Ben Wild

Wed 15 February 2023 22:09, UK

West Brom threw away three points right at the death as they had to settle for a draw against Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday (15 February).

Jayson Molumby provided the Albion goal in a tight affair at the Hawthorns, turning home a loose ball after an Okay Yokuslu header was saved.

Ben Brereton Diaz scored a free-kick with moments remaining as the points were shared.

The result takes Albion up to sixth in the Championship.

Here are our player ratings for the game.

Josh Griffiths – 4

You don’t want to criticise a young goalkeeper making his Championship debut but he really should have saved Brereton Diaz’s free kick. Other than that he looked ok but was rarely tested. Failed his big test when it came, disappointing.

Darnell Furlong – 7

His game can be personified in one first-half moment. After brilliantly taking down a long-range pass and driving forward, he gave a foul away while trying to beat his man. Should have done better with a first-half header that was sent straight at Pears in the Blackburn net.

Dara O’Shea – 7

Solid enough at the back though Blackburn gave both centre-backs very little to do. One very harsh criticism could be O’Shea’s passing but other than that, it’s hard to have any complaints. Another solid display from the captain.

Erik Pieters -8

Best of the Albion defence against Rovers. Safe, assured. solid, all words that are slowly becoming intrinsically linked with the centre-back.

Conor Townsend – 6

Didn’t have a lot to do, a lot like Pieters but dealt with what he needed to as West Brom kept another clean sheet. Left a bit to be desired going forward but his job wasn’t to attack Blackburn.

Nathaniel Chalobah – 9

Grew into the game and found real confidence in the first half, his driving runs from deep were unlucky not to be rewarded. Stunning period just before half time which provides great encouragement. Unfortunately withdrawn with an injury early in the second half, hopefully, it’s not too bad.

Okay Yokuslu – 8

Cool and composed as ever. Solid game from Okay if not spectacular. Played a big role in breaking up Blackburn’s attacks before they got anywhere near the Albion defence. His bread and butter but it’s still an important job.

Marc Albrighton – 5

Played on the left-hand side this week and struggled to get into the game, though the same could be said of all of Albion’s attackers in the first half. Booked and subbed just after the hour mark.

Jed Wallace – 6

Minimal impact in the first half as Albion struggled to get anywhere near the Blackburn net. This theme continued into the second period as the attacker struggled to impact the game in a meaningful way.

John Swift – 8

Arguably West Brom man of the match, everything went through him in the first half and he would have had an assist if Furlong aimed his first-half header anywhere other than straight at Pears.

Brandon Thomas-Asante – 7

Linked up well with Chalobah, could be the start of a blossoming partnership. Led the press well even if none of his teammates fancied getting involved.

Substitutes:

Jayson Molumby – 7

Brought on somewhat unexpectedly thanks to Chalobah’s injury. Showed great awareness to turn in a loose ball in the box to give Albion the lead. His second goal for the club. What an impact.

Grady Diangana – 8

Priovded more in his second-half outing than Albrighton did during his hour on the pitch. This is the Diangana we need to see more of. Driving runs and plenty of decent crosses. More of the same, please.

Daryl Dike – N/A

In other West Brom news, Albion pulled the plug on a late loan signing on deadline day.