Wolves 2-3 West Brom: Player ratings as Baggies edge thrilling Black Country derby

West Brom grabbed their first win of the Sam Allardyce era as they beat Black Country rivals Wolves 3-2 at Molineux on Saturday.

The visitors were handed a glorious opportunity to take the lead inside the opening ten minutes, when Willy Boly's reckless challenge brought down Callum Robinson in the area. Matheus Pereira took responsibility from the spot and he made no mistake, sending Rui Patricio the wrong way.

The goal sparked Wolves into life and two quickfire strikes late in the first half saw the home side take a 2-1 lead into interval. Firstly, Fabio Silva coolly slotted home after great work from Boly in the Baggies penalty area, before Boly got himself on the scoresheet to mark an eventful opening 45 for the Ivory Coast international.

Despite beginning the second half 2-1 down, incredibly, the visitors found themselves 3-2 up by the 56th minute. Semi Ajayi drew his side level with a superb looping header shortly after the interval, before Pereira edged the Baggies ahead with his second penalty of the game, after Conor Coady had fouled Robinson in the box.

It was one-way traffic for the remainder of the game as Wolves desperately went in search of an equaliser, but the West Brom backline stood strong as Allardyce notched the first three points of his Baggies reign.

Anyway, enough of the match highlights, time for the player ratings.

Wolves

1. Goalkeepers & Defenders

Rui Patricio (GK) - 6/10 - Made a huge save from Robinson in the first half to prevent his side from going two goals down. Very little he could do about any of the West Brom goals.

Nelson Semedo (RB) - 6/10 - Plenty of willing running down the Wolves left but not much to show for his endeavours. Refused to give up and looked a real threat late on as he surged forward.

Conor Coady (CB) - 4/10 - Very rash as he clumsily brought down Robinson in the area to gift West Brom the opportunity to take the lead. Many have questioned if he can play in a back four, and on this showing the scepticism is warranted. Hooked shortly after the hour mark - the first time he's ever been subbed in the Premier League.

Willy Boly (CB) - 7/10 - Marked his return to the starting XI by conceding a penalty in the opening ten minutes. Evidently desperate to atone for his error and grabbed a goal and an assist before half-time.

Romain Saiss (LB) - 6/10 - Asked to slot in at left-back again and did well considering it's not his natural position. Couldn't offer much of an offensive threat but a steady performance.

2. Midfielders

Ruben Neves (CM) - 6/10 - Kept things ticking over and did a good job of sitting deeper as Wolves attacked and he recycled anything that came his way.

Leander Dendoncker (CM) - 6/10 - The most lively of the Wolves midfield three. Looked to drag his team up the field whenever he was in possession and wasn't afraid to test David Button on his Premier League debut for West Brom.

Joao Moutinho (CM) - 5/10 - A display full of energy but couldn't get a grip on the game as he would have liked. Pushed further forward in the latter stages but was unable to find any real quality when in positions of promise.

3. Forwards

Adama Traore (RW) - 5/10 - A frustrating afternoon on the whole. Looked to have the beating of Kieran Gibbs down the Wolves right but couldn't take advantage.

Fabio Silva (ST) - 7/10 - Yet again the youngster was given the nod up top as Wolves look to adapt to life without the injured Raul Jimenez. Easily his best performance since arriving in England, showing strength to shrug off defenders and composure in front of goal.

Pedro Neto (LW) - 6/10 - Lively in the first half and continued to demand the ball despite receiving some 'rough' treatment from the West Brom backline. Faded a little in the second period.

4. Substitutes

Morgan Gibbs-White (CAM) - 5/10

Rayan Ait-Nouri (LB) - 6/10

Patrick Cutrone (ST) - 5/10

WEST BROM

5. Goalkeepers & Defenders

David Button (GK) - 6/10 - Handed his league debut for West Brom after Sam Johnstone tested positive for coronavirus. Wolves were clearly keen to test him early on but he did well to repel any their long-range efforts.

Dara O'Shea (RB) - 4/10 - Criminally bad defending for the Wolves equaliser as he was caught ball-watching before being eased to the side by Silva who then applied the finish.

Semi Ajayi (CB) - 7/10 - Fantastic looping header early in the second half which levelled the scores at 2-2. Stood tall and battled brilliantly in the air as Wolves threw the kitchen sink late on.

Kyle Bartley (CB) - 8/10 - Was fantastic in the air and helped to keep West Brom in the game at times with some colossal headed clearances. Threw himself in front of everything that came his way.

Kieran Gibbs (LB) - 5/10 - Really struggled to contain Adama Traore and was lucky the former Middlesbrough man's final ball let him down time and time again.

6. Midfielders

Romaine Sawyers (CM) - 7/10 - Combative and aggressive and did a great job of passing through the lines as the pressure began to grown in the latter stages of the game.

Jake Livermore (CM) - 5/10 - Neat and tidy but really needs to impact games more. Someone with his passing ability could be a huge asset when the Baggies need to stretch games, but he seemed content to just knock it sideways and backwards.

Robert Snodgrass (CAM) - 5/10 - His first Premier League start of the season having mustered just three substitute appearances for West Ham this campaign. Relatively uneventful display and is clearly lacking match sharpness.

7. Forwards

Matheus Pereira (RW) - 8/10 - Showed composure to slot home from the spot after missing in the shoot-out against Blackpool in the FA Cup. Showed glimpses of absolute quality - will undoubtedly be a huge player if West Brom are to survive.

Callum Robinson (ST) - 5/10 - Put himself about and kept the opposition backline busy all game. Won both penalties but it was more a case of lazy Wolves defending than great movement. When his big chance came in the first half he fluffed his lines.

Kamil Grosicki (LW) - 4/10 - Afforded his chance with Grady Diangana sidelined, but did very little to trouble Sam Allardyce when he next comes to pick a starting XI. Virtually anonymous, just ran around doing very little all game.

8. Substitutes

Hal Robson-Kanu (ST) - 5/10

Darnell Furlong (RB) - 6/10