West Brom player ratings as Albion secure return back to the Premier League

Here is how we rated the players from our vantage point in The Hawthorns’ press box

The Baggies are back in the big time!

West Brom are back in the top flight after a nervy, tense, topsy turvy evening at The Hawthorns which involved them being held by Queens Park Rangers - only for Brentford to lose again at home to Barnsley.

Albion began the game well, with Filip Krovinovic testing Joe Lumley from distance, but once the game settled down the Hoops began to find a rhythm and looked comfortable in possession.

Indeed they opened the scoring when the ball was worked from the right to the left, and though Ryan Manning’s initial shot was blocked by a combination of Kyle Bartley and Jake Livermore, the left-back picked himself up and rattled in a low shot past Johnstone.

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Albion needed a reply, ideally before half time - and they got one. Patient, intricate build up play saw the ball eventually come into the feet of Callum Robinson, who slipped in Grady Diangana and he fired home beneath Lumley.

Albion came out all guns blazing in the second half, and took the lead after wonderful play from Diangana allowed him to tee up Robinson, who had a simple finish.

The Hoops have some talented players of their own, though, and the best of the lot - Ebere Eze - netted a fine equaliser after O’Shea was caught out.

It mattered not, though, as the Bees fell to the Tykes at Griffin Park.

Here is how we rated the players from our vantage point in The Hawthorns’ press box.

Johnstone 6

Kicking was on the money in the first half. Seemed to enjoy having Robinson’s pace to work with up top. Found the loanee with a number of long balls. Throwing out to the flanks was good, too, as he sought to get Albion going quickly.

Furlong 6

Recalled to face his former side. An outlet down the right hand side. One or two crosses might’ve been met by teammates, but QPR would escape. Stood off Manning for the opening goal, though.

Ajayi 6

Looked nervous in the early stages of the game, where he seemed to be caught in two minds with his passing. Eze and Osayi-Samuel kept him on his toes.

A little more composure in the second half.

Bartley 8

Back in the side ahead of Hegazi. Dished out a rollicking to Furlong and Pereira, when they were caught napping at a QPR corner that was quickly taken.

Won everything aerially. Justified his recall.

O’Shea 6

Not one to usually give anything less than his best, that wasn’t any different here in an unfamliar left-back role. Played a part in the build up to Diangana’s equaliser, but was caught under the ball as Eze rather brilliantly brought the visitors level.

Sawyers 5

Started the game in a much better vein than he did at any point against Huddersfield, picking passes and making the right decisions. The drinks break interrupted his flow, though, and passes began to go astray before the end of the half.

Livermore 6

You could hear the crunch of one excellently executed tackle from the press box. Could do little with Manning’s opener, having denied the left-back his first shot.

In a midfield three, this was more like Livermore, putting himself about and winning the ball high.

Krovinovic 6

Tested Lumley from range, as Albion found space in which to work early doors. Some neat touches in patient build-up play.

Was quieter in the second half. Should’ve scored but was denied by Lumley.

Diangana 7

His third goal since the restart calmed nerves. Before that, a heavy touch denied him an effort on goal early on.

Wonderful trickery, really Diangana-esque, to wriggle away from challenges before laying Albion’s second goal on a plate for Robinson.

Pereira 5

Was wayward with his set piece delivery and wild as far as his shooting went in a very uncharacteristic first half.

It didn’t get much better for the Brazilian in the second. Took too long in possession and wasn’t his incisive self. Subbed.

Robinson 8*

A first look at him in a centre forward role, and he was lively. His pace and quick feet are different to the skill-sets of Austin and Robson-Kanu. Some eye-catching combinations in the first half, including the assist.

Fine awareness to slot home Albion’s second, but then missed a sitter.

Subs

Austin (for Diangana 71)

Brunt (for Sawyers 71)

What a send off for the great man, an Albion legend without doubt.

Grosicki (for Pereira 81)

Townsend (for Furlong 81)

Phillips (for Livermore 90)

Subs not used: Bond, Hegazi, Robson-Kanu, Harper

QPR: Lumley; Kakay, Masterson, Barbet; Manning, Ball, Cameron (Ramkilde 57), Amos, Osayi-Samuel (Kane 78); Eze, Chair

Subs not used: Kelly, Clarke, Shodipo, Oteh, Bettache, Gubbinse

GOALS

Albion - Diangana 44, Robinson 49; QPR - Manning 34, Eze 60

The ref: Darren England