West Brom boss explains thinking around left-back Charlie Taylor's successful central defensive display

Taylor, 32, partnered Nat Phillips while regular centre-back Chris Mepham dropped to the bench.

Albion goals came through defenders George Campbell and Phillips, but it was the left-footed Taylor who caught the eye with an assured display in a more unnatural role. Mason explained the versatile defender's ability with his left added balance and an option to build moves for his side.

"We didn't change anything with the ball," Mason said. "It was my normal principles, we adapted a few positions and started a few players within a different 10 yards, with different positions to attack different spaces.

"But it helps having a left-footer there, because we were able to use the outside a lot. That was a big part of the game plan, to play around their shape and attack the deep space from there.

"Having a left-footer there does help. Charlie's done that for us. He's done that in his career as well. At Burnley he did it quite a bit under Vincent Kompany.

"It was good to have two left-footers on that side of defence, with Mowey (Alex Mowatt) as well, so we had three left-footers there that could use the space outside.

"Mepps came on and we're going to need him in this busy period. With the type of game we thought, and type of game it was, we thought it'd be better to have a left-footed player there."

Taylor, who is in on a season-long loan from Championship rivals Southampton, previously started at centre-back in the 2-1 home win over Oxford.

It was a ninth Albion start, and 13th appearance in total, for the former Burnley stalwart.