Jeremy Sarmiento: West Brom match-winner reveals dad's advice led to goal at Cardiff
- Published
Jeremy Sarmiento played for England at youth level but represented Ecuador at the 2022 World Cup
West Brom midfielder Jeremy Sarmiento admitted he had his dad to thank after scoring a spectacular winner for the Baggies against Cardiff City.
The Ecuador international struck early in the second half as Albion moved up to third in the Championship table.
It was his second for the club - but first since their 4-2 home victory over Middlesbrough in August.
"I heard my dad in the stands (tell me) to shoot," the 21-year-old loanee told BBC WM Sport.
"Since I was a little kid, my dad's always been on my side, trying to direct me what to do, and I literally heard him, so it was a great feeling."
The match was only his second start in 13 league appearances since joining Albion from Premier League side Brighton in the summer.
"I'm young, learning a lot from the lads, mostly Matty Phillips. He helps me a lot as we play in the same position.
"I look at him as a big brother. He always tells me the right stuff, and the wrong stuff not to do."
'We have a lot of confidence right now'
Following injury problems at Brighton, Sarmiento is happy to be fully fit and revelling in the "family" atmosphere around The Hawthorns as they look to mount a strong challenge for promotion under Carlos Corberan.
"When I first came in, you could just tell it's a family club, they settled me in well and everything is just there for you to perform," he said.
"The lads are enjoying winning games - obviously that's going to get us to our objective - and we have a lot of confidence right now. We hope to keep picking up points.
"In my head, I'm always looking to be ready as a sub or at the start of the game - I'm working hard on my fitness, to get stronger."
Head coach Corberan said he had been surprised by Sarmiento's decision to shoot from the position he was in.
"He has the quality and he was very positive, but it was not easy from the angle that he had," he added.
"It's important for Jeremy to have the minutes because the injury has stopped him having the continuity he needs to have.
"We know he is a young player with a lot of talent and he needs to keep building his level. The more he improves the better it is for the team."
Albion have won five of their last six league games - a 2-1 defeat at Southampton being the only blemish - but now face a home showdown with Championship pacesetters Leicester City on Saturday (12:30 GMT) .
They have not beaten the Foxes in a home league game since 2010, losing the most recent three years ago 3-0, when both were in the top flight.
Albion are also likely to be without skipper Jed Wallace, who went off with a shoulder injury in the 21st minute on Tuesday night.
The Baggies are yet to say how serious the injury might be.
Jeremy Sarmiento and Carlos Corberan were talking to BBC Radio WM's Steve Hermon