Delight For Hero Austin

Super-sub hits two for Baggies off the bench to stun Blues

- John Wragg

WEST Brom fans sang “Austin is bostin” as Albion’s super-sub came off the bench again to win the West Midlands derby.

Baggies boss Slaven Bilic labeled Austin “class” as his two late goals took a shock win off Birmingham City.

Austin, a £4m buy from Southampton in the summer, has claimed six goals in his last five games, five of them coming off the bench.

The Baggies twice had to fight back against Blues from a goal down at St Andrews.

Austin had been on the pitch for four minutes as a 69th-minute sub when he turned and smashed in a superb goal to make it 2-2.

Then, nine minutes from the end, Austin headed in the winner from Nathan Ferguson’s run and cross.

“The first goal was pure class,” raved Bilic.

“His second was from good movement when Austin got rid of the defender. Class again.”

The money spent on Austin is well invested in this promotion push. West Brom are unbeaten in 12 games, their best run of form for nine years.

It’s keeping the pressure on Leeds as the Baggies joust with them at the top of the table.