West Brom player ratings vs Coventry City as Albrighton delights ...

4 Feb 2023
West Brom vs Coventry

West Bromwich Albion are back to winning ways after their away day marathon led them to more home comforts against Coventry City on Friday night. Grady Diangana stabbed in the only goal of the game in the first half to claim some vengeance on the Sky Blues, who'd won by the same score-line in the reverse fixture just before Christmas.

News broke prior to kick off that Alex Palmer had suffered an injury in training, a significant blow indeed after his superb run in the side since replacing David Button in October - this was another chance for Button rediscover form. As it was too for debutant Marc Albrighton to make a positive impression early on, just days after arriving at the club.

It actually might've been 2-2 within a quarter of an hour in what was a rapid start with action at both ends. Albrighton made an immediate impact on the right with wicked deliveries - Daryl Dike should've scored early doors but nodded over from close range. At the other end, the dangerous Viktor Gyokeres wasn't far away from connecting with Jamie Allen's centre.

Sky Blues defender Callum Doyle should've converted at the back post when a flicked header from a visiting corner fell his way, but he mercifully got his feet in a muddle and Albion escaped - then immediately showed him how to finish when left unmarked. Darnell Furlong's long throw, via the pink towel, soared right into the goalmouth and when Coventry failed to clear their lines, Diangana was on hand to stab home.

With the lead, Albion really began to assert themselves and caused Coventry all sorts of problems, particularly from out wide. With Albrighton adding to their already very imposing arsenal, and with the visitors looking a little shakey, deliveries continued to pour in from both sides. Wallace, playing just off Dike, did hit a few cul-de-sacs as he got to grips with his newish role but as a collective Albion ran their socks off and pressed City at the back to within an inch of their lives.

Coventry did come into it more, certainly, in the second half, but not before Albion should have buried the game. A delightful, subtle pass around the corner from Okay Yokuslu found Dike, who bore down on goal and tried to lift the ball over the onrushing Ben Wilson, who saved with his shoulder. The Sky Blues enjoyed some pressure from then on.

Gus Hamer, the scourge of Albion in the reverse fixture, tested Button with a free kick which the Baggies stand-in stopper beat away. The glaring chance came through a rare Albion mistake, though - they'd looked so composed throughout as they fizzed the ball around and through the Coventry press, but John Swift's pass for Nathaniel Chalobah was just short and Allen nipped in to play in Gyokeres.

Your heart was in your mouth as the Swede, generally considered to be among the best forwards in the division and who is routinely linked with Premier League clubs, took aim. Thankfully, he fired well over the bar.

Albion's electric home form under Corberan continues and, at least for the night, they're back in the play-offs and up to fifth ahead of the weekend's fixtures.

West Brom player ratings

Button 8

Not a whole lot to do with his hands in the first half, but he came across as very assured with his feet and passing out from the back. Punched away a Hamer free kick. His claiming of the final corner was received by the fans like it was a goal. Huge morale booster this, and a clean sheet to boot.

Furlong 7

Did get sucked in a couple of times when Coventry quickly switched the play and Jake Bidwell was allowed to deliver from Albion's right, but Furlong was as enthusiastic as ever going forward and caused all sorts of problems with his long throw. Might've scored when he met a corner.

O'Shea 8

Excellent performance, particularly when you consider he was up against one of the most renowned attackers in the division. Took a blow to the face from Hamer's rasping strike but continued immediately unnerved, as you'd expect from him. So confident on the ball and is picking his passes.

Pieters 8

Truly is Albion's gem at the back, considering he arrived after the summer window and as left-back cover. A few miscued clearances in a performance which was otherwise littered with good decision making and aerial duels won. Cool head when needed.

Townsend 8

Really strong showing from Townsend, who looks to be loving life under Corberan. Was putting in crosses in the opening minutes and won the ball high too, in one moment picking up what looked a sore blow to his leg. Composed in his corner.

Molumby 8

You know the score with Molumby by now. He's energy and pressing and tenacious in the battle with bite in the tackle, but he's definitely becoming more refined under Corberan. Lots of confidence clearly, as he was bringing out some lovely skill under pressure.

Yokuslu 7

After Palmer and Phillips, there were concerns all round when Yokuslu hit the deck with nobody around him - whatever it was, he was treated quickly and immediately back on. A tad sloppy on occasion with the ball but otherwise as cool as ever. Great dink to tee up Dike.

Albrighton 8*

The first 45 minutes - perhaps even sooner than that - reflected precisely why Corberan and Albion viewed Albrighton as the ideal fit to come in and replace the injured Phillips. Lining up on the right, where the Spaniard has no end of options, the quality of his delivery was on show early on. It wasn't just with the ball he impacted Albion's game - he was sliding in to win challenges and charging down clearances. Looked at home already.

Diangana 8

A player with some fresh competition for places, he looked a player with newfound confidence. Application was very good. Some of his footwork in the opening stages were delicious. In the right place to open the scoring at the back post.

Wallace 7

Slowly becoming another number ten option for Corberan, who clearly likes how he can accommodate him and Albrighton in the same side. Signs that he is still getting to grips with that role, but his endeavour, bust-a-gut attitude and positive input around the box is why he is already firmly the fans' favourite. Signs of a partnership born with Albrighton.

Dike 5

We know Dike can produce - and not only in a goalscoring sense - because we saw the kind of performance at Luton that you want to see every week from him. Perhaps it's the effects of almost a year out, but he's still struggling to find that consistency. Worked hard enough in the press but had two good chances which he passed up.

Substitutes

Thomas-Asante (for Dike 59) 6

When Albion needed it, with Dike tiring, he was the fresh injection of energy and relentlessness that Albion needed. Some lovely touches and harrying of centre backs which rushed them into making errors.

Chalobah (for Yokuslu 67) 6

Through no fault of his own, was chasing a poor Swift pass which led to Gyokeres' chance. Otherwise was calm and collected and did the job.

Swift (for Albrighton 74)

What did you make of the players? Have your say in the comments section...

Substitutes not used: Griffiths, Ajayi, Grant, Reach

Coventry City XI: Wilson; Panzo, Doyle (Kelly 90), Norton-Cuffy (Eccles 61), Allen (Maguire 78), Sheaf, McNally, Gyokeres, Bidwell (Wilson-Esbrand 61), Hamer, Palmer (Godden 61)

Substitutes not used: Moore, Burroughs

GOALS

Albion - Diangana 15; Coventry -

The ref: Gavin Ward

Attendance: 24,719 (19,980 away)

Up next: Birmingham City (A) - Friday 10 February, 8pm kick off

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