Taylor praises Hugill as he fires Rotherham to win over WBA

Rotherham manager Matt Taylor said Jordan Hugill showed his character as the striker led his team to a 3-1 win over West Brom.

The Millers’ captain had quite the afternoon against his former club as he netted twice but not before gifting the visitors the lead by giving a penalty away.

Rotherham played with an urgency and intensity that West Brom could not contain and were worthy of the three points which nudges them a little closer to safety.

Taylor said: “We know this formation, if it functions well, can and will create chances.

“How we were behind in the game I’ll never know. It was so, so important we got back in the game so soon after going behind. The equalising goal was a big moment. We did not feel too bad about ourselves for too long.

“We just seemed to enjoy our game today. There was spice and fight. Our intent was spot on and we kept going forward. But I really liked our backline. They won’t get the headlines but it was a platform for us to build on.

“I feel like this was the best we have played in a long time. We are going in the right direction.

“It was important Jordan got his goals when he did. The first half an hour for him was a test of character. He missed a couple of chances and gave away the penalty. But chances kept coming his way. As all goalscorers do, they thrive on confidence.

“If we play like we did today, we will keep giving ourselves a chance.”

Hugill missed a huge chance in the opening few minutes and his afternoon looked like being one to forget when he tripped Conor Townsend in the box.

John Swift tucked home from the spot but Albion’s lead was short-lived.

Hugill made amends before the break when he rose highest to head in from Conor Coventry’s corner.

The skipper still had more to do and he put the Millers ahead early in the second period as he headed in Shane Ferguson’s freekick.

Goalkeeper Josh Griffiths ensured Hugill could not secure a hat-trick as the goalkeeper was quick off his line to deny him.

Rotherham had been good value for the lead but needed to seal the points late on.

It looked like coming when Chiedozie Ogbene’s effort unluckily rebounded off the post but from the resulting attack Tariqe Fosu wriggled into space and then poked into the roof of the net.

The scoreline was almost made more emphatic in injury time but the unlucky Ogbene again saw his effort rattle the woodwork instead of the net.

West Brom head coach Carlos Corberan said: “Today is a day to be disappointed with the result and the performance.

“We all knew the type of game we could play. We all knew we had to win second balls and compete at set pieces.

“I think they found a way to be better than us. We did not win enough second balls. In defence we were late to defend.

“We could have conceded more goals than the three we did. There are things we need to do better.

“They competed in their own way and we could not impose our own style. There is a lot of disappointment, frustration and pain.”