West Brom secured their seventh win in eight home games with a 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, the first time they have beaten Eddie Howe's side in the Premier League. Gareth McAuley's 21st-minute header completed the comeback after Tony Pulis' side went behind on three minutes from the penalty spot. The win takes West Brom to 40 points, with the next target now being 50 points or more, which would be a Premier League club record.
Positives
Jonny Evans returned to the centre of the defence due to an injury to Matt Phillips and it was like the former Manchester United man had never been away, slotting in seamlessly alongside McAuley. For the second game in a row, McAuley scored a crucial goal, with the Northern Ireland international now level with Salomon Rondon on seven goals for the season. West Brom's ability to get goals from most players on the pitch has undoubtedly been a huge help to them this season, rather than just relying on one player.
Negatives
While it is pleasing to have players like McAuley and Craig Dawson contributing goals to the side, Pulis will be desperate to see Rondon's effort and endless running rewarded with a goal at some point. The Venezuela international looks bereft of confidence and there were some poor touches at moments when he could have been in on goal with better control.
Manager rating out of 10
7 -- While the second half was more a case of sitting back and looking to hit Bournemouth on the counter, West Brom's first-half display was pro-active despite being a goal down early on. They pressed high up the pitch and the freedom that Pulis gave Nacer Chadli allowed him to link up well with James Morrison on a couple of occasions, meaning that the absence of Phillips wasn't keenly felt.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Ben Foster, 8 -- Was relatively quiet for the majority of the game, but stood up when it mattered. Made two saves in injury time to secure the win, including a magnificent sprawling stop from Tyrone Mings' header.
DF Craig Dawson, 7 -- Was strong defensively and always a threat going forward, both from set plays and more unexpectedly from open play, with his deflected long-range strike levelling the scores.
DF Gareth McAuley, 8 -- Was another who made a telling contribution in both penalty areas. Has a happy knack for being in the right place at the right time going forward, poking home after Artur Boruc's error. Won one crucial header to divert the ball away from Jack Wilshere six yards out.
DF Jonny Evans, 8 -- Was calm on the ball, mopping up any passes played in behind the defence and marshalling his defensive colleagues superbly throughout.
DF Allan Nyom, 6 -- Got the wrong side of Ryan Fraser and was clumsy with his challenge when giving away a penalty after just three minutes, but defended resolutely on both sides of the pitch after that moment.
MF Chris Brunt, 7 -- Played further forward than in recent weeks and was able to influence the game more, with several incisive passes in the first half particularly. His set piece delivery was pin-point throughout.
MF Jake Livermore, 8 -- Put in another outstanding performance, bossing the middle of the park with a powerful and energetic display from box to box.
MF Darren Fletcher, 7 -- Drove his team forward alongside Livermore. Won the ball back continually and used it well up until the final 10 minutes when he seemed to tire.
MF James Morrison, 8 -- Was not at his most potent creatively, but the effort he put in from the first whistle was outstanding. His pressing enabled West Brom to play higher up the pitch and force Bournemouth into the long ball more than they would have wanted.
MF Nacer Chadli, 7 -- Looks reinvigorated and somewhere back to his best, adding another assist to his tally for the season by supplying the pass for Dawson's equaliser.
FW Salomon Rondon, 6 -- Is a willing runner and gave Steven Cook and Mings lots of problems, but lacks a goal threat at the moment. Nobody can question the effort that he puts in.
Substitutes
MF James McClean, 6 -- Put in an industrious display from the wing and a real shift defensively in the final 10 minutes to help cover Nyom. Could have scored at least once late on.
MF Claudio Yacob, 6 -- Helped stem the flow of Bournemouth attacks by breaking up play in the middle of the park, although he did give the ball away needlessly on a couple of occasions.
MF Sam Field, N/R -- Subbed on late in the game to provide some fresh legs in the defensive effort.