It was the kind of result that leaves fans breathless — and bitter. West Bromwich Albion fought valiantly at The Hawthorns on Friday, September 26, 2025, only to see their three-point haul snatched away in the 93rd minute by a cruel, self-inflicted wound. Leicester City escaped with a 1-1 draw after defender Nathaniel Phillips accidentally turned Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s cross into his own net, completing a late, heart-stopping rescue mission. The final whistle blew to a mix of stunned silence and furious chants, as 24,235 spectators watched a match that encapsulated everything frustrating — and thrilling — about the EFL Championship.
Early Brilliance, Late Heartbreak
The night began with promise for the home side. Just ten minutes in, 21-year-old Samuel Iling-Junior, making his first full start for West Bromwich Albion, produced a moment of pure magic. Cutting in from the left flank, he danced past two defenders with a series of sharp cuts, then fired a low, curling shot past Leicester’s keeper. The crowd erupted. It was his first goal in senior football — and it felt like the start of something big. For the next 80 minutes, West Bromwich Albion looked like the team destined to win. They pressed high, chased every ball, and created chances. Josh Maja, the 26-year-old striker, had three clear opportunities — a header over the bar, a one-on-one saved by Danny Ward, and a close-range tap-in blocked on the line. He looked frustrated. So did the fans. They had it in their hands. But they didn’t close it out.Leicester’s Pattern: Survive, Then Strike
Leicester City, by contrast, looked listless for long stretches. They had 59.2% possession — more than enough to dominate — but only one shot on target. Nine of their 13 attempts missed the target entirely. Their build-up was slow, their final third play sloppy. They were lucky to be level at halftime. But here’s the thing about Leicester City this season: they don’t win pretty. They win by refusing to die. This was their third draw in six matches where they’ve equalized in the final 10 minutes. The YouTube highlights summed it up perfectly: “Not a win this time, but it will feel like one because of the way they rescued it late on.” That’s become their identity. A team that plays poorly for 85 minutes, then somehow finds a way.Statistical Oddities and Missed Chances
The numbers tell a strange story. West Bromwich Albion had 11 total shots — five on target. That’s efficient. Leicester had 13 shots — but just one on target. That’s wasteful. And yet, it was the less efficient team that got the point. Possession? Leicester dominated. But dominance doesn’t always mean control. West Brom’s counter-attacking shape, led by Iling-Junior and midfield enforcer Aune Heggebø, disrupted Leicester’s rhythm. The visitors struggled to find space between the lines. When they did, they rushed their passes. The real difference? West Bromwich Albion had two clear goal-scoring chances in the 65th and 78th minutes that were either mishit or poorly finished. That’s what cost them.A Pattern of Near-Misses
This draw extended West Bromwich Albion’s winless run to three matches — their last victory was a 2-1 comeback over Preston North End on October 18. Before that? A 3-0 thrashing at Millwall. They’ve been close — too close — in every game. Against Middlesbrough, they lost 2-1 after leading. Against Watford, they conceded a last-minute winner. Now, this. It’s not a crisis. Not yet. But it’s a pattern. And patterns become habits. Their next match, a 2-1 win over Oxford United, came only after an own goal from Greg Leigh and a late substitute winner from Heggebø. They’re winning on grit, not grace.
What’s Next? The Revenge Tour Begins
The next chapter arrives on November 1, 2025, at King Power Stadium. Leicester will be brimming with confidence after this escape. West Brom, meanwhile, will be seething. The return fixture on January 5, 2026, could be pivotal in the playoff race. And don’t forget the youth clash. On November 29, the U18 teams meet at LCFC Training Ground. That’s where the future of both clubs is being forged — and where the next Iling-Junior might be waiting.Why This Matters
This isn’t just about two teams fighting for promotion. It’s about identity. West Bromwich Albion wants to be the team that dominates, controls, and wins cleanly. Leicester City has become the team that survives, scrapes, and wins by accident. One wants to be the artist. The other is happy being the scavenger. In the Championship, sometimes the scavenger wins more games.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Samuel Iling-Junior’s goal impact West Brom’s season so far?
Iling-Junior’s 10th-minute strike was his first senior goal and gave West Bromwich Albion their first lead in a league match since August. It sparked hope that the 21-year-old could be the breakthrough talent they’ve been missing. But his goal was the only one of the match — and West Brom failed to capitalize on other chances, raising questions about finishing under pressure. He’s now the youngest scorer for the club this season.
Why did Leicester City’s possession stats not translate to more shots on target?
Leicester’s midfield, led by 30-year-old James Justin, struggled to break West Brom’s compact 4-5-1 shape. They passed sideways and backward too often, avoiding the central channels where Josh Maja and Aune Heggebø were strongest. Their final third play lacked urgency, and only one of 13 shots hit the target — the lowest in their last five Championship games.
What does this result mean for West Brom’s promotion chances?
The draw leaves West Bromwich Albion in 11th place, six points off the playoff zone. With three draws and two losses in their last five games, they’re losing ground to teams like Luton Town and Barnsley. To stay in contention, they need to convert chances — and stop letting late goals slip away. Their next three matches are against mid-table sides, so this is a critical juncture.
Is Nathaniel Phillips’ own goal a sign of defensive fragility for Leicester?
It’s less about Phillips and more about Leicester’s overall defensive shape. The own goal came from a low, driven cross into a crowded six-yard box — a situation they’ve conceded from before. Phillips was under pressure from De Cordova-Reid and had little time to react. Still, it’s the third own goal Leicester has conceded this season — the most in the Championship. Coach Enzo Maresca is now reviewing set-piece and transition defensive drills.
Why is The Hawthorns such a difficult venue for Leicester?
Historically, Leicester have won just twice in their last 12 visits to The Hawthorns, dating back to 2016. The crowd noise, the narrow pitch, and West Brom’s physical style make it a tough place to play. Even when Leicester dominate possession, they struggle to break down the home side’s organized defense. The 2023 playoff semi-final — where Leicester won 2-1 on their way to promotion — remains one of their rare successes here.
When is the next match between these two teams?
The next meeting is on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at King Power Stadium in Leicester, kicking off at 12:30 GMT. That’s a crucial fixture for both sides — West Brom will be desperate for revenge, while Leicester will look to extend their unbeaten run. The return leg follows on January 5, 2026, at 20:00 GMT, with the U18s clashing on November 29 at the LCFC Training Ground.