IRISH international Shane Long will have impressed the new Irish management team of Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane after scoring twice in 11 minutes for West Brom last night as they drew 2-2 with Aston Villa.
The Tipperary native scored an impressive double early on in the game, but West Brom failed to use the opportunity to move ahead of Swansea into 10th place in the Premier League by leaking two goals to the away side in the second half.
Long’s first goal came in the third minute when he effortlessly controlled a long ball from Chris Brunt and struck the ball from 18 yards to hit the back of the net.
A poor error from Leandro Bacuna eight minutes later allowed Long to chip the ball over Brad Guzan and claim his second of the game, and third in two appearances for the club.
The striker broke a 10-game goal drought for West Brom with a goal against Chelsea two weeks ago, tying him with the likes of Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko for a three goal haul each so far this season.
Long’s teammate Stephane Sessegnon missed the chance to take his side into the lead, before Paul Lambert’s side responded with goals from Karim El Ahmadi and Ashley Westwood in the second half to equal the scores.
The Midlands sides remain level on points in the table, but West Brom are just ahead in 11th place on goal difference.
