West Brom player ratings v Preston North End: 9/10 MOTM Darnell Furlong the hero
West Brom secured their Championship playoff place in style on the final day of the regular season with a 3-0 win over Preston North End.
Darnell Furlong was involved in all three goals, creating the first two and scoring the third.
The right-back won a penalty at the end of the first half, which Alex Mowatt converted coolly, before sending a long throw which came off the head of Kyle Bartley and dropped over the line just after the hour mark.
Furlong sealed the result eight minutes later, side-footing home after left-back Conor Townsend had barrelled his way to the byline before cutting back.
West Brom News has rated every player’s performance out of 10 below:
Alex Palmer – 6
Enjoyed a very quiet afternoon between the sticks. He was forced into just one save from a shot with an xGOT (expected goals on target) value of only 0.14 [FotMob].
Decisive Darnell Furlong
Darnell Furlong – 9
The undoubted man of the match. He created the first two West Brom goals and scored the third. Chopped inside superbly after breaking into the box to win a penalty in the first half before his long throw allowed Bartley to score in the second. Sealed the win with a composed finish after good work from Townsend. His bombing forward runs from right-back were a dangerous weapon for the Baggies all afternoon.
Kyle Bartley – 8
Nodded a decent chance over the crossbar but was not to be denied, meeting Furlong’s long throw and seeing his header somewhat fortuitously drop over the line and in to double the Baggies’ advantage. Was also the more involved of the two defenders on the ball.
Cedric Kipre – 6
Came very close to lashing into the top corner when he was found unmarked in the area but fired just over. Had little defending to do otherwise but was capable when called upon.
Conor Townsend – 8
Like his opposite full-back, Furlong, Townsend offered a real wide threat with his positive positioning and overlapping runs and was well rewarded for his hard work and persistence with an assist for Furlong to score the third.
Okay Yokuslu – 7 (Off for Yann M’Vila 76′)
A solid display from the midfielder, who won all three of his aerial duels and both of his tackles to provide plenty of bite in the centre of the park.
Midfield general Alex Mowatt
Alex Mowatt – 8
Kept his cool from the spot to send Freddie Woodman the wrong way and put the Baggies ahead and settle the nerves. His calm, composed passing in the centre set the tone superbly for West Brom. A classy midfield performance.
Tom Fellows – 6 (Off for Jed Wallace 68′)
Linked up well with Furlong and fired a few dangerous crosses into the middle but was a little quiet overall before being substituted.
Grady Diangana – 7 (Off for Matt Phillips 85′)
Was particularly influential in the first half, showcasing his excellent technical ability to wriggle away from several challenges and evade pressure while keeping West Brom on the ball.
Mikey Johnston – 7 (Off for John Swift 76′)
Like Fellows, Johnston improved after the break and produced a dazzling piece of skill to wriggle through three challenges on the byline to set up Thomas-Asante, who denied him an assist by blazing over the bar.
Brandon Thomas-Asante – 6 (Off for Josh Maja 85′)
Made a nuisance of himself with sharp turns past his markers but struggled to produce in front of goal, firing wide from a promising position in the first half and blasting over from close range in the second.
Substitutes:
Jed Wallace – 6 (On for Tom Fellows 68′)
Was quiet after his introduction and was largely on the periphery of attacks.
Yann M’Vila – N/A (On for Okay Yokuslu 76′)
John Swift – N/A (On for Mikey Johnston 76′)
Matt Phillips – N/A (On for Grady Diangana 85′)
Josh Maja – N/A (On for Brandon Thomas-Asante 85′)
In other West Brom news, Albion have been sent a Sheffield Wednesday transfer warning by Don Goodman.
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