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Player Ratings: West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Manchester United

Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during this evening's 2-2 draw between West Brom and Manchester United at The Hawthorns.

West Bromwich Albion were denied a first ever home Premier League victory over Manchester United courtesy of an 87th-minute equaliser from the visitors this evening.

Stephane Sessegnon gave the Baggies the lead inside 10 minutes with a superb finish into the top corner, but Marouane Fellaini restored parity with his first United goal just minutes after the break.

The hosts were back in front through Saido Berahino shortly after the hour, but United rescued the 2-2 draw courtesy of a Daley Blind strike from the edge of the area.

Here, Sports Mole takes a look at who impressed during a thrilling encounter at The Hawthorns.


Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion celebrates with team mate Chris Brunt as he scores their second goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United at The Hawthorns on October 20, 2014© Getty Images

WEST BROM

Goal

Boaz Myhill: Could not do anything about either goal, but looked confident and assured under the high ball whenever he came for them. Made a few good stops but may have been expecting a busier night. (7/10)

Defence

Andre Wisdom: Set up the first goal with a powerful run and fine pass to Sessegnon. Coped with Di Maria fairly well, although could have done with getting closer to him on a couple of occasions. (7/10)

Joleon Lescott: Did a decent job of keeping Van Persie quiet for the vast majority of the match, but was shrugged off the ball far too easily for United's opener and gifted the ball to Blind for the equaliser. (5/10)

Craig Dawson: Almost caught out on a couple of occasions by long balls forward in the first half, but recovered to have a commanding game. Was put under heavy pressure at the start of the second half but coped with it better than Lescott. (8/10)

Sebastien Pocognoli: Was good on the ball and made a few important contributions both in attack and defence. However, a lot of crosses came in from his side at the start of the second half, causing the Baggies all sorts of problems. Eventually began to cut them out at the source, though. (6/10)

Midfield

Craig Gardner: Went about his business quietly but effectively. Contributed to his side's strong display in the opening stages and helped the Baggies win the midfield battle in the first half. (6/10)

Chris Brunt: Was always a danger with deliveries into the box, although his only real moment of creative magic came with the through-ball for Berahino's goal. (7/10)

James Morrison: Did his job in midfield and was never shy to get forward and add an extra body to attack. Nothing spectacular, but a solid performance. (6/10)

Graham Dorrans: Was influential in the middle while his side were dominating proceedings in the early stages, setting the move that led to the opening goal in motion. Faded in and out of the match, but caught the eye on a few occasions. (7/10)

Stephane Sessegnon: Caused Blind plenty of problems with his constant movement, linking up well with those around him to great effect in the process. Scored the opener with a magnificent strike into the top corner. (8/10)

Attack

Saido Berahino: Kept the United defence on their toes all night despite not having many shooting opportunities. When his chance did come, he took it with aplomb, curling a composed finish past De Gea. Another very impressive display from the youngster. (8/10)

Substitutes

Youssouf Mulumbu: Replaced Sessegnon with four minutes of normal time remaining but could not prevent the equaliser. (6/10)


Manchester United's Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini celebrates scoring their first goal as West Bromwich Albion's US-born Welsh goalkeeper Boaz Myhill reacts during the English Premier League football match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester© Getty Images

MAN UTD

Goal

David de Gea: Could do absolutely nothing about either goal, and those were the only two shots on target he faced all night. (6/10)

Defence

Rafael: Was at fault for West Brom's second as he played Berahino onside. Did put in a couple of good challenges, but was sloppy in possession at times and failed to pose much of a threat going forward. (5/10)

Phil Jones: Perhaps could look at his positioning for the second goal, although had Rafael been in sync with the rest of his defence then Berahino would have been offside. Helped limit the Baggies to just two shots on target. (6/10)

Marcos Rojo: Was given a tough time of things by Berahino, who afforded him no rest whatsoever. Even so, in general he coped fairly well against the movement of both the young striker and Sessegnon. (6/10)

Luke Shaw: Was drawn out of position for the opening goal, allowing Wisdom to burst forward and set up the goal. Was left a little isolated at times in the first half, and didn't have much of an impact going forward either. (6/10)

Midfield

Daley Blind: Was overrun at times in midfield, particularly in the opening stages. Did not have his best game trying to shackle Sessegnon, but recovered to score the all-important equaliser - his first goal for the club. (6/10)

Ander Herrera: Part of a midfield that struggled to get anything going in the first half. Was not energetic enough and failed to close the hosts down, so was subsequently subbed off at the break. (5/10)

Adnan Januzaj: Was fairly anonymous throughout in terms of genuine contributions in the final third. Was handed a rare start by Van Gaal, but was unable to make the most of it. (6/10)

Juan Mata: Also struggled to make an impact on proceedings in the first half, but did contribute to his side's improvement immediately after the break. (6/10)

Angel di Maria: Easily United's brightest player in the first half. Looked a class apart from everyone else on the field when he found space. Created a chance for Van Persie and had a shot of his own saved in the first half, while the quality of his deliveries were probably the main reason Van Gaal brought Fellaini on at the break. Eventually limped off with 15 minutes remaining. (8/10)

Attack

Robin van Persie: Struck the post with a good effort from outside the box, but failed to impress when Falcao was not on the field. Missed two decent chances in the first half and struggled to get any joy up against Dawson. (6/10)

Substitutes

Marouane Fellaini: Completely changed the game when he came on at the break. Gave United a focal point for their many crosses into the box and caused West Brom all sorts of problems with his height and physical presence. Showed great strength to hold off Lescott for his goal, while the finish was emphatic. (8/10)

Radamel Falcao: His mere presence gave United more of a threat up front and almost directly led to a goal as Van Persie struck the post following Falcao's pressure on Lescott. Ultimately did not have a telling contribution, though. (6/10)

Ashley Young: Replaced Di Maria with 15 minutes left but failed to have the same impact as his predecessor had enjoyed. (6/10)


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Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion scores their second goal as Rafael of Manchester United looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester United at The Hawthorns on October 20, 2014
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