West Brom came off second best in an ultra-tight clash with leaders Leicester City on Saturday afternoon after an unthinkable defensive miscalculation from the Baggies, and perhaps more specifically, Carlos Corberan. Harry Winks secured all three points for the visitors with a goal deep in stoppage time to make it 2-1.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall put the Foxes in front, perfectly timing a run into the box to head home from close range in the 72nd minute. The Baggies struggled to create chances all afternoon in an ultra-tight all-Midlands clash, but just one minute from time, Semi Ajayi flicked on a ball into the box to find substitute Maja, who managed to stab home from close range to take a point.
That should have been enough, but three minutes into stoppage time, West Brom committed far too many bodies into the box for a long throw and it only took a clearance and one pass to bypass the one defender Carlos Corberan left back, setting Dewsbury-Hall through on goal with 50 yards to run. The Foxes midfielder squared for Winks, who stretched to tap home with his first touch.
This one felt like a huge missed opportunity for West Brom, who shot themselves in the foot by irresponsibly going for the winner in the way they did. Here we rate the performances of the Baggies players from the tough-to-take defeat.
1. Alex Palmer - 6
Didn't have a great deal to until a good reaction save in the 69th minute. He couldn't do anything about either goal.
2. Darnell Furlong - 7
A lack of midfield help saw him forced out of position to cover a lot in the first half. Made a number of top-level last-ditch blocks. and produced a solid defensive display. Looked as though he lost Dewsbury-Hall for the goal, but it shouldn't have been his man, with the midfield not helping out enough again.
3. Cedric Kipre - 6
Came close with a good first-half header. Managed the game well at the back for the most part. Tough to blame any defenders for the winner, given it would have been Corberan's instructions to go for the winner and only leave one player deep.
4. Semi Ajayi - 7
Goal-saving challenge early on but turned too easily by Kelechi Iheanacho to concede a good chance just before the break. Ajayi was not at fault for the goals and did his job here, also managing an important flick on for the goal.