West Bromwich Albion’s miserable run of form in the Championship continued after they were beaten 2-1 by Cardiff City in the Welsh capital.
Goals from Callum Paterson and Lee Tomlin were enough to get the Bluebirds over the line while Charlie Austin converted from the penalty spot.
Slaven Bilic made numerous changes once again with Kyle Bartley, Nathan Ferguson, Romaine Sawyers, Jake Livermore and Hal Robson-Kanu all being reinstated.
In what was a drab first half, the hosts had the first chance, Nathan Ferguson’s mistake allowed Robert Glatzel through on goal but he sent it straight in to the hands of Sam Johnstone.
After that, Jake Livermore sliced wide from the edge of the box with the Baggies having more of the ball.
In the second half, Albion shot themselves in the foot in the opening 40 seconds. Dara O’Shea’s loose ball went out for a Cardiff throw and then it was put into the mix by Will Vaulks. Kyle Bartley failed to deal with it which allowed Sean Morrison to strike at goal and Johnstone failed to hold on to the shot, which meant that Callum Paterson was there to tap the ball in to net to give the Baggies a nightmare start.
Shortly after though, Albion won themselves a penalty. A mazy run from Filip Krovinovic took him in to the penalty area and he was hacked down by Jazz Richards.
Charlie Austin then cooly sent Smithies the wrong way to draw Albion back on level terms for his ninth goal of the season.
However, the Baggies once again pathetically gave away another cheap goal. A mess of failing to clear the ball led to Matt Phillips fouling Lee Tomlin just outside the penalty area.
Tomlin then beautifully curled the free kick in to far corner of the net to put Cardiff back in front.
Slaven Bilic’s men had a brilliant chance to tie up the game again at the end as Matt Phillips’s cross fell to former Cardiff striker Kenneth Zohore and he struck at goal, only to be denied by the right hand of Cardiff goalkeeper Smithies.
This poor result means Albion are knocked off top spot in the Championship and are now winless in their last seven league games.
Here’s how we rated the WBA players in the 2-1 defeat:
Sam Johnstone - 5
Made a couple of comfortable saves in the first half denying Glatzel and Vaulks. Should have done better from Morrison’s effort which led to Paterson scoring but could not do anything about Tomlin’s fantastic free kick.
Dara O'Shea - 4
Blazed over in the first half which was a great opportunity. Had a nightmare beginning to the second half gifting Cardiff a throw with a misplaced pass that led to their first goal. Put over a few crosses that weren’t up to par.
Kyle Bartley - 4
Was a nightmare night for Bartley. Firstly, making a terrible challenge on the edge of the box for Vaulks’s free-kick that he hit straight at Johnstone in the first half and then failing to deal with the throw for their first goal which led to Morrison getting a strike at goal.
Ahmed Hegazi - 4
Likewise, Hegazi wasn’t at his best either. Was uncomfortable playing the ball out from the back and constantly gave away the ball. Doesn’t link up well with Bartley at all.
Nathan Ferguson - 4
On his return to the side, Ferguson was abject. Lost the ball on numerous occasions and looked lost at the left back position. Is the transfer speculation getting to his head?
Jake Livermore - 5
Livermore was the one trying to drive Albion on to get something out of this game. He showed the most fight in his bullish challenges but ultimately he had no quality when going forward. Passes were overhit too much to get the Baggies forwards in.
Romaine Sawyers - 4
Sawyers once again was well below his best. Looked slow on the ball and gave it away a couple times in dangerous areas. Needs to start attacking more as his job as defensive midfielder at the moment is not working.
Filip Krovinovic - 6
My Man of the Match. Krovinovic was the best of a poor bunch last night. Was carrying the ball brilliantly in the first half to set up some chances. Missed two great opportunities in the second, hitting over the bar and flashing just wide. Had the endeavour to win the penalty, which got Albion back in the game momentarily.
Kyle Edwards - 4
Had some space up the left flank but final ball let him down dreadfully which was the story of Albion’s night.
Matt Phillips - 4
Was shocking in the first half but livened up in the second where he put some very good crosses over for Krovinovic and Zohore, who fluffed their lines. Was at fault for a clumsy foul on Tomlin late on though which turned in to their winning goal.
Hal Robson-Kanu - 4
Was useless up front on his own. Got bullied multiple times by the Cardiff centre backs, and could not hold the ball up to get the Baggies moving. Was subbed off early on in the second half.
Charlie Austin - 6 (subbed on 59')
Austin came on and with his first touch slotted the penalty away with ease. Didn’t get too much of the ball after that to make a difference though.
Kenneth Zohore - 4 (subbed on 59')
Missed a a glorious chance at the end to grab Albion a point being denied by Smithies. Didn’t have a real presence up front and was another one unable to test the Cardiff centre-backs with his physicality.
Darnell Furlong - 5 (subbed on 77')
Came on for the final thirteen minutes but hardly got a touch on the ball.