West Brom go second in the Championship after breezing past Bristol City in match that was TWICE delayed for separate medical emergencies involving a supporter from each team
- West Brom beat Bristol City 3-0 to move into the automatic promotion spots
- Match was delayed as a West Brom fan required medical attention in the stands
- Another medical emergency involving a Bristol City fan occurred at half-time
- Jordan Hugill, Kyle Bartley and Karlan Grant scored for the Baggies in the win
West Brom returned to the automatic promotion places in a much-delayed game at The Hawthorns, sweeping aside Bristol City.
Jordan Hugill, Kyle Bartley and Karlan Grant punished woeful defending from Bristol City but four delays – two for medical emergencies after a supporter from each team was carried away in unrelated incidents and two for injuries to players – caused a 25-minute delay.
A West Brom supporter in the Halford Lane Stand was carried from the crowd on a stretcher causing kick-off to be delayed for 15 minutes. The fan was conscious and able to put his thumb up.
Kyle Bartley scored the second goal in West Brom’s comfortable 3-0 victory over Bristol City
The match was delayed by 15 minutes due to a West Brom fan requiring medical attention
A third defeat on the bounce made it a miserable return to West Brom for manager and former Albion assistant boss Nigel Pearson after the departure of coach Paul Simpson.
The departure of assistant head coach Keith Downing – another ex-West Brom assistant – was also expected to be confirmed.
West Brom took a seventh minute lead when Darnell Furlong crossed and Hugill tapped home as Albion dominated.
Hugill sliced over from close range and there was a further delay after he collided with the post.
He recovered to hook over the bar before a chip from Robert Snodgrass hit the inside of the post.
Bristol City’s Nathan Baker was forced off with an injury in a match with several lengthy delays
There was a further lengthy stoppage, this time for Nathan Baker, who was eventually stretchered off with what appeared to be a neck or head injury.
West Brom doubled their lead when Bartley glanced into the far corner from Furlong’s long throw-in.
After 10 minutes of time added on, at half-time there was another medical emergency to allow the emergency services to treat a Bristol City fan, who was given oxygen as he was taken away in a wheelchair.
It was 3-0 in the 52nd minute, after more poor City defending.
Sub Danny Simpson’s poor backpass after a Bristol corner left Grant the chance to slot past Bentley.
Karlan grant added a third for his side as they moved up into the automatic promotion places