Stadium: St Andrew's Attendance: 8,284 (1,983 away) Referee: Rob Jones
Competitions
Summary
August
Albion began the season with a 1–3 victory away at Queens Park Rangers. The Hoops took the lead in the 16th minute through Lucas Andersen, but Josh Maja equalised ten minutes later. Maja grabbed two more in the second half to seal the win and become the first Albion player to score a hat-trick since Dwight Gayle in the 2018-19 season.[45] A youthful Baggies side exited the EFL Cup just three days later, losing 2–1 at Fleetwood Town. Modou Faal gave Albion the lead, but the scoreline was turned around after goals from Ryan Graydon and Ronan Coughlan.[46] The first home game of the season was against Leeds United. In a cagey game, neither side could find the back of the net and it ended goalless.[47] Albion then won back to back away games, winning 1–2 at Stoke City. Karlan Grant put the Baggies in front inside 20 minutes after heading home a Tom Fellows cross. Lewis Koumas equalised for the hosts 10 minutes later, but Albion went back in front straight away through Josh Maja. No goals were scored in the second half as Albion made it 7 points from 3 games.[48] The Baggies picked up their first home victory of the season the following Saturday with 1–0 win over Swansea. Albion dominated the majority of proceedings but the game was decided by a Jayson Molumby goal in first half stoppage time, as they climbed to 2nd into the table.[49]
September
Albion continued their good form after the international break, winning 0–3 at Portsmouth to go top of the league. Josh Maja grabbed his fifth goal of the season inside the first minute, before Alex Mowatt's left-footed brace sealled the three points.[50] They followed that up with another 1–0 home victory over Wayne Rooney'sPlymouth Argyle. Josh Maja's second half strike was enough to see off the Pilgrims.[51] The unbeaten start came to an end at Hillsborough, Albion fighting back from two goals down but ultimately falling to a 3–2 defeat. Sheffield Wednesday went 2–0 up in the first half through a Darnell Furlong own goal and Josh Windass's header. Maja and Mowatt each scored and looked to have salvaged the Baggies a point, but Anthony Musaba struck late to win the game for the Owls.[52]
October
After their losing their unbeaten run, Albion lost again in midweek, 0–1 at home to Middlesbrough. There were few chances in the ninety minutes, but Hayden Hackney scored to steal the points for Boro late on.[53] The Baggies were then unable to break down Millwall, as the lions held on for a 0–0 draw. Going into the international break, Albion were sat 4th in the table.[54]Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium was first up after the break and Albion started brightly with Karlan Grant scoring in the 29th minute. They held on for the majority of the second half, but Dane Scarlett equalised for Oxford in stoppage time.[55] The winless run was stretched to 5 games, as Albion drew 0–0 away at Blackburn Rovers in midweek.[56] They failed to score again against in form Cardiff City with another goalless draw at The Hawthorns.[57]
November
The Baggies did find the net at Kenilworth Road, as Josh Maja broke his goal drought with a brilliant backheel in first half stoppage time.[58] However, Tahith Chong levelled for Luton in the second half and it finished 1–1. Albion then drew for the sixth successive time, drawing at home to Burnley 0–0.[59] In the final game before the November international break they did return to winning ways, coming away from Hull City with a 1–2 victory. Karlan Grant and Josh Maja and both scored within 17 mins, before João Pedro pulled one back for the Tigers. Albion managed to hold on for their first win in 9, and also to go 7 games unbeaten.[60] Albion returned with a blockbuster first half against Norwich City at the Hawthorns, with Holgate opening the scoring in the 11th minute. Norwich equalised through Emiliano Marcondes and went ahead via Albion defender Torbjorn Heggem, before Josh Maja hit back two minutes later. The second half unfortunately saw no goals and it ended 2–2.[61] The Baggies then made the long trip to Sunderland in midweek, and returned with a point. It finished goalless again, which was Albion's eight draw in 9 matches.[62] It was a familiar result away at Preston, Albion starting brightly and going ahead through Karlan Grant. However Emil Riis Jakobsen equalised for the hosts in the second half, and it once again finished level.[63]
December
Top of the table Sheffield United were the next to visit the Hawthorns in stormy conditions, and played out an entertaining draw. Torbjorn Heggem headed the Baggies in front with his first goal, but two minutes of madness saw the Blades in front through Callum O'Hare and Tyrese Campbell. Tom Fellows's deflected strike in the second half brought the sides level and it finished as Albion's 10th draw in 11 games.[64] In midweek a home win finally arrived, the first since September, against Frank Lampard's Sky Blues. Coventry had the greater share of possession but the Baggies were clinical, the goals coming from Alex Mowatt and Karlan Grant.[65] Albion's twelve game unbeaten run came to an end at Vicarage Road, falling to a 2–1 defeat at Watford. Vakoun Bayo had scored twice to put the hosts 2–0 up, and although Jayson Molumby pulled one back, Albion lost for the first time since September. [66]Mikey Johnston grabbed his first two goals of the season the following Sunday in a 2–0 victory over Bristol City.[67]Johnston scored twice in the first half at the Hawthorns in the final game before Christmas. However, late on Christmas Eve it was announced that Carlos Corberan had left the club to join Valencia, with Chris Brunt taking over interim duty.[68]Brunt's first game in charge was a trip to Pride Park to face Derby County, and it ended on the wrong end of a 2–1 scoreline. Jerry Yates put the hosts in front, and the Rams' lead was doubled after a Mason Holgate own goal. Grady Diangana came off the bench to score his first goal of the season but it turned out to be only a consolation.
[69]
Albion responded really well by earning a hard-fought point at Sheffield United three days later. The home side took the lead against the run of play through Andre Brooks, before Karlan Grant fired home a deserved equaliser for the Baggies on the stroke of half time. The visitors battled in an even second 45, but the final game of the year ultimately finished level.[70]
January
Albion began 2025 with a home game, against Preston North End, winning 3–1. Josh Maja broke his 8-game goal drought with a first half-brace and Callum Styles scored his first goal for the club, before Preston got one back in the second half through Ryan Ledson.[71]
Updated to match(es) played on 6 January 2025. Source: EFL Official Website Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Head-to-head results; 5) Wins; 6) Away goals; 7) Penalty points (sec 9.5); 8) Number of 12-point sending off offences; 9) Play-off (only if needed to determine promotion/relegation)[72]