George Overhill

Sat 15 October 2022 16:53, UK

West Brom produced a massively improved display under interim boss Richard Beale as they recorded just their second win of the season at Reading.

A very encouraging start in the first game since Steve Bruce was sacked on Monday (10 October) saw quick passing and plenty of attacking intent, with the pressure eventually paying off when Matt Phillips came in off the right and put the Baggies ahead in the 25th-minute, in a half the visitors dominated.

With potential managerial candidate Sean Dyche in attendance in Berkshire things were more even and much scrappier after the half, until Taylor Gardner-Hickman produced a moment of magic to smash in a long-range second, and Alex Palmer came up huge to preserve a 2-0 win.

Here, West Brom News rates the Albion players out of 10 for the performances at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Alex Palmer – 9 – joint Man of the Match

Excellent. There when it mattered to produce some vital late saves after going 2-0 up. Barely involved aside from a wild miss-kick when far outside his area immediately after the half that caused a hearts-in-mouths moment. Then produced a series of increasingly spectacular saves as the Royals went for broke later in the game. As vital in holding onto the result as anyone else was in building it.

Dara O’Shea – 6

Pretty strong defensively but gave the ball away when playing out from defence at times. Appeared to have bafflingly conceded a penalty after the break, but the referee was pointing for a goal kick and a dive rather than the spot.

Martin Kelly – 7

Marshalled the back line well enough to prevent former Baggies man Andy Carroll from causing any real havoc. Things became a bit ragged in the second half but got a block or a head to everything that mattered. Wasn’t especially pretty as the game wore on but did what was needed.

Erik Pieters – 7

Committed in defence even if there wasn’t too much control at times. Closed down well further up the field, and showed his experience late on to help close out the result.

Matt Phillips – 8

Part of the strong offensive display early, and produced the key moment with a nice finish inside the near post after cutting into the box off the right flank. Harshly booked before the hour. Great commitment to drive forward and still be chasing back even late in the game.

Jake Livermore – (off for Molumby ’79) – 5

Tidy when things were going well but unable to impose his influence on the midfield as the game became scrappy. Massively overshadowed by his junior partner in the centre of the park.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman – 9 – joint Man of the Match

Stunning display with two key contributions. Registered an assist for Phillips’ strike when West Brom were in the ascendency in the first half, but appeared to be fading out of the game after the break. Put a stop to that in devastating fashion as he dispossessed Jeff Hendrick then drove forward and smashed his first for the club in from range. Would have been the clear star before Palmer’s late heroics.

Conor Townsend – 5

Did okay. Decent display and provided a willing outlet down the left but didn’t fully get into the game.

Jed Wallace – (off for Yokuslu ’79) – 7

One of the better West Brom players on the day even if he didn’t have the impact he sometimes does. Dangerous outlet down the right hand side as usual. Found Diangana with a nice ball in after the half that should have been a goal, with one of many good crosses. Surprisingly replaced.

Grady Diangana – (off for Cleary ’65) – 7

Nice interplay in the early stages with some lovely touches thereafter but couldn’t produce a telling contribution at the end. Should have put the Baggies 2-0 up early after the break but dithered with Wallace’s cut back and wasted the chance.

Brandon Thomas-Asante – (off for Grant ’65) – 6

Looked sharp early but faded from prominence later on. Worked himself an excellent opportunity after a quarter of an hour as he waltzed into the area, but scuffed his shot and was deflected wide.

SUBSTITUTES

Reyes Cleary – (on for Diangana ’65) – 6

A couple of nice touches and immediately showed attacking intent, but didn’t get too many chances.

Karlan Grant – (on for Thomas-Asante ’65) – 4

Easy to overlook the fact that he had come on at all.

Jayson Molumby – (on for Livermore ’79) – N/A

Okay Yokuslu – (on for Wallace ’79) – N/A

In other West Brom news, Dyche has been told that his route back to the Premier League is with the Baggies.