West Brom vs Watford Player ratings as the Baggies make late comeback
West Brom vs Watford Match Overview
West Brom held Watford to a 2-2 draw in the EFL Championship following a late comeback at the Hawthorns. The Hornets were 2-0 up after 66 minutes but the Baggies struck late on to claw their way back into the game and force a share of the spoils.
Coming into the match on the back of seven unbeaten league matches, West Brom were the favorites to win here, but even the best-laid plans of men and mice oft go awry. Carlos Corberán’s side were struggling to break down a resolute Watford side while spending much of the game in their own half as the visitors displayed menacing attacking intent.
A combination of near misses and some good defending from West Brom themselves kept the Hornets from going in front in the first half, but the former’s resistance was finally broken in the 51st minute when Edo Kayembe put them 1-0 up before Mileta Rajovic doubled their advantage, another 15 minutes later.
It seemed like West Brom’s long undefeated steak was going to end today, but the home side sprung a surprise late on. Brandon Thomas-Asante pulled a goal back for them in the 70th minute, which gave them a real boost as the West Midlands outfit pushed in search of an equalizer.
That elusive second goal arrived in stoppage time as Darnell Furlong struck in the 91st minute to make it 2-2, much to Watford’s chagrin.
West Brom vs Watford Player Ratings
West Brom Player Ratings
Alex Palmer (GK) – 7.0/10: The West Brom custodian was challenged several times in the match, and while he conceded thrice, Palmer also made five saves to keep Watford from running away with the game
Darnell Furlong (RB) – 7.2/10: His reading of the game was excellent, as Furlong made six clearances and blocked one shot, but his biggest contribution of the evening came at the other end when the defender scored in stoppage time to make it 2-2 for the Baggies
Semi Ajayi (CB) – 6.6/10: Another strong defensive show from Ajayi, who made six clearances and one block while also looking to send his team forward with a few long balls
Kyle Bartley (CB) – 7.1/10: His aerial prowess was on full display, with Bartley winning six of his seven duels, and passing range were excellent too, completing 91%.
Conor Townsend (LB) – 6.9/10: Townsend drove forward whenever he got the chance but couldn’t exert much influence on their attack
Okay Yokuslu (DM) – 6.4/10: Completely anonymous and offered no resistance to Watford’s movements in midfield
Alex Mowatt (DM) – 6.8/10: Besides a few good passes, Mowatt had an average game
Tom Fellows (RW) – 6.1/10: Sloppy in possession, poor recovery attempts, and not a single shot on target
John Swift (AM) – 6.8/10: While he had an eye for a pass, Swift never offered a direct threat to Watford
Mikey Johnston (LW) – 6.6/10: He made seven crosses and one key pass while attempting nine ground duels, winning four
Brandon Thomas-Asante (ST) – 7.4/10: The striker gave Watford’s defense plenty to think about, with his directness, movements, and link-up play. He even triggered the comeback with a goal in the 70th minute
Watford Player Ratings
Daniel Bachmann (GK) – 6.4/10: As West Brom failed to threaten for the longest time, he was having a comfortable match, until the Baggies sprung to life late on and put two past him
Ryan Porteous (CB) – 6.7/10: Vigilant and positionally aware, Porteous made three clearances, three interceptions, and blocked one shot, although he could’ve been better on the ball
Francisco Sierralta (CB) – 6.1/10: He held the fort well even as West Brom came to life
Wesley Hoedt (CB) – 7.3/10: A defensive masterclass from Hoedt, whose numbers say it all: five clearances, six tackles, two interceptions, and six ground duels won; Watford’s unsung hero of the evening
Ryan Andrews (RM) – 6.9/10: The match just went by him and Andrews was a mere spectator
Edo Kayembe (CM) – 7.4/10: He took his chance well and put Watford in front after 51 minutes
Tom Dele-Bashiru (CM) – 7.1/10: He wasn’t afraid to jump into tackles and displayed unerring passing accuracy
Jamal Lewis (LM) – 7.2/10: Many of Watford’s promising attacking moments flowed through him as Lewis was the creative inspiration for the Hornets
Ismael Kone (AM) – 7.0/10: Adept at ball recoveries but offered anything meaningful in attack
Vakoun Bayo (ST) – 6.7/10: He barely saw the ball, was beaten in the air multiple times, and failed to make a single cross or shot or a key pass
Emmanuel Dennis (ST) – 6.9/10: His shooting boots were missing here although his off-the-ball menace can’t be ignored
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