West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Rotherham United – Baggies ease to victory over Millers

West Bromwich Albion bolstered their place within the Championship play-off slots as they comfortably noticed off already-relegated Rotherham United.

With 4 video games left, Carlos Corberan’s aspect are six factors behind fourth-placed Southampton – 4 forward of sixth-placed Norwich Metropolis and, most crucially, 9 away from seventh-placed Coventry Metropolis.

However they wanted the assistance of a colossal refereeing blunder to ensure their twentieth league win of the season on the again of three straight attracts.

Albion led on 23 minutes when recalled left-back Adam Attain skinned his marker out vast earlier than crossing for unmarked high scorer Thomas-Asante to attain his twelfth purpose of the marketing campaign – from lower than a foot out.

However the Baggies’ second purpose a minute in first-half damage time was virtually comical – though not for Rotherham, following the weekend affirmation of relegation again to League One.

Thomas-Asante powered in a fierce right-foot shot from effectively outdoors the realm, which Rotherham defender Lee Peltier tried to dam, just for the ball to smack him within the face, coated by his outstretched defending arm.

However not solely did referee Geoff Eltringham wrongly view it as handball, he adjudged that it occurred contained in the penalty space, when in actual fact Peltier was at the very least a yard outdoors the field.

Mr Eltringham booked one in every of Rotherham’s teaching workers, Rob Kelly, the previous Wolves and Albion assistant supervisor, for the severity of his protest.

Swift then drilled residence from the spot for his ninth purpose of the season – and it appeared prefer it was a query of simply what number of Albion would win by.

However Albion had a much-changed aspect lacking illness-hit skipper Jed Wallace, having made 4 alterations.

As an alternative, in entrance of their meagre following of simply 179 away followers, in a weirdly subdued environment, together with new proprietor Shilen Patel at Albion’s third-lowest residence gate of the season, Rotherham put in a spirited second-half show and weren’t breached once more.

The Millers have 14 gamers out of contract this summer time and are clearly in for a summer time shake-up below Leam Richardson – however there have been at the very least indicators of hope for subsequent season.

Who’s subsequent?

Albion are at residence once more this Saturday, once they host unpredictable Sunderland.

Rotherham are once more on their travels, at Swansea.

West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan informed BBC Sport:

“I didn’t see a video of the penalty incident however I knew from the extent of protest from the Rotherham bench that there was doubt.

“I hope to see the crew compete at their greatest degree from now till the tip of the season.

“Each recreation is difficult however we have to maintain going and obtain one thing unbelievable.”

Rotherham United boss Leam Richardson informed BBC Sport:

“The penalty is a mistaken one, a poor one and it adjustments the entire final result of the sport.

“It is a shot which hits him outdoors the field and within the face too. I’ve not seen that earlier than.

“We had an assessor tried to get within the dressing room and I have been informed about related selections this season and apology letters, however I’ve received no time for any of that.

“It isn’t been good for us since I have been within the job. However we have been at all times at all times within the recreation and we appeared good on the counter assault.”