Mixed West Brom international fortunes with match-winning assist, full debut and red card

The summer signing from Celtic laid on the game's only goal for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson as Ireland, managed by Heimir Hallgrimsson, condemned visitors Finland to relegation from Nations League B Group 2.

Johnston caught the eye throughout and his assist was a fine piece of skill with a couple of stepovers to bamboozle the Finnish full-back before a pinpoint cross to the back post was powered home by towering striker Ferguson.

The winger's assist and overall display will please club boss Carlos Corberan, who saw Johnston deliver his most effective display as a permanent Baggies player on the eve of the break as Albion snapped a winless run with a victory at Hull, where Johnston was heavily involved in both goals.

Ireland also had Liverpool goalkeeper Caiomhin Kelleher to thank for a late penalty save from Joel Pohjanpalo.

Baggies midfielder Jayson Molumby played the final 15 minutes as the hosts saw out an important victory at the Aviva Stadium.

Johnston and Molumby are pushing to be involved from the off in Sunday afternoon's final group clash against England at Wembley (5pm). With a third-placed finish in the group, Ireland will enter a play-off next year.

Elsewhere, in-form Albion defender Torbjorn Heggem made his full debut for Norway and helped claim a 4-1 win in Slovenia in his second cap.

Heggem, starting at centre-back in a back four as has been the case in recent weeks at Albion, was booked in Ljubljana as he conceded a 20th-minute penalty allowing Benjamin Sesko to equalise Antonio Nusa's early opener.

But the Norwegians had Erling Haaland on target as they cantered to an easy win to put themselves in pole position for second place in their group ahead of a home clash against rock-bottom Kazakhstan on Sunday.

Heggem has been in inspired form since his switch to The Hawthorns from Swedish football in the summer and only made his international debut as a substitute this season.

Fortunes were not as bright for fellow Albion defender Mason Holgate, who was sent off late on during Jamaica's 1-0 Concacaf Nations League first leg defeat against the United States.

Ricardo Pepi's fifth-minute goal earned the visitors victory in Kingston but Baggies loan man Holgate's third cap ended in disappointment after two late yellow cards in the 76th and 86th minute. Holgate was also unable to convert an inviting first half opportunity after a Demarai Gray penalty had been saved by Matt Ryan.

Holgate will miss the second leg in Missouri in the early hours of Tuesday morning through suspension. Boss Corberan said before the international break he will "pray" neither of his defenders return from international duty injured given a raft of absentees in the Albion backline.

The dismissal should mean the Everton stopper, at Albion this season for a second spell, should return fit to be involved against Norwich when Championship action returns next Saturday.