James Murray

Tue 3 October 2023 22:15, UK

The West Brom players put in a decent performance as they secured a narrow victory over Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday (3 October).

John Swift handed the Baggies a first-half lead following a lovely finish that was enough to earn his side a 1-0 win over the Owls at the Hawthorns.

Albion dominated the possession throughout the evening in a game where there weren’t too many chances on offer for either of the two sides.

Here, West Brom News rates the players for their performances against the Owls.

Alex Palmer – 7

Palmer didn’t really have too much to do on the night. He made a stunning save to deny Tyreeq Bakinson on 22 minutes to keep his side in the lead after the midfielder had unleashed an effort from long range. The keeper had a shaky moment towards the end of the game when he misjudged the flight of a ball forward, but it didn’t prove to be costly as no Sheffield Wednesday forward was on hand to capitalise.

Cedric Kipre – 7

The defender was part of a pretty solid defensive effort from the Baggies on the night. He was perhaps lucky to get away with one in the first half when Ashley Fletcher ran in behind and played a dangerous ball across the six-yard box that no one could get on the end of. Kipre was solid other than that, though.

Kyle Bartley – 7

Bartley was excellent in the air throughout the evening against an Owls side that sent a lot of long balls forward to the strikers. He led the back line well to prove why Carlos Corberan has handed him opportunities to prove his worth lately.

Erik Pieters – 6

Playing on the left-hand side of the back three, Pieters was tasked with providing a bit more of an attacking outlet down the left. He made one mistake towards the end of the first half when he made a poor headed clearance that found a Sheffield Wednesday forward in the box, but he couldn’t find the back of the net with his shot. The defender had a half-chance in the second half, but he couldn’t guide his header on target.

Darnell Furlong – 6

The right-wing back did his job pretty well without being spectacular. He tucked in alongside Kipre whenever he was called upon and was a constant outlet providing width down the right.

Jed Wallace – 7

Wallace was bright throughout the game and looked dangerous whenever he picked up the ball. The captain played a nice pass into Swift for the Baggies’ goal, allowing his teammate to strike his effort home with his first touch. The winger constantly looked to pick pockets in the forward areas and, as ever, he did plenty of running for his side.

Okay Yokuslu – 5

Yoskuslu was by no means poor, but he only won two of the seven duels he was involved in during the game and lost the ball eight times, which is unlike the midfielder [SofaScore]. He had a chance to score in the first half, but his effort was well blocked away by the Owls’ keeper.

Alex Mowatt – 7

The midfielder was excellent in the middle of the park and proved why he is starting to nail down a place in the lineup. He looked to keep the ball moving at every opportunity and did the dirty work well when called upon. Mowatt had more than 100 touches and a pass success rate of 92 per cent, while also winning six of his seven duels.

Matt Phillips (Off for Townsend ’68) – 6

Phillips did his usual job down the left, providing an outlet for Swift to cut inside and he also did his work well defensively. His delivery could’ve been better at times, but he worked hard and did what was required of him.

Brandon Thomas-Asante – 6

It was another tireless performance from Thomas-Asante as he did all the running up top. He wasn’t much of a goal threat, but he held the ball up well at times and did his job. He had one opportunity when a ball came loose in the box in the second half, but he didn’t quite react quickly enough to tap it home.

John Swift (Off for Chalobah ’90+3) – 8

The midfielder proved once again why he is so important to this West Brom side. He took his goal superbly and looked a constant threat whenever he picked up the ball. Swift was so dangerous coming off the flank and he almost grabbed another goal from long range, with his effort just going over the bar. An excellent night for him.

Subs

Conor Townsend (On for Phillips ’68) – 5

Didn’t really have much of an impact, but he did the job that was required of him down the left.

Grady Diangana (On for Thomas-Asante ’86) – N/A

Nathaniel Chalobah (On for John Swift ’90+3) – N/A

In other West Brom news, Corberan has explained a “crazy” decision he made against Preston.