West Brom head coach Tony Mowbray praised his 10-man team for a “Herculean” win after they beat a spirited QPR 1-0 at the Hawthorns and maintained sixth place in the Sky Bet Championship.
Adam Armstrong’s 40th-minute penalty – Albion’s first this season – gave them the three points, but they are to appeal Darnell Furlong’s red card for catching Koki Saito’s face with his elbow just before half-time.
It left them with a backs-to-the-wall fight for the rest of the game.
In a game of few chances, Saito wasted the visitors’ only two opportunities.
Victory was Albion’s fourth in five home games since Mowbray returned to the club, extending their unbeaten run to four games.
“It makes me really proud that they have that in their stomachs,” said Mowbray.
“I did reference the previous coach (Carlos Corberan) for the defensive structure they showed, and Kyle Bartley is a real leader of men on the pitch.
“It was a huge win in the context of the points missed if we’d have lost or drawn.
“It was a Herculean effort by everyone. There are certain games you target and with all due respect to QPR and Hull, these are two of them.
“It means we can go to Burnley on Tuesday night with the same confidence we showed at Leeds United (drew 1-1 in their last away game) and look to pick up something.”
Armstrong’s penalty proved the difference after Jack Colback shoved Jayson Molumby to the ground from Tom Fellows’ pull-back.
The Baggies lost Furlong in the third minute of time added-on at the end of the first half for violent conduct after an aerial challenge with Saito as they tussled for a goal kick.
“It happened right in front of me – Darnell tried to block the guy, there was no elbow, but the lad tried to duck under his shoulder to avoid the block and caught his face on the top of Darnell’s arm,” said Mowbray.
“I’m not sure any of the officials saw it. I would suggest it was really harsh and I’m sure we will look to appeal it.”
Saito and Albion’s Torbjorn Heggem missed headed chances and the former was denied an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
QPR suffered their sixth defeat in eight matches and their third in a row.
Rangers head coach Marti Cifuentes said: “In the first half neither team created big chances, but there were two big situations with the penalty we should not have conceded, and the red card.
“We expected them to be in a low block and they were, but it was a pity we could not beat that and create more.
“I was not happy with the lack of clear chances, but they defended really well and were very compact.
“They didn’t create anything on the counter, so credit to the players to not concede any more, because in those situations you can concede a second goal and it’s game over.”
Cifuentes, who like Mowbray said he didn’t see the penalty incident, was indifferent about the sending off.
The Spaniard added: “I didn’t see it, but I always respect the referees.
“Knowing Koki and his Japanese culture, it would be very difficult for him to go down unless he felt some contact.”
West Brom confirmed the club has suspended the season ticket of a man who was arrested on suspicion of racial abuse.
The incident is believed to have happened in the West Stand during Saturday’s match and the abuse is alleged to have been aimed at a QPR player. The spectator was arrested by West Midlands Police.
In a statement on their official website, the Championship club said: “West Bromwich Albion has suspended the season ticket of a man arrested on suspicion of racially abusing a Queens Park Rangers player at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
“West Midlands Police are appealing for witnesses to assist their investigation into the incident, which took place in the West Stand during this afternoon’s game.
“The club will offer its full support to West Midlands Police’s criminal investigation and remains in contact with Queens Park Rangers.”
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