Alex Mowatt’s brace, after Josh Maja became the Sky Bet Championship’s leading goalscorer, sent West Brom top of the table with a clinical 3-0 victory over winless Portsmouth.
The in-form Maja bagged his fifth goal of the season inside the first minute – with only Manchester City phenom Erling Haaland scoring more goals in the top four divisions this season.
Mowatt struck twice after the break to put the unbeaten Baggies a point ahead of Sunderland at the summit.
Albion, who were unchanged for a fifth match this season, led after 54 seconds after a quick throw-in down the right flank gave Tom Fellows space to outpace Connor Ogilvie and cut back to the heart of the box.
Maja met it to thump past Will Norris and make it five goals from just nine shots this season. For Fellows, it was his fourth assist, with no one setting up more goals in the Premier League or EFL so far this campaign.
It set the tone for a ding-dong opening 45 minutes, with both sides going at full throttle.
Pompey had more possession and plenty of threat, but their best chance of an immediate riposte was through their press, which caught West Brom out on a number of occasions.
Mowatt was the worst offender when he was picked off by Calum Lang, but the attacking midfielder’s effort was deflected narrowly wide.
At the other end, Fellows almost added a goal to his assist when he cut in and placed a daisy-cutting effort just past the post before Norris had his fingertips stung by a fierce drive from Karlan Grant from the other flank.
But it was the always lurking Maja who had the the best chance to make it 2-0. The striker snuck in at the back post to meet a long Darnell Furlong throw, which had evaded everyone in the middle, but was somehow denied by a flying Norris – with the goal decision system showing millimetres prevented the ball from crossing the line.
Fellows then beat Ogilvie for a second time before lifting to the back post, but Grant could not keep his header down.
Albion started quickly again in the second half and got their second goal through Mowatt’s seventh for the club, six minutes after the interval.
The midfielder started the attack on the halfway line before smart interplay between John Swift and Grant saw the ball return to Mowatt, who calmly found the top corner.
Murphy lashed across goal as Pompey’s attempts to find a way back into the match failed to muster a shot on target.
In stoppage time, Mowatt placed a free-kick into the opposite corner to his first goal to send the 2,159 Baggies fans home in great cheer.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
