Peter Lynch

Sun 23 April 2023 14:17, UK

West Brom sit ninth in the Championship table following their 2-1 home loss to Sunderland on Sunday (23 April).

The Baggies opened the scoring at The Hawthorns just before half-time through a John Swift penalty.

Dennis Cirkin then drew the visitors level with a fine header six minutes into the second half, before scoring his second of the game with a well-taken goal seven minutes from time.

Here West Brom News rates the players out of ten in a disappointing home loss for Carlos Corberan’s men.

Alex Palmer – 8/10 (Man of the Match)

Had a quiet first 20 minutes but showed superb concentration as he came rushing out to stop Amad Diallo expertly. This was followed by a stunning diving save to keep out a fine Jack Clarke effort, with a fine stop with his legs coming early in the second half. Kept the scoreline to just 2-1 with four saves and one successful run out [WhoScored].

Darnell Furlong – 6/10

Made a good block early on as he was forced into plenty of defending given the attacking threat of Jack Clarke on Sunderland’s left-hand side. Won seven of his nine duels, but will be disappointed to have conceded twice, with both goals coming down Sunderland’s left.

Semi Ajayi – 6/10

Stepped up to deal with the Sunderland attacking threat with a few firm challenges. His well-timed tackles and calm defending kept the away side at bay as they searched for a winner. Won three of his four ground duel and his only aerial duel.

Erik Pieters – 6/10

A quiet display from the veteran Albion centre-back, Pieters snuffed out plenty of Sunderland attacks in their early stages. Continued a strong partnership alongside Ajayi and finished with an 82% passing accuracy.

Conor Townsend – 7/10

Carried out his defensive duties well but was definitely much more involved going forward with five crosses, as he worked well with Karlan Grant ahead of him on the left. Saw a strong header kept out by Anthony Patterson just after the hour mark and saw another header somehow go wide when he should have put his team 2-1 up with 10 minutes to go.

Jayson Molumby – 7/10

Involved heavily in the early proceedings with some important tackles, successful passes and a few sighters on goal. Saved his team with a superb headed block from Joe Gelhardt’s fierce volley. Booked for a foul on the Sunderland youngster in one of his three tackles, more than any Baggies player.

Okay Yokuslu – 6/10

Chipped in with his usual tidy tackles and tried to keep possession ticking over, but could only muster a 70% passing accuracy. Joined his midfield partner in the book for a similarly bad challenge on the dangerous Gelhardt.

Jed Wallace – 4/10

Had some very quiet periods in the first half but came alive with a few crosses from the right. Didn’t do enough defensively to help Furlong as Cerkin scored a double, with the attacker losing possession 15 times.

John Swift – 6/10

Got into the box as much as possible, with his efforts in the final third culminating in the attacker winning a penalty, before brushing himself off to drive it down the middle to put his team ahead. Made a match-high four key passes.

Karlan Grant – 6/10

Drove at the Sunderland defence well with some fine footwork and tricky runs, but couldn’t direct his only real sight at goal at the half-hour mark. Put in a handful of dangerous crosses but couldn’t find a teammate with the majority of the deliveries, won two of his three duels.

Brandon Thomas-Asante – 6/10

Put in a tireless display in his solo role up front, with the attacker constantly closing down the Sunderland defence and goalkeeper Patterson. Held the ball up well to allow his teammates to get forward but frustratingly had no clear chances to get on the scoresheet, as well as having just 18 touches, fewer than any other starter.

Substitutes

Marc Albrighton (on for Grant, 83’) – N/A

Taylor Gardner-Hickman (on for Yokuslu, 85’) – N/A

Tom Rogic (On for Molumby, 90’) – N/A

Modou Faal (On for Swift, 90’) – N/A

Kyle Bartley (On for Pieters, 90’) – N/A

In other West Brom news, one pundit believes the Albion stand a “good chance” of reaching the Championship play-off spots at the end of the season despite the injury to Daryl Dike.