Super Eagles striker Joshua Maja was in high spirits after scoring a brace in West Bromwich Albion’s 3-1 victory over Preston North End on New Year’s Day.
The 26-year-old forward, who had gone eight matches without finding the back of the net for the Baggies, marked the start of the new year with a double at The Hawthorns.
Maja’s performance helped his side reclaim a spot in the EFL Championship play-off places, with the striker being substituted in the 74th minute.
Reflecting on the win after the game, Maja shared his delight at contributing to the team’s success. “Yeah, it’s obviously a good win to start the year. We’ve put in some good performances and I think it’s about time that we got a well-deserved victory, so hopefully, it can continue,” Maja told post-game presser.
He added, “I didn’t realize until after the game that I hadn’t scored in eight games. It’s not something I was worried about. I know what I’m good at, I know what I bring to the team, and even when I wasn’t scoring, I was putting in good performances. To be back on the scoresheet is something I’m very happy with, and hopefully, it can continue.”
Maja’s contribution was also lauded by his teammate Callum Styles, who netted his first goal for West Brom in the same match. The Hungarian full-back praised Maja’s consistency and goal-scoring ability.
“Dynamite the boy is. He could have had a hat trick today. In the first half, we were firing on all cylinders and he’s there to score, and he’s been scoring. I swear everything he touches in training goes into the back of the net. He’s there to help us win games, and he’s committed to helping the team, and long may that continue,”
With the victory, West Brom now sits 6th on the EFL Championship table, just 13 points behind league leaders Leeds United. Maja is also second in the league’s top scorer charts, with 12 goals—three behind Norwich City’s Borja Sainz.
