The chant 'we're on our way' reverberated around the vociferous areas of The Hawthorns as Albion extended their lead at the top of the EFL Championship following a two-nil victory over Preston North End. This took their February points haul to sixteen, a very healthy accumulation at a time of the year where key promotion drives tend to kick on. The overwhelming view on this latest win was that all areas of the team are functioning well and the signs are getting stronger that the Premier League is on the horizon. There may well have been a routine nature to the game, which Albion dominated from start to finish, though helped in the latter stages when a straight red card reduced the visitors to ten men. In reality, Preston produced a very tame effort, even with a full eleven, for a team lying in sixth place with a firm eye on challenging for a play-off place.
The football served in the first half was as slick as the greasy surface watered by wintery downpours with sublime elements especially found in the midfield play. Matheus Pereira pulled the strings as the Brazilian has done all season, and he continues to gel with rejuvenated fellow loanee Filip Krovinovic. Jake Livermore, christened 'Captain Fantastico' by the supporters crowned another domineering and strong impactful performance with a rare goal, while Rekeem Harper showed glimpses of what made him a highly rated young player only twelve months ago when deputising for the suspended Romaine Sawyers.
Up front there were once again vital contributions from Callum Robinson and Hal Robson-Kanu, with the former setting up the latter for the opening goal following a pinpoint accurate pass. The defence was just as effective in their own way with another clean sheet, the fourth of what is turning out to be a 'fantastic' February. While Kyle Bartley has been a revelation at centre half all season, you get the impression manager Slaven Billic is finally blooding his preferred central defensive pairing with Ahmed Hegazi showing his true mettle at this level alongside the ever consistent Semi Ajayi. The biggest plusses in the defence have been the ever improving performances of Connor Townsend and Dara O'Shea. Townsend has not looked back since scoring the winner in the cup at West Ham and you can even hear the whisper, is Kieran Gibbs going to get back in when fit. A few have queried replacing Darnell Furlong at right back with O'Shea, but this shrewd move by the manager is reaping dividends from the strong defensive and assured displays given by the young Irishman.
In fact on another successful evening, the only player who didn't shine was goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, by virtue that Preston failed to trouble him with hardly a memorable shot over the ninety minutes. It was that comfortable a win.
'We're on our way' may not be the most original chant to emanate from the singing sections, but you can't deny its accuracy. Wigan Athletic next up at home on Saturday followed by the fifth round FA Cup clash with Newcastle in a week's time. Busy days at The Hawthorns but hugely satisfying ones at the moment.
