West Brom 1 Blackburn Rovers 1 - Player ratings

Sam Johnstone

Made four saves in total, and while they were ones you’d expect him to make, he held most of them. Not much he could have done about the goal, although he does seem to be a better reflex keeper than one at dealing with long-range shots. Distribution was fine. 6/10

Tosin Adarabioyo

Was far too casual in possession in the first half and played his teammates into trouble, but grew into the game as it wore on and improved after the break. Made several important tackles and won a number of headers. Will improve with more minutes under his belt. 6/10

Craig Dawson

Much better from Dawson, who was played centrally from the get-go. Scored the goal, but his countless headed clearances at the back were just as important. Marshalled dangerman Bradley Dack well for most of the game, apart from the one time he was rolled in the first half. 7/10

Kyle Bartley

The system doesn’t seem to suit him, and while he does deserve sympathy for that, he’s also making far too many basic errors. Once again, his inability to clear his lines led to a goal, and he took his anger out on his team-mates when things went wrong. He's suspended for next weekend after picking up his fifth yellow card. There's no guarantee he will return afterwards. 4/10

Matt Phillips

Seemed to drift inside off the wing more than usual, which made it more difficult for his team-mates to find him, but it’s good to have him back on the right. Not only does he strike fear into the opposition, but his set-pieces were spot on, and Albion scored from his corner. 6/10

James Morrison

Tidy in possession and snapped at heels too. Struck up a complementary partnership with Jake Livermore that should give Darren Moore food for thought going forward. Give him the ball under pressure and he rarely loses it. Staked a claim for a place, and looks fitter too. 7/10

Jake Livermore

Added some much-needed steel in central midfield after the flimsy performance against Derby. Had one of the best pass completion rates in the side, and seemed to gel with Morrison. Struggled to break down the 10 men with the rest of the side. 6/10

Conor Townsend

Started brightly and performed admirably up and down the left flank. A vast improvement from his previous performance at Blues and always looked forward with the ball down the line to Sako or Rodrigeuz. Crosses were dangerous and the only blip was when he dallied on the ball in the box with a chance to shoot. 7/10

Harvey Barnes

Got in behind early on and won a free-kick when he dribbled through the eye of a needle in the first half, but he couldn’t quite get the counter-attacks to work for him in the second half. Still slightly surprising to see him substituted off though. 6/10

Jay Rodriguez

Missed a glorious chance in the first half, although he created it himself through his own endeavour. That’s what Rodriguez gives you in every game, hard work. Also played in Bakary Sako twice. And immediately apologised after accidentally catching David Raya accidentally. 6/10

Bakary Sako

A promising hour from the debutant with flashes of his potential, but he lacked match sharpness and held on to the ball too long. Wasted two good chances set up by Rodriguez, although he repaid the favour with a dangerous whipped cross and with more minutes under his belt, he looks like he’ll be a threat. 5/10

Substitutes

Wes Hoolahan (Sako 61)

Lost the ball too regularly. Not his usual reliable self, although he did play Townsend in. 5/10

Chris Brunt (Barnes 77) 5/10

Brought on to pick the right pass from deep, but Albion couldn't break down the 10 men. 5/10

Hal Robson-Kanu (Bartley 87)

Nearly won it with a header that was cleared off the line. N/A

Unused: Myhill, Mears, Field, Burke