Alex Mowatt’s double sees West Brom dismiss Portsmouth and go into top spot

Alex Mowatt's two goals, following Josh Maja's rise to the Championship's top scorer, propelled West Brom to the top of the league with a decisive 3-0 win against a Portsmouth side still searching for their first victory.

The on-fire Maja netted his fifth goal of the season just seconds into the match, trailing only Manchester City's Erling Haaland in goals across the top four leagues this season. Mowatt added two more goals in the second half, helping the undefeated Baggies take a one-point lead over Sunderland at the top of the table.

Albion, maintaining the same lineup for the fifth consecutive game this season, took the lead just 54 seconds into the match. A quick throw-in on the right side allowed Tom Fellows to speed past Connor Ogilvie and send a pass back into the center of the box. Maja was on hand to strike it powerfully past Will Norris, marking his fifth goal from just nine attempts this season. This was also Fellows' fourth assist, making him the leading provider in both the Premier League and EFL thus far in this campaign.

It kicked off an exciting first half, with both teams giving it their all. Pompey controlled the ball more and looked dangerous, but their best opportunity to respond quickly came from their pressing game, which surprised West Brom several times.

Mowatt made a significant mistake when Calum Lang intercepted the ball from him, but Lang's shot ended up being deflected just off target. Meanwhile, at the opposite end, Fellows nearly scored after he dribbled in and sent a low shot that went just wide of the goal. Shortly after, Norris had to react quickly to a powerful shot from Karlan Grant coming from the other side, managing to touch it away just in time.

However, it was Maja, who had been quietly waiting, that had the greatest opportunity to double the score to 2-0. The forward slipped in at the far post to connect with a long throw from Darnell Furlong that had bypassed everyone in the center, but somehow, Norris managed to make a spectacular save. The goal decision system indicated that the ball was just millimeters away from crossing the line. Shortly after, Fellows got the better of Ogilvie again, lifting the ball towards the back post, but Grant was unable to direct his header downwards.

Albion came out strong in the second half and scored their second goal just six minutes in, with Mowatt netting his seventh for the team. The midfielder initiated the play from the halfway line, and after some clever passing between John Swift and Grant, the ball made its way back to Mowatt, who skillfully placed it in the top corner.

Murphy made a strong run across the goal while Portsmouth struggled to get back into the game, unable to manage a single shot on target.

During injury time, Mowatt curled a free-kick into the opposite corner from where he scored his first goal, leaving the 2,159 West Brom supporters delighted as they headed home.