West Brom maintained their push for an automatic promotion place with their fourth straight victory at the expense of struggling Barnsley at The Hawthorns.

The third-placed Baggies stayed within three points of Black Country rivals Wolves thanks to goals from Jordao, Daniele Dichio and Trevor Benjamin.

Sunderland defender Stanislav Varga, who has joined on loan until the end of the season, was handed his full debut for West Brom in place of the suspended Larus Sigurdsson.

New signing Kevin Betsy went straight into the Barnsley squad after signing from Fulham earlier this week but there was no place for on-loan Sunderland striker Michael Reddy.

Both sides struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages and the first goal attempt did not come until the 11th minute when Neil Clement fouled Betsy just outside the penalty area but Darren Barnard fired the resulting free-kick over the crossbar.

Barnsley managed the first attempt on goal in the 23rd minute but Dave Mulligan's long-range effort was easily saved by Russell Hoult.

The opening goal summed up the scrappy nature of the game as Barnsley failed to clear Igor Balis' corner from the right and Portuguese midfielder Jordao stuck his leg out to steer the ball past Andy Marriott.

It was Jordao's sixth goal of the season and his third this week following his brace in the 4-1 win against Crewe in midweek.

On-loan Leicester striker Benjamin was brought on at half-time to make his West Brom debut in place of Adam Chambers and he almost made the perfect start when he shot wide just 37 seconds into the second half.

The home side began to take control and Dichio shot over before Darren Moore had a far-post header saved by Marriott following Derek McInnes' corner.

The Baggies doubled their advantage on the hour when Dichio tried his luck from 20 yards and Marriott was left stranded after the ball took a wicked deflection off Mike Flynn.

Benjamin marked his debut with the third goal five minutes later when he showed great control to bring down Moore's long ball before volleying the ball past Marriott for only his second goal of the season.

Richard Naylor almost grabbed a consolation for Barnsley when his shot was tipped round the post by Hoult but the Tykes did pull one back in the 72nd minute.

Varga was adjudged to have brought down Naylor in the area and Barnard coolly slotted home the penalty for his eighth goal of the season but the Tykes never threatened to steal the points.

Teams

West Brom: Hoult, Varga, Moore, Gilchrist (Lyttle 63), Balis, Adam Chambers (Benjamin 45), McInnes, Jordao, Clement, Dobie (Fox 75), Dichio.

Subs Not Used: Petterson, Taylor.

Goals: Jordao 32, Dichio 59, Benjamin 65.

Barnsley: Marriott, Mulligan (Crooks 52), Flynn, Chettle, Barker, Betsy, Jones (Gorre 64), Neil, Barnard, Dyer, Naylor (Sheron 75).

Subs Not Used: Miller, Bertos.

Goals: Barnard 72 pen.

Att: 23,167

Ref: S Mathieson (Stockport).