I was excited by what I saw as West Brom celebrated with the Deepdale away end

The away end scenes were joyous. They don’t come around all too often, especially for West Bromwich Albion this year, so when the opportunity to really milk it presents itself, then everyone concerned is fully entitled to. This was as good an away day as those 2,011 behind the goal would’ve experienced for quite some time – a complete performance, loads of goals and three points at the home of a club previously unbeaten.

Collectively, it was delightful. In our BirminghamLive player ratings, none of the XI who started here scored lower than an eight. Confidence levels were in full flow, as Carlos Corberan’s team selection paid off. There might’ve been raised eyebrows at 2pm, with the starting line-up devoid of a striker, but those doubts quickly subsided when Albion hit the ground running and made early in-roads.

Individually, there were some really impressive all-round displays. Alex Mowatt, again, reminded everyone how farcical it is that circumstances have meant he’s not started regularly for Albion for over a year. He followed up an excellent showing against Millwall with another here. For Grady Diangana, though, to knit together strong performances together – this was even better than his promising appearance last week – was particularly heartening.

At full time, the supporters celebrated with the players and staff on the pitch. Captain Jed Wallace led the serenades, followed quickly by opening goalscorer Darnell Furlong. The vast majority, if not the entirety, of the whole squad made their way towards the stand where the away fans were congregated to show their appreciation and enjoy the fruits of their efforts.

Diangana, tracksuited after being taken off, quickly made his way towards the front of the travelling army to take the applause and share a special moment with those who have backed him even when he’s not been fully firing which, in truth, has been a regular occurrence for some time.

At his best – he was truly superb at home to Hull last year and, coincidentally, at Deepdale too – Diangana’s style is as fun as a schoolkid with the ball at his feet on the playground during a lunch-break. He twisted and turned Liam Millar so often here that Preston manager Ryan Lowe had to make a change at half time.

To see Diangana, who at this moment has restored his role in the squad as one of an important player who can make key contributions on any given match-day when he’s in the mood – as he was here – in such high spirits and as part of a totally dominant and united performance as this one, doesn’t really bode well for Championship full-backs going forward.