Albion secured their passage into the knockout stages of the Premier League Cup with a resounding win over Fleetwood Town in Solihull on Friday night.
The Baggies grabbed the win they needed to progress, while the other Group C clash between Swansea and Southampton was a draw.
Two first-half strikes from Eseosa Sule and Souleyman Mandey began a comfortable showing for the hosts, before a strike from Michael Parker confirmed the victory.
Albion started quickly, as Sule cushioned down a ball over the Fleetwood defence before his second touch, a shot on the turn, was deflected away by the legs of goalkeeper Oliver Bellizia.
The warning signs weren’t read by the visiting defence, who struggled to deal with Sule again moments later. The Scotsman timed his run perfectly before coolly slotting low past the ‘keeper to put the hosts in the ascendency.
Mandey was next to profit from the Cods' high line, freed after some intricate passing play in midfield and rifling into the roof of the net.
The Baggies could’ve added a third to their total before the 20-minute mark. Akeel Higgins’ smooth backheel found Sule, whose shot was parried, but only as far as Mandey, with the midfielder seeing his rebound caught by Bellizia.
Winger Ollie Bostock almost capped off a perfect first half for Albion, but volleyed Higgins’ looping cross just over the crossbar.
Fleetwood had a better spell at the beginning of the second period. Crispin McLean was found with a cut-back, only to see his effort tipped over the crossbar by Albion goalkeeper Joe Wallis.
The Baggies almost extended their advantage on 70 minutes. Deago Nelson’s energetic run was spotted by Adriel Walker, with the right-back forcing a reflex save from Bellizia.
The resulting corner was met by Reece Hall, whose effort ricocheted off both the crossbar and the post before falling into the goalkeeper’s arms.
Albion’s patience soon paid off though, as Michael Parker’s ambitious overlap was found with some neat combination play, leaving him the simple task of stroking past the goalkeeper for the hosts’ third - securing their place in the knockout stages of the PL Cup.
Albion: Wallis, Nelson, Diomande, Parker, Humphries (Shaw 46’); Hall, Deeming (Mohammed 60’); Higgins, Mandey, Bostock (Walker 44’); Sule (Mfuamba 46’).
Substitutes: Cisse.
