Swansea City 2-1 West Bromwich Albion: Heroes, villains & player ratings from sloppy Baggies display

Grant put West Brom on the front foot with a quick opener but that would be their only goal action as Joel Piroe and Jamie Paterson netted in an improved second-half performance from Swansea.

The in-form Grant gave the Baggies the perfect start as they scored inside the first minute. West Brom’s high press forced Kyle Naughton into danger and it was pounced upon by Jake Livermore who threaded the ball to Callum Robsion who then laid the ball to Grant for a close-ranged finish. 

Grant’s rapid opener looked like the game would be played at full throttle but similar to the game against Birmingham, it became a slow rugged affair.

Discipline was also an issue as Semi Ajayi, Darnell Furlong and Jayson Molumby were all cautioned during the first period.

On the hour mark, Swansea got back level as Joël Piroe scored his eighth goal of the season. The Dutchman, played onside by Conor Townsend, shrugged off the challenge of Matt Clarke and tucked his shot past Sam Johnstone.

​​West Brom heads dropped after conceding, twice allowing Olivier Ntcham a chance to pull Swansea in front, but fortunately both attempts were blazed over.

After weathering the South Wales rain and the Swansea attack, West Brom went close as Matt Phillips’ rasping effort was smashed onto the crossbar.

Seven minutes from time, the game was turned on its head as Paterson fired the Welsh side in front.

West Brom were unable to fight a late fightback and had to succumb to their second league defeat of the season.

Heroes

Karlan Grant: Grant surely loves an early start in South Wales. The young forward scored in the fifth minute away at Cardiff and was quick on the mark against Swansea. He certainly looked up for the game when Albion took an early lead, but the negativity of the team blighted his personal performance.

Jamie Paterson: Paterson is lighting up the Championship right now. His fourth goal in six games clinched all three points for Russell Martin’s men. Paterson’s reading of the game was ultimately the difference this evening. His pass to find Piroe for the equaliser was smart, whilst his finish is what is needed at this level.

Joël Piroe: The Dutch forward, who has been likened to compatriot Ruud van Nistlerooy is at the heart of Swansea are about at the moment. He had a number of opportunities and in the second-half caused plenty of problems for the West Brom defence.

Villains

Semi Ajayi: The centre-back rode his luck a few times after an obvious yellow card and had it been a different day, he may not have stayed on the pitch. He was cautioned for a cynical handball, handling it whilst a ball was played over the top. Ajayi also raised his boot high in the second-half which, had it connected properly, could have injured the player. Part of a defence which were carved open a number of times and looked shaky.

Jake Livermore: It wasn’t the greatest performance from the skipper this evening. Livermore lost possession a total of 14 times, made no key passes and made no successful tackles. West Brom looked lost in the middle of the park and needed a voice to get them back into the game. To add to his woes, he was one of four players yellow carded on the evening which will now see him suspended for their next match.

West Brom’s tactics: There was criticism on how West Brom played in their win over Birmingham and tonight's performance wasn’t an improvement on that. Despite a first-half lead, the Baggies didn’t control the game at all and the result came as no surprise given how the game went. Swansea with their emphasis on possession scored at the right times and made a similar amount of chances as West Brom but ultimately theirs were taken.

Player ratings

Swansea City: Hamer 7, Bennett 6, Naughton 6, Cabango 6 (Williams, 85), Laird 6, Downes 6 (Ntcham 46;), Grimes 7, (C), Bidwell 6 (Latibeaudiere, 85), Paterson 8, Smith 6, Piroe 8.

West Brom (3-4-3): Johnstone 6, Ajayi 6, Bartley 5, Clarke 6, Furlong 5, Livermore 4 (C), Molumby 6 (Snodgrass, 78), Townsend 7, Phillips 6 (Reach, 83), Robinson 6 (Hugill 6, 55), Grant 7.

Player of the Match

Jamie Paterson: He can do no wrong at the moment. A match-winning performance against Swansea’s bitterest rivals and then a similar display against a team contending against promotion. Paterson set up the equaliser before scoring with a sublime strike.

What’s next for both clubs?

It’s a short turn around for both teams with both in league action again on Saturday.

 For West Brom, they are at home against Bristol City, who are just below mid-table, following a late defeat to Nottingham Forest.

Swansea, who are high on form right now, head to the Midlands to face Birmingham City, who were held to a goalless draw by Huddersfield Town.