Diangana dominates in 10/10 masterclass – West Brom player ratings v Portsmouth
West Brom got back to winning ways in some style with a 5-1 demolition of Portsmouth at The Hawthorns on Saturday.
Portsmouth had the better of the early stages before Albion kicked into gear on 25 January, with Alex Mowatt slamming home from 25 yards to make it 1-0.
That lit the fuse, as Grady Diangana scored twice, with Jed Wallace and John Swift scoring to round off the scoring for the home side.
The Albion saw out a comfortable victory, despite Pompey pulling a goal back in the final seconds.
West Brom News rates the performance of each player out of 10.
Alex Palmer – 7
Forced into action within 30 seconds by Andre Dozzell’s half-volley from 20 yards, after which Albion established their cushion. Was beaten by Pompey’s long-ball chance, but Heggem was on hand to block and then made himself more work with a hospital pass to Price before conceding from close range at the death.
Darnell Furlong – 6
Active up and down the right edge as ever but wasn’t heavily involved in any of the goals, and was his usual solid self in defence – other than being caught out alongside Holgate by a long ball over the top.
Grady Diangana devastating for West Brom v Portsmouth
Mason Holgate – 6
Another panic-causing start for Holgate, but he had little to do after the first 20 minutes and picked out Diangana with a smashing long ball from deep, releasing the Baggies forward to make it 4-0 at the break. Caught out from a second-half long ball in a rare Pompey chance, but was bailed out by Heggem.
Torbjorn Heggem – 7
Covered well in defence to block and head several crosses away from danger, and spared Holgate’s blushes from a long ball in the second half, blocking Callum Lang’s shot behind for a corner with Palmer beaten.
Callum Styles – 7
Struggled to deal with Colby Bishop playing off his shoulder as balls went in behind, and was targeted by Portsmouth’s crosses as a result. Much better going forward, charging ahead and setting up a good chance for Diangana, before almost adding Albion’s sixth with two blocked shots late in the second half.
Tom Fellows – 8
Cut inside off the right flank at will looking to create chances, including one which Diangana flashed just wide, and almost had a goal himself from close range after an early second-half shot from Johnston was parried, before seeing his own effort blocked into Schmid’s gloves.
John Swift (off for Isaac Price, 61′) – 8
Starting deeper than usual, Swift still got forward and curled a 20-yard strike just wide from an Albion corner, picking out Fellows in the lead-up to the opener. Pulled the trigger with a blocked strike early in the second half, but was on hand to make it 5-0 minutes later and then applauded off on the hour mark.
Alex Mowatt (off for Ousmane Diakite, 45′) – 7
Had time and space to pick his spot in the bottom corner from 25 yards, venturing forward ahead of Swift and slamming home the opener, which squeezed past Nicholas Schmid. Mowatt continued to launch attacks from deep as Albion turned the screw before being withdrawn at the break
Mikey Johnston (off for Karlan Grant, 61′) – 9
Made some mazy, jinking runs to win corners and create chances, including when he burst into the box and fired a shot goalwards which Schmid spilled straight into Diangana’s path for 2-0. Almost had a goal himself with a shot which was eventually cleared after a scramble, but then set up Swift for Albion’s fifth.
Grady Diangana (off for Uros Racic, 66′) – 10
Teed up Mowatt to make it 1-0 and was soon in himself, sliding in to finish off Johnston’s saved shot and make it 2-0. Soon got his second assist of the game, winning the ball and setting up Wallace, and then a second goal, finishing clinically from Holgate’s superb long pass. Forced off with injury in the second half though, and that’ll be a worry based on this display.
Jed Wallace (off for Devante Cole, 61′) – 7
Named up front in place of Karlan Grant, but Wallace’s link-up play was superb and he added Albion’s third from right in front following a fast break instigated by Diangana. Looked to have gotten a slight nick on Swift’s strike as it headed for the top corner, and at 5-0 up, the captain came off after a job well done.
Substitutes:
Ousmane Diakite (on for Alex Mowatt, 45′) – 6 – On at the break with Albion 4-0 up and cruising, Diakite kept things ticking at the base of midfield, but couldn’t keep out Portsmouth’s consolation after sliding in on the line.
Devante Cole (on for Jed Wallace, 61′) – 5 – Almost played through on goal by Fellows, but couldn’t bring the ball under control and didn’t do much to suggest he can deputise for the injured Josh Maja.
Karlan Grant (on for Mikey Johnston, 61′) – 7 – Playing slightly to the left of Cole, Grant set up a good chance which Racic couldn’t take within 10 minutes of coming on. Fancied a goal himself, too, seeing one strike blocked and dragging another wide from the edge of the box.
Isaac Price (on for John Swift, 61′) – 6 – On for his Albion debut after signing from Standard Liege in midweek, Price nearly cost Palmer his clean sheet after losing a poor pass from his keeper which was fired wide by Pompey.
Uros Racic (on for Grady Diangana, 66′) – 6 – Straight into the action after replacing injured man-of-the-match Diangana, Racic had a chance to volley home Grant’s far-post cross but could only put it over the bar.
In other West Brom news, a Premier League striker whose move to The Hawthorns collapsed is now on his way to a rival Championship club.
For more West Brom news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.