Ajayi scores as West Brom’s promotion bid suffer setback against QPR

The Super Eagle continued with his imposing form, albeit, the Baggies wavered in their quest to secure topflight promotion

Semi Ajayi was on target as West Bromwich Albion settled for a 2-2 draw against Queens Park Rangers in Monday’s English Championship outing.

The Nigeria international’s 13th minute effort doubled the Baggies’ advantage three minutes after Brandon Thomas-Asante had put the hosts ahead at the Hawthorns.

SEMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! pic.twitter.com/T1HoiordqM

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) April 10, 2023

Ajayi prodded home past goalkeeper Seny Dieng from close range from a well worked set piece.

With that, the lanky scored for the first time in 20 months in the English second tier – his second strike for the West Midlands outfit – since joining them from Rotherham United.

Despite their two-goal advantage, the Hoops clawed back to pick a point against Carlos Corberan’s men.

First, Lyndon Dykes halved the deficit in the 22nd minute by brilliantly flicking Ilias Chair’s cross into the far corner of Josh Griffiths.

The comeback was completed four minutes into the second half though in bizarre fashion, when Chris Martin charged down a clearance from Griffiths, who was left red faced when the subsequent ricochet bounced into the back of the net.

That seemed to wake West Brom from their slumber though, and Conor Townsend, who had put a first half chance the wrong side of the post, had a low drive saved by Dieng.

Agonizingly, the fixture ended on a no winner, no vanquished note as West Brom failed in their quest to get the winner.

Semi Ajayi: WBA defender’s impressive stats against QPR

Goals – 1
Shots – 1
Shots on target – 1
Tackles – 1
Interceptions – 2
Clearances – 4
Aerials Won – 4
Touches – 61
Passes – 49
Passing Accuracy – 89.8 % pic.twitter.com/8b4VDzZtW5

— Shina Oludare 🇳🇬 (@sportingshina) April 10, 2023

Aside from his goal, stats proved that Ajayi – who was in action from start to finish – put up an awe-inspiring display with one tackle, two interceptions, and four clearances.

Interestingly, he won four aerials while accruing 61 touches, 49 passes and a passing accuracy of 89.8 per cent.

“We started really well and we scored the two goals. We had advantages to score more goals and create more chances, but we didn’t use them,” manager Corberan told the Baggies website.

“All of the things that we have done well to help us achieve results, we didn’t do and we lost what we do well.

“We conceded quite a lot of clear chances and didn’t manage to create too many ourselves.

“I don’t think the team is feeling as confident as they once were and I think that is affecting them at the moment.

“The difficulties are affecting us more than they perhaps should.

“Some of the things that are happening to us in the season such as losing a lot of important players to injury, we shouldn’t use that as an excuse because we should have enough possibilities to cover and face the difficulty.

“We should have used the time better to make a difference to the result, especially in the first half.

With this result, West Brom occupy the 11th spot having amassed 57 points from 40 outings in the 2022-23 campaign.

Next up for them is a trip to bet365 Stadium where they are guests of Stoke City.