WBA-MAD Player Ratings: Albion 4 Cardiff 2

Last updated : 06 October 2019 By Wba-mad Editor

Albion regained top spot in the Championship as the Baggies again won 4-2 for the second consecutive home game. 

This time it was Neil Warnock's Cardiff team who were brushed aside by Albion's attacking threat. 

Matheus Pereira, Grady Diagana, Charlie Austin and Romaine Saywers all found the net as Albion produced an eye-catching performance as they bounced back from their first league defeat of the campaign. 

Here's our match ratings: 

Sam Johnstone: Made two good saves when it was 0-0 but couldn't do much with either of the Cardiff goals. 

Nathan Ferguson: Another solid display from the teenager a day before his 19th birthday. Already looks like he's been playing in this division for several seasons. 7

Kyle Bartley: Was strong in the air when Cardiff went direct and kept it simple at the back. A good display from the centre back. 7

Semi Ajayi: Should've done better for both Cardiff goals. Was caught square for the first goal and then lost his man from the corner. Covered well throughout. 6

Darnell Furlong: Didn't get forward as much as he would've liked but always offered the option down the right. Couldn't quite find the final ball when he did get to the byline. 6

Romaine Saywers: The heartbeat of Albion's attacking play. Took the ball off Albion's defenders and then played forward to kick-start attacks. The type of player Albion have been after for seasons. Composed finish for Albion's fourth in injury time as well. 7

Jake Livermore: There's little doubt he's playing his best football in an Albion shirt. Livermore bossed the midfield and imposed himself on the game - especially when he drove forward to set up Diagana for Albion's second. Quickly turning into a key player. 8

Matheus Pereira: If Saywers is Albion's heartbeat then the technically gifted Brazilian is the Baggies' brains. Showed some sublime one-touch passing to bring in teammates and was central to everything Albion did well. Took his goal superbly. 9 MOTM 

Matty Phillips: A quiet afternoon for Phillips as Albion found more space and joy down the left. Tried to link up with Furlong but it just didn't happen for the wide-man. 6

Grady Diagana: Another loanee who showed that when he's on the top of his game then he's too good for this division. For all of the clever touches, it was his 20-yard drive into the net that got the fans to their feet. 8

Charlie Austin: On another day he'd have walked away with a hattrick. Austin worked hard alone up front and his movement was excellent to get on the end of two chances that were expertly kept out by the Cardiff stopper. Enjoyed his goal in front of the Birmingham Road End when his goal finally came. 8

SUBS

Kyle Edwards: Played most of the second half but couldn't influence the game as Diagana. Got into some promosing positions but always seemed to stumble at the last hurdle. 6

Filip Krovinovic: Nice little cameo from the Croatian playmaker. Drifted across the front line and seems to enjoy playing and linking up with Pereira - although he isn't the only one. 7

Kenneth Zahore: Came on the final few minutes but couldn't find the goal his was striving for against his old club. 6