forward.

Ten games down and the Baggies are not in the relegation zone.

There is, of course, still a very long way to go. This, though, was a must win game. And win it they did.