The much-anticipated tactical clash between Tony Pulis and Pep Guardiola went as expected, as Manchester City dominated the game and put four goals past Ben Foster.
West Brom sat too deep in the first half, allowing City to continually run at the defence and, unlike their previous home fixture against Spurs, Foster couldn't keep his team in the game.
West Brom improved in the second half and if Salomon Rondon could have converted one of the two chances he had at 2-0 down, it may well have been a different game.
Positives
Once again the positives for West Brom came in the impact of their substitutions, which again highlights the fact that Pulis got his starting line up wrong.
James Morrison had another big impact from the bench, he gave the midfield more energy and kept the ball far better than the man he replaced, Darren Fletcher. Jonathan Leko was also excellent on the right hand side, running at and beating Aleksandar Kolarov regularly, while showing some decent composure with his final ball.
Negatives
Darren Fletcher has been a huge presence for West Brom since joining from Manchester United, but he is currently only in the team on reputation as he has been in poor form all season. He is giving the ball away regularly and often in dangerous areas of the pitch.
Jonas Olsson put in a good performance against Liverpool last weekend but he was shown up against City, with West Brom looking far better after Jonny Evans went back into the heart of the defence alongside Gareth McAuley.
Manager rating out of 10
5 -- Once again the team was set up to defend far too deeply, there wasn't enough pressure on the Man City defence which allowed them to play out from the back and quickly rebuild their confidence after their recent poor run of form.
Pulis made the strange decision to start with Nacer Chadli out wide, while using Jonny Evans in Claudio Yacob's role proved to be an experiment that didn't pay off.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ben Foster, 6 -- Made a couple of good saves but would have been disappointed in the way he was beaten by Sergio Aguero for City's first goal.
DF Craig Dawson, 6 -- Defended better than he did against Liverpool in West Brom's previous fixture, frustrating Nolito in the process. Got forward more than in recent weeks to support the exciting Leko.
DF Gareth McAuley, 7 -- Another tremendous defensive shift from the veteran centre-half, who also showed good composure when being pressured by the Manchester City forwards. Unlucky to see his close-range effort rebound back off the post.
DF Jonas Olsson, 5 -- This performance was reminiscent of his early season struggles, particularly when Manchester City ran at him. Didn't deserve the sarcastic cheering from the home crowd.
DF Allan Nyom, 5 -- Continues to look like a disaster waiting to happen in the makeshift left-back role. Likes to go forward but this often results in him being out of position and he lacks quality when he does get the ball in forward positions.
MF Nacer Chadli, 6 -- Wasted on the right hand side of midfield, something which Pulis quickly rectified. West Brom always look far more of an attacking threat when Chadli plays higher up the pitch like he did in the second half.
MF Jonny Evans, 6 -- The game totally bypassed Evans in the first half when playing in midfield. West Brom looked more organised in the second half when he returned to the centre of defence.
MF Darren Fletcher, 4 -- His passing was again poor and lost the ball in crucial positions, both defensive and offensive. Once again, the negative reaction from the crowd towards him after being substituted was unwarranted.
MF Chris Brunt, 6 -- His composure on the ball is something that most of West Brom's other midfielders lack. Turned City around with a couple of decent through balls. Played well both centrally and on the right side of midfield.
MF James McClean, 7 -- Once again looked West Brom's most dangerous outlet going forward until the introduction of Leko, and constantly pressured the City players in possession. Unfortunate to pick up his fifth booking of the season, which means he'll miss next weekend's fixture against Leicester.
FW Salomon Rondon, 6 -- The Venezuela forward was once again on a hiding to nothing, left far too isolated in the first half and often chasing shadows. Missed a couple of chances in the second half.
Substitutes
MF Jonathan Leko, 7 -- It was a lively showing from the 17-year-old winger, who showed no fear on the ball and was full of tricks and flicks. Better decision making and quality in the final third.
MF James Morrison, 7 -- Happy to take the pressure off the defence by taking the ball from them, drove forward well and also put in a good defensive shift. Needs to start next weekend.
FW Hal Robson-Kanu, NR -- Very little time for the Welshman to make an impact as he joined Rondon up front.