WBA-MAD Player Ratings: Albion 2 Stoke 1

Last updated : 02 September 2018 By Wba-mad Editor

Albion returned to winning ways as they beat local rivals Stoke City 2-1 with Dwight Gayle bagging both goals. 

Here's how WBA-MAD rated Albion's players: 

Sam Johnstone: Shakey at times in the first half with the ball at his feet and was fortunate not to concede when McClean blocked his attempted clearance. Comanded his box better after the break when Stoke tried to find Crouch. No chance with Stoke's goal. 6/10

Craig Dawson: Brought a calmness to Albion's backline after his self-imposed exile. Used the ball well and kept McClean quiet. A welcome return to Albion's back three. 6/10

Ahmed Hegazi: Another who looked uneasy in the first half but grew into the game. Won some important headers in the second half and did well to marshal Crouch. 7/10

Kyle Bartley: Guilty of playing Albion in trouble a few times in the first half and was booked for handling the ball into the net. Improved after the break. 6/10

Kieran Gibbs: Getting better with each game. Created Albion's opener bringing the ball out of defence and then finding Gayle with a clever flick. Worked hard to get forward and to protect his fellow defenders. 7/10

Matt Phillips: Kept quiet by McClean as Stoke worked hard to double up on the tricky winger. Like Gibbs, worked hard at both ends of the pitch. 6/10

Chris Brunt: Much better from Brunt who got Albion a foothold in the game early on. Another who had to work hard to cover Albion's flanks and used his experience to wind the game down late on. 6/10

Jake Livermore:  One his best performances in an Albion shirt. Was more positive with the ball and expertly set up Gayle for his second. 8/10

Harvey Barnes: Struggled to find space in the first half but was unlucky not to find the back of net after Livermore's fine through ball. Came to life after the break when the game opened up. 7/10

Jay Rodriguez: Worked hard throughout but had little impact and no opportunities in front of goal. Striking up a good partnership with Gayle. 6/10

Dwight Gayle: Albion's best striker since Kevin Phillips. A natural goalscorer Albion have been missing over the last few years. His first goal was wonderful; his second not far behind. 9/10

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Hal Robson-Kanu: Came on for Gayle in the 72nd minute and worked hard to maintain Albion's lead. Held the ball up better than in recent games. 6/10

Gareth Barry: Brought on to kill the game. Tried to put himself about but struggled to pick up the pace of the game. 6/10