Hinshelwood the hero as Albion beat the champions

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Report and Fabian Hurzeler's reaction as Albion beat Liverpool 3-2 in a thriller at the Amex.

Bruce Talbot

2025-05-19T22:00+01:00

Delight for Jack Hinshelwood in front of the North Stand after he made it 3-2 shortly after coming off the bench. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

Albion came from behind to hand champions Liverpool only their fourth league defeat of the season in a thriller at the Amex.

Liverpool took an early lead through Harvey Elliott, but Yasin Ayari levelled with his second goal of the season. Albion suffered a blow in first-half stoppage time when Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunning second but Albion showed great character to fight back in the second half – and it was Fabian Hurzeler’s substitutions who inspired them.

Delight for Yasin Ayari after he scored his second goal in three games at the Amex. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

Kaoru Mitoma’s smartly-taken volley with 20 minutes to go was the least Albion deserved, then with five minutes remaining Matt O’Riley teed up another substitute Jack Hinshelwood, who scored his third goal of the season from close range.

A third win out of four ensured at least a top-ten finish for Albion and the dream of European football next season is still alive with Sunday's finale at Spurs to come, which will start with Hurzeler's team eighth in the table.

Goalscorer and goal creator - Yasin Ayari and Brajan Gruda - celebrate after combining for the first goal. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

It was a night to remember in so many ways, none more so than for 17-year-old Harry Howell who came on to make his debut in the closing stages.

Liverpool had gone in front after nine minutes, having already gone close when Cody Gakpo – one of five Dutchmen on the pitch - cut onto his right foot and shot a yard wide. Szoboszlai started the move with a crossfield ball to Mo Salah who cushioned a pass into Conor Bradley’s path. The right-back nutmegged Pervis Estupinan, wrong-footed Adam Webster with a clever feint and laid the ball on a plate for Elliott to finish from two yards out box.

Yasin Ayari holds off Kostas Tsimikas to score Albion's first equaliser. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

Albion responded positively and Danny Welbeck rose to head Minteh’s cross narrowly wide before they deservedly drew level in the 32nd minute. Brajan Gruda cushioned a lovely pass with his instep to Ayari, who held off Federico Chiesa’s challenge and threaded a low right-foot shot inside the post. Gruda then slalomed past four players on a brilliant run and laid the ball into Adingra’s path, but Bradley made a vital block.

Delight for Kaoru Mitoma who equalised with his tenth Premier League goal of the season. 📷 James Boardman.

In stoppage time Albion were caught completely cold by a free-kick on the right which Szoboszlai thrashed right-footed from an angle on the right over Bart Verbruggen and into the far corner.

Verbruggen’s opposite Alisson sprung to his left to keep out Welbeck’s free-kick from the edge of the box five minutes into the second half before getting behind the impressive Gruda’s powerful shot. At the other end Salah should have converted Gakpo’s cross at the end of a counter-attack but instead put his shot wide - a big turning point.

Jan Paul van Hecke shrugs off Federico Chiesa. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

Back came Albion and Allison rescued Liverpool on the hour when Gruda’s brilliant backheel created space for Welbeck but the Brazilian goalkeeper smothered his shot. It was then Verbruggen’s turn to impress next when he showed great reflexes to save Salah’s shot in a crowded six-yard box.

Brajan Gruda created Albion's first goal against Liverpool with a great pass. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

It was 2-2 with 20 minutes left and no more than Albion deserved. Alisson denied Welbeck again, but Mitoma reacted quickest to the loose ball and sent a brilliant left-foot volley into the net for his 11th goal of the season.

Could there be one last twist? There could and it was two of the substitutes who combined for the winner. O’Riley was just onside when he crossed from the left and Hinshelwood, arriving unmarked at the far post behind fellow sub Howell, fired gleefully into the net. VAR confirmed the goal was good and the North Standers roared their delight as Hinshelwood celebrated in front of them.

The line-up

Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan, Ayari (Gomez 73), Baleba, Adingra (Mitoma 65), Gruda (O’Riley 73), Minteh (Hinshelwood 84), Welbeck (Howell 84). Subs not used: Rushworth, Igor, Dunk, Veltman.

Referee: A. Madley.

Fabian Hurzeler gets his point across during Albion's 3-2 win over Liverpool at the Amex. 📷 Paul Hazlewood.

Fabian Hurzeler's reaction...

"I am really proud of the team. There have been a lot of highs and lows throughout the season and it's important we don't overreact and stay grounded and humble because there is still one game to go, but I'm really proud of the team.

"It's about the tactical side but also the mental side too. You can only be successful if you stick together and we proved that today. The first Liverpool goal was a wake-up signal for us but the players changed the intensity on the pitch and I was happy with their reaction.

"Of course players like Matt O'Riley and Jack Hinshelwood wanted to start but they had the right mentality, which was to come on and help the team when they did and that is what happened. It was Brajan Gruda's best game for us as well. He has come from a different country and he's away from his family. He never gives up and always tries to improve in training and show character. He got the reward for all his hard work tonight.

"I always give young players the chance because it's not about your age if you're good enough and that is the reason Harry Howell got an opportunity and he did great, he came into the game and made an impact."