West Brom boss Alan Pardew believes market rumours have helped his strikers from their goalscoring form.

Jay Rodriguez scored two goals in that win to take his tally for the season to eight goals.

He has five in his last six games and Pardew thinks he's reacted to rumours of an incoming striker.

"He'll stop reacting if someone doesn't come in in my opinion," said Pardew. "When I played central midfield, if the club brought a central midfielder that was me, I'm going to war in training, I'm not having that, he's not taking my place. So of course there is a bit of that with Jay.

"Salomon (Rondon) is playing the best football of his career I think. I left him out for Man City. So we have two strikers bang in form which is really good news for us because that's what we've been hoping for."