West Brom 3 Millwall 0: Sensational Albion deliver stunning second period to win

Albion delivered a stunning second-half display with three fine goals to earn an eye-catching 3-0 victory over Millwall.

Talisman Isaac Price opened the scoring with a beautiful strike five minutes after the break to settle jitters and fears of a fifth consecutive goalless draw at The Hawthorns between the two sides.

Things got better and better at a raucous Hawthorns as Jayson Molumby turned in from close range for two in the closing stages and substitute Felix Horn Myhre converted a stylish late third.

It was a statement victory and second-half performance for James Morrison’s side as excitement continues to build among the fanbase and admiring glances continue from afar.

It left Morrison’s men fifth in the Championship heading into the November international break - but just a single point off the summit. Fans danced at full-time as Ousmane Diakite and Kareem Tunde whipped up a frenzy and chants about the Premier League boomed around.

Morrison will keep things grounded but - at the end of a demanding week featuring West Ham and Southampton - a fine victory to cap seven points from nine and to go six games unbeaten will leave the head coach extremely satisfied.

Albion threatened to lure supporters into a false sense of security with a bright start as the recalled Aune Heggebo - in for a first start in six - headed an Isaac Price corner narrowly over after two minutes.

The clash quickly became ragged and slipped into the all-too familiar pattern of Albion versus Millwall at The Hawthorns.

The Lions found a threat, mostly through the talented Camiel Neghli and his deliveries from the right.

But the play was broken up far too much, with referee Thomas Bramall whistle-happy and Alex Neil’s men - still smarting from a 3-0 defeat in Birmingham in midweek - extremely content at eating up time.

The in-form Diakite tried to set the tone for his side early on but even he waned. Rabby Nzingoula, also excellent of late, was Albion’s brightest outlet.

Diakite flicked a header wide but openings at either end were few and far better. The Hawthorns grew edgy as Albion took took long with the ball and were often disjointed when looking for combinations.

Callum Styles looked to inject tempo but he could only fire well wide cutting on to his weaker right foot.

Albion’s Max O’Leary had gone untested despite Millwall clawing a foothold. A save from Derek Mazou-Sacko’s rising 25-yard drive was routine.

Diakite was resorted to firing a long way off-target from range. Another fluked delivery from range from Molumby almost crept under Max Slocombe’s crossbar but the keeper clawed over.

Morrison resisted changes at the interval and Heggebo attempted a repeat of his early headed chance, this time skewing an effort wide from Brayann Pereira’s pinpoint cross.

It felt a moment of magic was required on a drab afternoon - and step up talisman Price.

He received the ball on the edge of the centre circle in space but with little on. So it seemed.

Price ate up the yards as he darted towards the box and took things into his own hands. The Northern Irishman curled a wonderfully-struck low strike perfectly into the bottom corner from the edge of the D. It was a stunning, pinpoint finish with no chance for Slocombe.

Morrison made a double switch and Horn Myhre and Barney Stewart worked terrifically.

The Norwegian nodded wide as Millwall looked incapable of mounting a response to the opener. Nerves still jangled at 1-0, however.

Tunde, back from a foot knock, entered 15 minutes from time and grabbed his cameo shot with a brightest display yet.

Albion and a more unlikely figure clinched the victory and made safe the points with 12 minutes left.

Spaniard Tunde was vibrant and involved and his work ethic helped make the second. He buzzed around red Millwall defensive bodies and set the ball away for Horn Myhre down the inside left channel.

The latter’s squared pass was close to Slocombe but home midfielder Molumby simply wanted it more and won the 50-50 and could then hardly miss from two yards to spark huge celebrations.

Albion fans began to sing about climbing their way to the Premier League as excitement grew.

As Baggies fans danced Tunde fired at Slocombe and Horn Myhre turned wide across goal.

A clean sheet was desired and Millwall pushed late, as O’Leary tipped over big Jake Cooper’s header. Excellent stand-in skipper Chris Mepham and Nat Phillips - in for the injured George Campbell - stood firm.

But it was a footnote and the final word deservedly went to the hosts and substitute Horn Myhre.

The attacker, full of confident, clipped in a stunning finish over Slocombe after a wonderful Price pass low across the box. The move was started by Tunde, whose stylish run down the right showed flashes of his ability.

It was a wonderful afternoon to head into the international break as excitement continues to build around The Hawthorns.

Albion (4-4-2): O’Leary; Pereira, Mepham (c), Phillips, Styles; Nzingoula, Molumby, Diakite, Price; Morgan, Heggebo.

Subs not used: Ingram (gk), Townsend, Maughan, Crowther, Whitwell, Bany, Tunde, Horn Myhre, Stewart.

Millwall (4-2-3-1): Crocombe; Osei-Tutu, Cooper (c), Taylor, Sturge; Mazou-Sacko (Sykes, 45), Metcalfe; Neghli, Cundle, Lisbie; Coburn.

Subs not used: Evans (gk), Arconte, Ivanovic, Esse, Baggott, Dykes, Kelly, Sykes, Doughty

Referee: Thomas Bramall