Derby County 1 West Brom 1 – Player ratings

Sam Johnstone

Silenced his online critics with a superb display in goal. Not only did he save Waghorn’s second penalty – something he has a habit of doing – he also kept Albion in the game with crucial saves from open play, commanded his box well, distributed the ball sensibly, and rushed out to clear danger. 9

Nathan Ferguson

Repaid Bilic for putting him back in the team with another assured performance at right-back. Was the first person to test Kelle Roos after a driving run from deep and kept Tom Lawrence’s influence to a minimum. Comfortable on the ball. 6

Semi Ajayi

Jack Marriott can be a handful, but Ajayi dealt well with him all game, using his height and strength to ease the Derby striker off the ball and win possession back. Won a match-high five headers and continues to build a promising relationship with Bartley. 8

Kyle Bartley

Continues to grow in stature as each game passes, looking composed in a back four that plays to his strengths. He’s starting to become one of the reliable and experienced leaders in this side, providing a platform that now needs to be built on up front. 7

Kieran Gibbs

Made two mistakes before he had even given the penalty away in the sixth minute, which was an unnecessary lunging tackle on Martyn Waghorn. Was then forced off with a niggle after 20 minutes, making it hard to think of a worse afternoon he’s had in Albion colours. 3

Romaine Sawyers

Back to his best after a so-so performance in midweek. Has an eye for a pass but crucially, in this game, he executed it. Slipped Zohore in on goal, and also played forward balls into Livermore and Pereira in the box. More of that, and Albion will look more dangerous. 8

Jake Livermore

Struggled to get near Kieran Dowell in the first half, but was more tenacious after the break, and kept him slightly more quiet. Was unfortunate not to win a corner late on after a rare burst into the box nearly won it moments after Zohore’s penalty. 6

Matt Phillips

Is yet to hit the heights of last season’s early stages, when he was in blistering form, and was guilty at times of trying to dribble through too many people. There’s no doubting his quality, but it’s just not clicking with his new team-mates yet. 5

Filip Krovinovic

Krovinovic is a technically tidy player, and he’s always hungry for the ball, ticking Albion over. But too often the Croatian turns out and allows the opposition to get back behind the ball, making it more difficult to break them down. More tempo needed. 5

Kyle Edwards

Had three shots in the first half, two of which were blocked, one which went over. So he might have been a tad unfortunate to be dragged off at half-time again. Bilic is a big fan of Edwards, but it’s clear he trusts the experience of Phillips more at the moment. 5

Kenneth Zohore

It was deja vu for Albion’s no.9, who rescued another point from the spot late on. But Zohore really should have scored from open play just before half-time. And do his team-mates believe in him? When he got to the byline to pull a ball back, nobody bothered following into the box. 6

Substitutes

Darnell Furlong (Gibbs 20)

Came on and looked solid on both flanks. 6

Grady Diangana (Edwards 45)

Provided a bit of spark, and tested Roos from range before setting up a great chance for Livermore. 6

Matheus Pereira (Phillips 71)

Made a big difference to the last 20 minutes, and won the penalty. 7

Unused subs: Bond, O’Shea, Brunt, Austin.