Mikey Johnston celebrate his second goal of the afternoon for West Bromwich Albion Rex Features

Mikey Johnston scored seven times on loan to Albion from Celtic in the spring but had not netted since completing his move to The Hawthorns on August transfer deadline day

Ged Scott at The Hawthorns
BBC Sport England

Mikey Johnston found his missing goal touch as West Bromwich Albion beat Bristol City to win at home for only the fourth time this season.

The Glasgow-born Republic of Ireland international ended his personal drought with two strikes in nine first-half minutes - his first goals since April.

That leaves Carlos Corberan's Baggies seventh in the Championship at Christmas, level on 35 points with sixth-placed Middlesbrough, to make it a 'Feliz Navidad' for their Spanish boss - as The Hawthorns' stadium sound system reminded him at the final whistle.

But, for Bristol City, it is now four games without a win, to leave them 12th - eight points off the play-off pack.

After a terribly disappointing opening half-hour stalemate involving two teams who have drawn 20 games between them this season, the game suddenly erupted into life on 34 minutes with the first of Johnston's quickfire double.

Winger Tom Fellows got to the right byeline, curled over a lovely hanging right-foot cross and Johnston, only recalled after a hamstring injury to Karlan Grant, arrived unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box to head home.

It was his first goal in 25 Albion appearances since 6 April - yet his next one arrived only nine minutes later.

Having picked up the ball in space on the left, he cut inside, picked his way into the City penalty area and then curled a right-foot beauty inside the far-right upright - a welcome reminder of three of last season's quality strikes in a Baggies shirt.

Albion players celebrate Mikey Johnston's second goal at The Hawthorns Getty Images

Albion have had cause to celebrate only four home wins this season - but each time they have been back-to-back victories

The visitors almost responded before half-time when Anis Mehmeti's far-post cross found Luke McNally's head but Albion goalkeeper Alex Palmer palmed it over the bar.

But, other than forcing an early second-half Palmer save from Fally Mayulu, City had little response in an increasingly dispiriting second-half for the visitors.

Johnston twice went close before his hopes of a hat-trick were ended by his withdrawal on 73 minutes to allow fit-again Grady Diangana a return to action.

Top scorer Josh Maja and substitute Uros Racic also tested Max O'Leary before fellow sub Devante Cole was fed by Diangana but could only poke the ball past the far post at full stretch - a miss that cost Albion a place in the top six.

Who's next?

Albion are now on the road for the next two games, with trips to Derby County on Boxing Day followed by Sheffield United next Sunday and then a home date with Preston North End on New Year's Day.

City face successive home games - against Luton Town on Boxing Day, then Portsmouth on the Sunday, before a New Year's Day all West Country lunchtime clash with Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.

West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan told BBC Sport:

"We did not find the right fluidity in the first half.

"But we scored two good goals and won the game then.

"It was important for Mikey Johnston to score. It was good for him and the team. It will help him to keep growing as a player.

"When you know that you are scoring goals the previous year, you have a responsibility. You should be free to go again with this feeling."

Bristol City boss Liam Manning told BBC Sport:

"They were better than us in all areas. And we let in two soft goals.

"But all of us collectively have to be better. And I look at myself in that. Did I get it right?

"They're very well organised but we lacked energy and aggression and didn't have the quality to break them down.

"And we need to respond on Boxing Day. We can't afford to drift. We need wins."

Liam Manning speaks to BBC Radio Bristol following defeat by West Bromwich Albion

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