West Brom moved back to the top of the Championship after a stunning 5-1 win over Swansea City at The Hawthorns this afternoon.

Slaven Bilic’s side, inspired by the classy Matheus Pereira, ran riot and now boast a ten-point cushion over third-placed Fulham as they seek a return to the top-flight.

Swansea came to the Midlands boasting the only unbeaten away record in the league and you could see why as they started well, looking to control the tempo as they played out from the back.

Despite the lack of goalmouth action in the early stages, it was an open game, with Grady Diangana and Kristoffer Peterson causing problems down the left flanks for their sides.

The two keepers were tested when Sam Johnstone had to push over a sharp Sam Surridge shot before Jake Livermore’s decent effort from outside the box was tipped over by Freddie Woodman.

However, Albion began to get a grip of the clash as the half progressed and former Swans man Kyle Bartley had the first huge opportunity when he somehow failed to score from close range following a superb Matt Phillips delivery.

That was a warning that the Welsh side didn’t heed. A Matheus Pereira corner went to the back post and was met by Bartley again, who headed across the six-yard box to his unmarked central defensive partner Semi Ajayi who nodded home.

The goal, which came in the 25th minute, really brought the game to life and Albion looked to go for the kill. And, they double their advantage with a marvellous team goal that showed Bilic’s side at their free-flowing best.

Unsurprisingly, Pereira was central to it, with a silky flick on the halfway line starting a quick break. Smart play from Livermore and Diangana set Kieran Gibbs down the left flank and his accurate pull back found Pereira in the box and he ruthlessly finished.

Despite the decent start from the Swans, you feared the worst for them at this stage but they managed to get a goal back shortly after conceding the second. A wicked Matt Grimes delivery was eventually stabbed home by Surridge, with Johnstone struggling with the high ball – as he had done throughout.

Unfortunately for Swansea, they couldn’t go into the break just a goal down though, with Pereira once again the man who made the difference.

A quick turnover in possession presented the on-loan Sporting Lisbon man with the ball and an exquisite pass set Hal Robson-Kanu running through. He still had a lot to do and a cool left-footed finish restored Albion’s two-goal lead.

The roles were reversed for the first meaningful chance in the second half, with Robson-Kanu’s delightful pass putting Pereira in behind the Swans defence but this time the Brazilian was unusually indecisive and his effort was eventually blocked.

Another good opportunity came Albion’s way shortly after as an intelligent free-kick from Matt Phillips set Pereira free but his pull-back was scrambled clear by Kyle Naughton with the help of his keeper.

To their credit, Swansea tried to keep playing but as they pushed forward they looked extremely vulnerable on the break and more Albion goals seemed inevitable – and that proved to be the case.

Swans skipper Grimes was dispossessed in his defensive third and in a matter of seconds West Brom had put the game to bed. The brilliant Pereira chipped an accurate ball to the back post to give Phillips the simple task of heading home.

Even though the game was won, there was no sign of Albion letting up and they punished Cooper’s side even further with a fifth goal. Once again it was a lightning transition and once again Pereira was at the heart of it.

He set Livermore down the right flank, who pulled back to the attacking midfielder and his touch went to substitute Kyle Edwards who slammed home just minutes after coming on for Diangana.

The exciting 21-year-old could have made it six when he beat Connor Roberts but his left-footed effort dragged wide. That was the end of the scoring though, with Albion playing out the rest of the game with ease.

This dominant display has put Bilic’s back on top and even in December it’s hard to see how this talented side won’t be playing Premier League football next season.