The scorers combine as Mikey Johnston locates Grady Diangana with a free-kick which is almost level with the penalty area on the right.

The recipient can't produce an accurate header from a difficult angle, and West Brom then win a corner which they can't fully profit from. This has been a good start to the half for them.

Image source, Rex Features

Kasey Palmer hasn't been shy to shoot from range tonight, perhaps demonstrating the frustrations Coventry have faced when they try to make inroads into the penalty area.

His shot on the turn from well outside the box clears the crossbar comfortably. No prizes for guessing how the home fans react.

Coventry have a spell of possession inside opposition territory, only to cough it up with a loose Ellis Simms pass.

Jed Wallace sprints into a promising position and is challenged by Luis Binks. The home fans want a foul but it's deemed a decent tackle.

"Albion, Albion," comes the chant. Simple but resounding.

West Brom accompany the singing by stringing passes together on the fringe of the Coventry City box, looking for openings.

Kasey Palmer looks to have won possession after the Baggies go backwards but ends up being booked for a late tackle on Okay Yokuslu inside the centre circle.

Jed Wallace holds the ball up in a dangerous position on the left before feeding Mikey Johnston inside.

The man of the first half goes for the spectacular, blasting a shot over.

Coventry City have won four of their last six away league matches, losing only once.

Their attempt to build upon that record will take place with Haji Wright among their ranks, on in place of Callum O'Hare at the interval. And they restart the action - but launch the ball straight out of play, to the evident disgruntlement of Mark Robins.

Image source, Rex Features

iiSteveJonesii: Wilson has faced two shots and not attempted to save either - he needs dropping ASAP. He just stood stationary for both, arms by his side and watched them go in. We're playing too safe in possession - sideways and backwards with no penetration, no progressive runs. The centre-backs need to try to run into midfield and it's just not happening.

Tony 'Bomber' Brown
West Brom's all-time leading goalscorer on BBC Radio WM

It was a great start for Albion. The goal from Mikey Johnston was an absolute worldie. Fans love to see that - that early goal makes all the difference.

Coventry have stayed five at the back, trying to get that second goal. They need to change in the second half.

Image source, PA Media

West Brom may be under new ownership this week but the promotion challengers won't be seeing a fresh look in their management.

New owner Shilen Patel gave a glowing report on current manager Carlos Corberan, telling the club's official media channel that the Spaniard has "made an impression" on him.

"You can tell Corberan has a great sense of detail; his intensity is apparent," Patel said.

“The work he has done, the results he has achieved since he’s been here speak for themselves.

“Really excited and very happy he’s our manager. For me, he has a perfect mindset."

This will be reassuring news to Corberan, who would have seen a change of ownership at fellow West Midlands club Birmingham City remove John Eustace to appoint Wayne Rooney earlier in the season - despite being in a play-off spot at the time.

“I really appreciate any kind of positive word from anyone inside the club," Corberan told Radio WM.

“From my first day until my last day at the club, I am going to be at my best because that’s what this club deserves and what this club demands too.

“My level of commitment with my work, with the fans, with the club is the maximum I can have.”

Image source, Getty Images

Bliss for Baggies fans at the break!

Mikey Johnston's cracker after six minutes was a Friday night treat for the home fans and Grady Diangana's deadly finish means they're looking comfortable, having scored with both of their attempts.

Coventry have had eight efforts on goal with nothing to show for it. They've struggled with their opponents' press and their switch to a back five hasn't made them as resolute as Mark Robins would have wanted.

Changes coming for the Sky Blues?

There will be two added minutes.

Conor Townsend ends a West Brom attack by rolling a pass straight behind.

Coventry's first-half attacking threat summed up here, albeit with a shot more wild than the majority of their attempts.

Ellis Simms lofts a shot high into the stand behind Alex Palmer's goal.

There's an abundance of space from which Mikey Johnston curls a cross towards the penalty spot.

Luis Binks hacks the delivery clear. It's been a while since Coventry mounted an attack.

Mikey Johnston runs at the Coventry backline again. No joy this time, but he's looked a nightmare to mark during the first 40 minutes.

Ged Scott
BBC Sport at The Hawthorns

It is a thin divide between success and failure - as shown by the standard of shooting on offer so far tonight.

Albion went ahead with a fabulous right-footed curling strike from Mikey Johnston. Yet Cov then had two pretty good right-footed stabs themselves.

First from Josh Eccles, which somehow curled just too much and bent agonisingly wide - and then from Kasey Palmer, which shaved the other upright and had subdued the noisy Baggies fans a bit.

But then, just like that, one close-range chance, Grady Diangana took it - and now, at 2-0, it looks a real uphill task.

Cov have not even so much as scored a goal here at The Hawthorns in their last three visits. Now they need at least three.

Steve Ogrizovic
Ex-Coventry City goalkeeper on BBC CWR

It's come a little bit against the run of play. Coventry felt comfortable and it's the first foray across the right for West Brom.

It was static defending. Somebody should be in there, somebody should be close, somebody should be stopping that ball going in. Sometimes you think safety in numbers, but this is the opposite.

West Brom waste a corner. Luis Binks then receives a talking to for a late lunge on Grady Diangana.

Tony 'Bomber' Brown
West Brom's all-time leading goalscorer on BBC Radio WM

Albion have given it away again in a dangerous area. They're living a little bit dangerously, allowing Coventry these strikes from the edge of the box.

The next goal is going to be very important in this game. If Albion score, it will force Coventry to have to do something different in this game.

Image source, Rex Features

Kasey Palmer goes closer from long range!

Ellis Simms shows neat footwork on the right. West Brom look to have dealt with the danger, but the ball falls kindly for Palmer in a central position, who curls a fierce effort narrowly wide.

Coventry continue to threaten.