Express & Star

Rotherham 0 West Brom 4 - Player ratings

Baggies fans will be dreaming of a Dwight Christmas after the striker netted a hat-trick in a clinical 4-0 win over Rotherham United yesterday. Here we rate Gayle and the rest of the players.

Published
Albion celebrate one of Gayle's goals. (AMA)

Sam Johnstone

Fully deserves his second clean sheet of the season, because he had to work for it. A superb full-stretch save in the second half denied Michael Smith, and he had to deal with several wicked deliveries. Has now faced four penalties this season, and none have been scored. 7/10

Tosin Adarabioyo

Although he gave away the penalty, the young defender looked a lot more comfortable than in previous weeks. His spin in midfield to set up Gayle’s hat-trick goal shows how composed he is in possession, and his aerial defending was improved. 6/10

Craig Dawson

A typically battling performance at the back on his 200th appearance for the club. He was in the wars from early on, but was a consistently dominant aerial presence. His partnership with Ahmed Hegazi is flourishing, now they’re being asked to defend, rather than create. 8/10

Ahmed Hegazi

Over the past few weeks, Hegazi has turned into Albion’s rock in defence. Nothing seems to get past him these days. But his best moment was a spin on the halfway line followed by a run forward that prompted a chorus of “Are you Salah in disguise?” from the away end. 8/10

Kieran Gibbs

A Premier League left-back plying his trade in the Championship. Never really looked too flustered, and played sensible balls forward into the feet of Harvey Barnes or Jay Rodriguez. Gibbs appears to be enjoying his football at the moment. 7/10

Matt Phillips

Found Dwight Gayle at the near post with a free-kick just before half-time, and represents the all-important pace and dynamism in the midfield trio. A crucial cog in the current machine that has gone seven games unbeaten. Taken off late on to save legs. 7/10

Gareth Barry

Although he misplaced the odd pass in the first half, he was consistently looking for the ball in the deep-lying playmaker role, and screening the back four effectively. Taken off after the fourth goal went in to save his energy for Boxing Day. A class act. 7/10

Jake Livermore

Headed one off the line in the second half, and provides the necessary industry in the midfield battle. He wanted that clean sheet as much as the defenders. Livermore is developing into a leader for Albion, and is now a regular holder of the captain’s armband. 7/10

Dwight Gayle

He wished for a hat-trick, and Santa duly delivered. But this was all down to Gayle. His inventiveness made and scored the first, his determination got the second, his opportunism grabbed the third. A natural finisher with a beaming smile. No wonder the fans want Albion to sign him up. 10/10

Jay Rodriguez

Misplaced a few passes and took the ball off his team-mates’ toes. Hit the post with his only real chance of the game, although Barnes followed it up for him. Overshadowed by his team-mates, although the system requires him to drop deep and do the dirty work while others stay up pitch. 5/10

Harvey Barnes

His ability to run with the ball under pressure is unparalleled in this division, and it was a neat nutmeg that set up the second goal he eventually swept home. A future superstar, Albion will hope Leicester do not come calling in January. 8/10

Substitutes

Chris Brunt (Barry 58)

Came on and did the job required. 6/10

James Morrison (Phillips 78)

A calm head on the ball. 6/10

Hal Robson-Kanu (Gayle 82)

Looked lively, and drew a save. 6/10

Unused: Myhill, Mears, Harper, Sako