Baggies to host Peterborough in fourth round
- Rondon bags second-half winner (52)
- Striker's fourth goal of the season
- Baggies now face Posh in next round
- Albion Star Man: James McClean
- Attendance: 15,185
A single second-half goal from Salomon Rondon eased Albion past Bristol City to book an FA Cup fourth round home tie against Peterborough United.
Rondon struck with a delicate clip over keeper Max O’Leary in the 52nd minute of an Ashton Gate replay safely negotiated by the Baggies after the Championship club had come within seconds of eliminating them in the first game.
It wasn’t a problem-free night for Tony Pulis’s side who had to tackle this game depleted by the absence of injured Darren Fletcher and James Morrison and unwell Jonas Olsson and Saido Berahino.
Their most worrying moment, a 15th-minute chance Wes Burns drilled a fraction wide, also saw Chris Brunt suffer an injury which took him out of the contest to be replaced by Sebastien Pocognoli.
But Albion handled the home side’s isolated moments of threat with composure and gave Ben Foster a well-constructed screen as he completed his second comeback game.
And after a barren run, the match-winning moment will do Rondon the power of good.
The Venezuela international collected a beautifully-flighted chip from Craig Dawson, chested the ball down and then defeated O’Leary’s dive with a subtle clip.
That was enough to book Albion the chance to bid for a fifth round spot when they face the League One opponents on the weekend of January 30.
Bristol City: O’Leary; Little (Ayling 77), Flint, Baker, Williams; Reid, Pack, Freeman (Kodjia 66); Burns, Wilbraham, Wagstaff (Agard 84).
Subs: Wollacot, Bryan, Vyner, Morrell.
Albion: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, Evans, Brunt (Pocognoli 16); Sessegnon, Yacob, Gardner, McClean; Anichebe (Lambert 89), Rondon (Chester 86).
Subs: Lindegaard, Gamboa, McManaman, Leko.
Bookings: Yacob (45, pushing);
Referee: Jonathon Moss (Tyne and Wear)