3/10 shocker in defence – West Brom player ratings v Middlesbrough
West Brom finally scored a goal but they were still on the wrong side of the result as they were beaten 2-1 by Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
Jayson Molumby ended a 517-minute wait for a Championship goal by striking past Joe Lumley with a deflected effort on 28 minutes.
Paddy McNair levelled for the hosts just before the hour before Marcus Tavernier tapped them in front ten minutes later to deny West Brom their first win in five.
Here is how we rated the Baggies players out of 10 against Middlesbrough tonight.
Sam Johnstone – 6
Didn’t have too many saves to make and despite a nervy moment in the first half, was very composed between the sticks. Couldn’t do much about McNair leveller.
Dara O’Shea – 4
In his first game back from injury, O’Shea was he was caught ball-watching for the equaliser as Tavernier got in behind and then again to leave him unmarked for the second goal at the back post.
Kyle Bartley – 5
He didn’t do too much wrong either but he did unnecessarily cause a kerfuffle with Aaron Connolly after an innocuous coming together, nearly getting himself a booking.
Semi Ajayi – 6
We saw very little of Ajayi today which no one will complain about, everything he was asked, he answered. Albion’s best defender.
Conor Townsend – 3
A pretty woeful display in defence from Townsend who couldn’t handle Isaiah Jones all day. He should have been sent off after seven minutes but he was fortunate the referee couldn’t see it.
Alex Mowatt – 6
An uneventful day for Mowatt in the middle, he and Molumby looked comfortable enough with the wide areas targeted by Chris Wilder’s side.
Jayson Molumby – 7
He scored his first goal for the club and the first anyone has bagged in five games which automatically boosts his score even if he was quiet for the rest of the game.
Grady Diangana – 7
Very direct running at the full-back and the Baggies’ most dangerous-looking attacker when on the ball. Went unrewarded for his efforts.
Adam Reach – 5
It was lacklustre from Reach in the number 10 role as he often saw Boro players beat him to second balls. He needs to sharpen up to keep his place in Bruce’s team.
Karlan Grant – 5
It was all a bit too predictable from Grant today. Anfernee Dijksteel knew exactly what he wanted to do every time and dealt with him easily. He isn’t a winger.
Andy Carroll – 8
Once again, Carroll showed why he is the best target man in world football. Everything that came his way stuck and he terrorised the defenders with his power. A truly excellent display.
Substitutes:
Callum Robinson (on for Reach 76′) – 6
Tried to impact the game but West Brom went direct when he came on, nullifying his effect in the final third.
Rayhaan Tulloch (on for Diangana 80′) – 6
Similarly to Robinson, he buzzed around trying to get involved but couldn’t get on the ball enough to have a proper impact.
Darnell Furlong (on for Townsend 81′) – 5
Unnecessarily got himself booked when Jones kicked the ball away, only came on for his long throws which didn’t trouble Boro.
In other West Brom news, Joseph Masi slammed the Baggies team after their defeat to Luton insisting they aren’t fit to wear the shirt.