WATCH: Emotional Daryl Dike nets first goal since injury return in feel-good moment for West Brom and USMNT striker
- Dike scored first goal since January 2024
- Leads West Brom to victory
- Striker has dealt with multiple injuries since moving to England
WHAT HAPPENED?
U.S. international Daryl Dike scored his first goal in nearly a year and a half, helping lead West Brom to a 5-3 win over Luton Town on the final day of the Championship season. Dike netted in the 30th minute to give the Baggies the lead and was visibly overcome with emotion as he celebrated his long-awaited finish.
Since moving to West Brom in 2022, Dike has been constantly plagued by injuries. The former Orlando City star suffered a hamstring injury in his debut season and then ruptured his Achilles in April 2023, ruling him out for nine months. After returning from that, he ruptured his other Achilles tendon in February 2024, causing him to miss another nine months.
West Brom have been patient with the striker, who was named to the starting XI for the first time on Saturday. It was his 11th appearance of the season, and a goal that will no doubt be a meaningful one as Dike heads into the summer and, ultimately, the 2025-26 season.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Dike went on to provide an assist in the second half, too, but, even with the win, it wasn’t quite enough for the Baggies to make the playoffs as they finished ninth in England’s second division. Dike’s goal will give the club reason for optimism, though, as everyone will hope that West Brom can finally see the best of Dike next season.
Despite the injuries, Dike has shined in the Championship when he has been healthy. He scored nine goals in 19 appearnaces on loan at Barnsley in 2021 and netted seven goals in 23 games for West Brom before going down with his injury during the 2022-23 season.
WHAT NEXT FOR DIKE?
West Brom’s season is now over, with the club missing out on a playoff spot by four points. Sheffield United, Sunderland, Coventry and Bristil City will be the team duking it out for a chance to go up to the Premier League next season.
West Brom caretaker hails attackers and returning Daryl Dike on big final-day win
Albion interim James Morrison felt his attacking players responded to deliver in the final third in the final-day rout of Luton.
The Baggies relegated the Hatters, who have suffered back-to-back drops from the top flight to the third tier, with a 5-3 victory at The Hawthorns.
Striker Daryl Dike marked his first league start in 750 days with a goal as Tom Fellows and Callum Styles fired the first two-goal hauls of their careers.
The doomed visitors struck back twice in the closing stages to make the scoreline look closer but it was some rare joy for Albion in what has been a desperate finale to the Championship season, where Albion slumped out of play-off contention to finish ninth.
