Wayne Rooney says Derby County were full value for draw in ‘ugly’ game at West Brom

West Brom had to settle for their second consecutive draw at the Hawthorns following Tuesday’s goalless showing against Derby County.

The result means the Baggies remain unbeaten in the Championship this season but with rivals around them winning, their grip on top spot has loosened.

After a first half that was better off forgotten, Valerien Ismael’s side looked much more like themselves in the second 45.

Grady Diangana and Kyle Bartley both went close with good efforts before Darnell Furlong launched himself at a diving header which Kelle Roos kept out superbly in stoppage time.

In truth, the visitors barely even ventured into Albion’s half in the second period but they saw off wave-after-wave of attacks and were able to hold the Baggies to an unlikely draw.

Despite creating no real chances of note, visiting manager Wayne Rooney believes it was always going to be that way when coming up against a ‘direct’ West Brom side.

“It’s an ugly way of playing. I didn’t enjoy it from that point of view and I don’t think the fans enjoy that way and as you can see tonight, I don’t think the West Brom fans enjoy that way of playing either,” he said.

“We just felt if we tried to play out from the back, they are really good at pressing you and I felt that would have caused us problems tonight so we matched them up and I thought we were very good at playing in that style.”

Despite registering just four shots to Albion’s 25 on the night and recording none on the target of Sam Johnstone’s goal, Rooney believes his side were full value for a point.

“The lads tonight were excellent,” he added.

“It’s a different way of playing. It’s clear to see it was an ugly game but I felt against West Brom, similar to how Barnsley were last season, they aren’t looking to play, they are direct.

“They looked to try and win second balls and put the ball in your box and I thought we handled it and dealt with it well.

“There were a couple of times they got the shots off. Kelle Roos made some good saves but overall I think it was a well deserved point.

“I think we tried to go with the three lads up top to man mark their centre-backs because of how they play.

“They go direct, you win the first ball and their centre-backs step in and put it back in your box so we tried to stop that. I think the game plan was good but it’s only good when the lads put the work in like they do tonight.”