Match ends, West Bromwich Albion 3, Bristol City 0.
West Brom cruised past Bristol City to move up to second in the Championship in a game which was twice delayed because of medical emergencies in the crowd.
Kick-off at The Hawthorns was put back by 15 minutes while a home fan was treated, with the second half also starting late after a Robins supporter was taken ill.
After the game West Brom said both fans were conscious in hospital and would receive further treatment.
On the pitch the Baggies were dominant, Jordan Hugill's first goal for the club putting them ahead from a low Darnell Furlong cross before the full-back once again supplied the ammunition when his long throw was headed home by Kyle Bartley.
Nigel Pearson's Bristol City were sloppy throughout and fell three behind as Danny Simpson's poor backpass allowed Karlan Grant to steal in and confidently finish from the edge of the box.
The Robins remain 16th in the table after a fourth defeat in five games and they were fortunate not to lose by a wider margin, while Valerien Ismael's side were much improved on their recent subdued displays.
On top of the medical stoppages there were 10 minutes of added time in the first half because of an injury to Bristol City defender Nathan Baker, who was stretchered off with a head injury, meaning the game did not finish until just after 17:20 BST.
Baker was given oxygen on the field and taken to hospital as a precaution, but was discharged on Saturday evening and will be monitored by the club's medical team.
West Brom were without injured talisman Alex Mowatt, with veteran Robert Snodgrass making his first start of the season, but Hugill could have scored a first-half hat-trick as the hosts created a hatful of opportunities.
Straight after conceding the opener Robins striker Nahki Wells had the ball in the back of the net, only to be denied by a very late - but correctly raised - offside flag, and it all went downhill from there.
Scotland international Snodgrass curled against the inside of the post before the Baggies doubled their lead and, with the score at 3-0, Hugill saw an effort cleared off the line after being played through by the returning Grady Diangana.
Bristol City have now conceded 31 goals in their past 11 league games against West Brom, who stay unbeaten at home in the Championship this season and remain six points behind leaders Bournemouth.
Bosses wish fans well
Both managers started their post-match interviews by giving their best wishes to the two supporters who required emergency treatment in the stadium.
"It was a very strange afternoon," former Barnsley head coach Ismael told BBC Radio WM.
"To the two fans and the Bristol player as well, the best wishes for their recoveries from me, my staff and the club."
His opposite number Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol: "I'm glad that both supporters are doing OK.
"It's only a game of football after all, so it was always going to be more important that those medical issues were dealt with in the appropriate manner."
However the Bristol City manager was not complimentary about his side's display.
"We made it far too easy for them - I thought we were very disjointed, we made far too many unforced errors and didn't get to grips with the pace of the game.
"Credit to West Brom, they pressed very quickly, they made it difficult for players to have time on the ball and we made so many poor decisions."
On his team's performance, West Brom boss Ismael added: "I think we learned to keep the concentration and focus on the game and it was great to see.
"It was really perfect because we should score more goals and we're moving now in a good direction."
Line-ups
West Brom
Formation 3-4-3
- 1Johnstone
- 6Ajayi
- 5BartleyBooked at 79mins
- 16ClarkeSubstituted forBryanat 82'minutes
- 2Furlong
- 23Snodgrass
- 14Molumby
- 3TownsendSubstituted forReachat 85'minutes
- 10PhillipsSubstituted forRobinsonat 61'minutes
- 17Hugill
- 18GrantSubstituted forDianganaat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Robinson
- 11Diangana
- 20Reach
- 21Kipré
- 22Bryan
- 25Button
- 29Gardner-Hickman
Bristol City
Formation 3-1-4-2
- 1Bentley
- 22Kalas
- 5Atkinson
- 17BakerSubstituted forPringat 23'minutes
- 6James
- 19TannerSubstituted forSimpsonat 34'minutesBooked at 67mins
- 14Weimann
- 42MassengoSubstituted forBakinsonat 87'minutes
- 3DasilvaBooked at 45minsSubstituted forO'Dowdaat 64'minutes
- 9Martin
- 21Wells
Substitutes
- 2Simpson
- 11O'Dowda
- 12O'Leary
- 15Bakinson
- 16Pring
- 33Bell
- 36Scott
- Referee:
- Josh Smith
- Attendance:
- 23,845
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home23
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home9
- Away2
- Corners
- Home11
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, West Bromwich Albion 3, Bristol City 0.
Post update
Offside, West Bromwich Albion. Callum Robinson tries a through ball, but Grady Diangana is caught offside.
Post update
Adam Reach (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Nahki Wells (Bristol City).
Post update
Attempt missed. Andreas Weimann (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Nahki Wells with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Bristol City. Tyreeq Bakinson replaces Han-Noah Massengo.
Post update
Foul by Jordan Hugill (West Bromwich Albion).
Post update
Robert Atkinson (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, West Bromwich Albion. Adam Reach replaces Conor Townsend.
Post update
Jordan Hugill (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Han-Noah Massengo (Bristol City).
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Attempt saved. Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Corner, West Bromwich Albion. Conceded by Matty James.
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Attempt blocked. Jordan Hugill (West Bromwich Albion) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Attempt saved. Kean Bryan (West Bromwich Albion) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the top left corner. Assisted by Kyle Bartley.
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Attempt missed. Semi Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Robert Snodgrass following a set piece situation.
Substitution
Substitution, West Bromwich Albion. Kean Bryan replaces Matthew Clarke.
Post update
Grady Diangana (West Bromwich Albion) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Matty James (Bristol City).
Comments
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Most important thing.
And the fan at Newcastle last week.
Shows the importance of defibrillators and quick medical attention.
Well done to all who helped them 👍👏👏👏👏
Snodgrass and Molumby in midfield dominated the game.
No idea what Bristol were doing for most of that game - sleeping?
All appointed by sl whose next master plan is a season in league 1
Brilliant city. Awful sports.