Analysis: Classy West Brom hit lofty heights

And on Saturday – at Loftus Road – he saw it in the Albion team he has built in just three months.

‘Pure class’ was how Bilic described his team’s display from the moment Nathan Ferguson opened the scoring early in the second half.

“QPR were second best and that is not because they were bad, it was because we were very, very good.”

Before we wax lyrical about Albion’s display, it’s important to remember who they were up against.

Mark Warburton’s side were on home turf, had won their last four games and – like the Baggies – entered the game having taken an impressive 16 points from their first eight matches.

In their 3-5-2 formation they are dangerous. They make the pitch big as they look to get wing-backs Todd Kane and Ryan Manning on the ball.

In Ilias Chair and Ebere Eze they have two lung-busting midfielders meaning, at times, they are effectively playing with a front four. And in Nakhi Wells and Jordan Hugill they have an astute strike force full of goals.

Here, though, they were unable to find any rhythm – largely due to some outstanding defensive performances.

In the middle of the park, Romaine Sawyers and Jake Livermore covered an incredible amount of ground to ensure QPR’s midfield three didn’t run the game.

In central defence, Semi Ajayi put in a Rolls Royce display – with the defender’s reading of the game impeccable.

While next him Kyle Bartley was commanding, winning everything in the air and on the ground.

With that solid defensive platform, Albion were able to exert their authority in a first-half where Matheus Pereira and Grady Diangana were outstanding.

Pereira, in particular, was a joy to watch in the number 10 role.

Little drag-backs, wonderful reverse passes, terrific footwork – fans inside Loftus Road were watching a magician at work.

It wasn’t just Albion who were defending well, though. Rangers, too, proved difficult to break down.

That meant the first half, while entertaining, passed with few clear-cut chances having been created.

Albion just needed to find that one moment to break through.

And they got it when the fearless Ferguson collected the ball on halfway and drove into space.

Then from 25 yards he spectacularly arrowed the ball into the bottom corner.

Goalkeeper Joe Lumley will feel he should have stopped it. But Bilic’s men deserved to be ahead.

And it was magical then watching Ferguson run to the travelling fans to celebrate his first senior goal.

It capped what was yet another outstanding display from the teenager.

Not only did he impress in his starting position of left-back. Ferguson’s versatility meant at times Albion effectively played with a back three at Loftus Road.

The 18-year-old could often be seen moving inside to join forces with Ajayi and Bartley.

And by doing that at the right time, the Baggies were able to outnumber Wells and Hugill whenever they tried to link up.

It also allowed right-back Darnell Furlong to play further forwards.

“Darnell is very good at going forwards and crossing the ball,” Ferguson said post-match.

“Sometimes we will morph into a three so Darnell can have that freedom.”

Albion had defended impressively before Ferguson’s goal. But they took it to another level afterwards.

QPR began playing with a very high line in a bid to push them back and try and rescue something from the game.

But the Baggies stayed firm. And then hit them with a devastating counter-attack.

An exquisite long-pass from Sawyers sent Hal Robson-Kanu racing through on goal from halfway.

The Welshman was then tangled to the floor by Yoann Barbet.

Robson-Kanu actually thumped the ground in frustration – he was so desperate to go on and score.

But he had been denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

And that meant Barbet had to go, with referee Geoff Eltringham issuing a straight red card.

Robson-Kanu may not have scored.

But Pereira did from the resultant free-kick – and in manner fitting of this overall performance.

Instead of curling the ball around the wall, the Brazilian fired it low.

The wall jumped. And that meant the ball simply rolled into the bottom corner.

Pereira – as he had been throughout the match – was a step ahead of everyone.

And it’s going to be fascinating to see where he goes from here, having now scored his first goal for the club.

From that point on, Albion could – and perhaps should – have made the scoreline four or five.

Kyle Edwards was twice denied by the keeper.

Lumley also made an excellent stop to keep out a Robson-Kanu header after he met a Furlong cross.

None of that mattered, though, as the 2,124 fans that travelled had just witnessed what can only be described as a complete performance from their side.

Over the course of the 90 minutes, an in-form QPR didn’t have a single shot on target.

And that was due to Albion playing with quality, professionalism and control.

It was just one game, but the positives kept coming with Leeds and Swansea’s results meaning the Baggies currently top the Championship table.

Of course, it is still early days, but get a result at Elland Road tomorrow and this Albion side really will be feared.