Preston North End 2 West Brom 3 - Player ratings

Sam Johnstone

Overshadowed by the heroics from his opposite number and was wrong-footed by Andrew Hughes’s free-kick, which he thought was going over the wall rather than around it. Little he could have done about the second, and his distribution was impressive. 6/10

Craig Dawson

The main outlet for Albion in possession, he stepped up the pitch with the ball well and normally found a team member with his pass. Defensively sound at the back, until the last couple of minutes of injury time, but on the whole, an assured performance. 7/10

Ahmed Hegazi

Apart from one misjudged back-pass that went out for a corner, the big Egyptian had a blemish-free game. Mopped up everything at the back and headed danger clear on countless occasions. After a poor start to the season, he’s found some form recently. 8/10

Kyle Bartley

Looked more comfortable in possession and like Dawson, was willing to move forward with the ball. Was dominant in the air too, particularly towards the end of the game, but might have given away a penalty in the second half after a tangle of legs with Brandon Barker. 6/10

Tyrone Mears

It was always going to be difficult living up to Matt Phillips, and Mears lacked presence in the first half, although his team-mates rarely brought him into play. Better after half-time, and helped set up a chance that nearly led to a penalty. 5/10

Jake Livermore

Continues to impress this season. Always looking to be on the ball, whether it was dropping deep to help the defenders or moving further up the pitch. Set up Barnes in the first half, and clipped in the cross for Rodriguez’s headed goal. 8/10

Gareth Barry

Tidy on the ball but struggled to get to grips with the pace of the game, particularly in a pedestrian first half. Overshadowed by Livermore’s industry, and now he’s 37, his game-time needs to be managed. Expect Chris Brunt on Wednesday. 5/10

Kieran Gibbs

Was a regular option over on the left hand side but struggled to get in behind his man. Didn’t come to life until the last 30 minutes, and picked up a silly yellow card in the first half for wrestling the ball away from Fisher to take a throw. 6/10

Harvey Barnes

Might have scored when Livermore put him through on goal, although he was under pressure and falling over. Looked bright when he got on the ball, but struggled to find as much space as he has done previously. Quieter than usual, but still a threat. 6/10

Jay Rodriguez

Even though he was decent enough to admit his header came off his shoulder, he deserved it for getting in front of his man. That move epitomised his hard-working performance, which was capped off when he sought out a young fan afterwards to give him his shirt. Top scorer with seven goals. 8/10

Dwight Gayle

Nearly won another penalty but strayed a centimetre offside, and then whipped a free-kick into the top corner from 30 yards. And that wasn't a lucky hit because Darren Moore confirmed afterwards that he practises them every day. It atoned for his earlier foul on the edge of his own box that led to Preston’s equaliser, but he deserves credit for tracking back. Six goals from eight league starts, why on earth did Newcastle let him leave?! 8/10

Substitutes

Chris Brunt (Barry 72)

Stabilised the midfield. 6/10

Hal Robson-Kanu (Barnes 72)

Struggled to make an impact. 5/10

Sam Field (Gayle 90+2)

Kept his head in the final minutes. 5/10

Unused subs: Myhill. Adarabioyo, Edwards, Hoolahan.