West Brom ease past Watford to boost playoff ambitions

West Bromwich Albion moved to the brink of securing a playoff spot in the Championship with a convincing 3-1 win over Watford at The Hawthorns on Tuesday night. The Baggies' third consecutive victory has put them in a strong position to qualify for the post-season, sitting five points clear of seventh place with just three games to play. Daryl Dike, returning from injury, was instrumental in the victory, scoring twice in the first half to put West Brom in command. The American striker's power and presence gave Watford's defense significant problems throughout the encounter, and his brace took his tally to eight goals since joining from Austin FC in January. Corberan will be particularly pleased with the defensive solidity his side showed, limiting Watford to few clear-cut chances while maintaining their quality going forward. The Hornets, under their new management, offered some resistance but ultimately could not cope with West Brom's superior organization and tactical discipline. A late consolation from Emmanuel Agbadou gave Watford fans something to cheer, but it was little more than a footnote on what was otherwise a dominant home performance. With momentum firmly with them, West Brom appear well-placed to secure a top-six finish and set up a playoff campaign that could end with a return to the Premier League after three years away.