Josh Maja smashed an opening-day hat-trick to exorcise the demons of last season’s injury nightmare.
The 25-year-old West Brom striker started only ONE game last term after arriving from Bordeaux 12 months ago.
But on just his second start two towering headers and an acrobatic volley saw Maja complete a treble to seal a come-from-behind victory for the Baggies following Lucas Andersen’s opener. And manager Carlos Corberan was delighted that Maja had shown fans in devastating fashion what they have been missing.
Corberan, whose side lost in the play-off semis to Southampton in May, said: “Josh was a key player with the three goals, though credit must go to every single man out there.
“He suffered a lot last season with the injuries, it was complicated for him. Players want to play, and strikers want to score. This was only his second start for the club in a whole year. And the first one against Sunderland last year was the one where he got injured again for a second time.
“I like to see the team focused to fight and compete, and they did that very well especially after falling a goal behind. We are not thinking much any more about the play-offs semi-final last season because several of those players are no longer here. But I saw what I wanted today.”
The West Brom fans had started chanting ‘Are you Jesus in disguise’ at the long-haired, bearded Dane Lucas Andersen. And he duly came up with a moment of divine inspiration. Rayan Kolli put in a cross from the left – and Andersen planted his header past Alex Palmer.
The Baggies almost equalised after 24 minutes as Karlan Grant’s cut-back just eluded Maja and Darnell Furlong. But they didn’t have to wait long to draw level. New boy left-back Torbjorn Heggem put in a perfect cross that was headed in at the near post by Nigerian striker Maja.
After 51 minutes West Brom turned the match on its head. Tom Fellows floated in a cross and Maja muscled defenders out of the way to head home.
The home side saw claims for handball and a foul during a goalmouth scramble turned down by David Webb. But in the 65th minute Maja acrobatically hooked home his hat-trick goal following more good work from Fellows.
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Goalscoring hero Maja received a standing ovation from the away fans as he was replaced by debutant Devante Cole after 75 minutes.
Marti Cifuentes said: “There are always expectations at the start of the season, and so there is disappointment and frustration – not only for the result, but for the performance.
“We must learn quickly, and do better in both boxes. We finished last season in a good moment but that is over now. The club are working hard to bring in what I want in the window.”
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