West Bromwich Albion 3-2 Hull City: Dwight Gayle double as Baggies win Hawthorns thriller

Dwight Gayle has scored 23 goals this season since joining West Brom on loan from Newcastle United

Two second-half goals from Dwight Gayle helped West Bromwich Albion come from a goal down to beat Hull City and consolidate fourth place in the Championship.

Kieran Gibbs put the Baggies ahead just before half-time when the former Arsenal defender volleyed in at the back post after a great cross from Tosin Adarabioyo.

But two excellent Todd Kane goals turned the game on its head. The Chelsea loanee levelled shortly after the restart when he picked up the ball on the halfway line, drove into the home half and blasted a shot into the top corner from 20 yards before finding the same spot 11 minutes later from the edge of the box.

But Gayle's header from a corner just three minutes later levelled the scores once again before he stabbed in Jacob Murphy's dangerous cross for the winner with five minutes to go.

The on-loan Newcastle striker, who now has 23 league goals for the season after hitting six in three games, almost completed a second successive hat-trick, but Eric Lichaj cleared his effort off the line.

Albion first-team coach Jimmy Shan, taking charge of his first game since being confirmed as caretaker boss until the end of the season, has now won five of his seven games in charge.

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Jarrod Bowen almost put Hull in front after 13 minutes, but his audacious volley on the turn just crept over the bar while Kamil Grosicki volleyed just wide.

The Baggies almost went ahead with six minutes left of the first half when first Hal Robson-Kanu saw an effort is blocked by Reece Burke before Stefan Johansen's follow-up with was saved by David Marshall.

Bowen had a great chance to put Hull ahead in between Kane's two goals - and change the course of the match - but his shot forced Sam Johnstone into an excellent one-handed save.

The three points keep the Baggies in fourth place in the Championship, four points clear of fifth-placed Aston Villa with three games to go, while Hull stay in ninth.

The Baggies are six points behind the automatic promotion places places, looking increasingly likely to face neighbours Villa in the play-offs.

West Bromwich Albion caretaker manager Jimmy Shan:

"Dwight has had two clinical finishes. When he had a dry patch I spoke about how important a player he is for us with his work ethic and appetite.

"He's got a great attitude and his scoring record this season has been fantastic.

"He is a key player but I'm looking at our squad as a whole, they're all key players and hopefully they will all contribute to this being a successful season."

Hull City manager Nigel Adkins:

"We have played some good football and Todd Kane scored two great goals to put us in the ascendancy.

"But we knew that West Brom are a threat at set-pieces and we know that in Gayle they have a goalscorer.

"You can't fault the effort and commitment of the players. We were tipped to get relegated. We were bottom of the league in October and the players have given everything.

"That effectively takes us away from the play-off positions. Mathematically, we are still in there but you to be realistic as well.

"But you cannot fault the players. They have given us everything this season."