Fans fume at Semi Ajayi after Man City thrashing
West Bromwich Albion lost 5-0 at home to Manchester City on Tuesday night and Semi Ajayi was one of the players criticised for his performance.
The 27-year-old was dribbled past twice, was caught flat-footed for two of the five goals and didn’t win a header all night.
For City’s first goal, Ajayi allowed Ilkay Gundogan to bring down a long ball through the middle and then finish to the net without a challenge. For their third goal, the 27-year-old was guilty of leaving a sizeable gap for Gundogan to dribble into before scoring City’s third goal.
Against the Sky Blues, Ajayi completed just 15 of his 24 passes, failed to win an aerial duel, won three tackles, made one clearance and one block, whipped in one cross and had one shot (WhoScored).
The 27-year-old has made 20 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring three goals. Ajayi has put in some good performances for West Brom, but he has also been part of a defence which has conceded 48 goals in 20 Premier League games, shipping 13 goals in January alone.
Sam Allardyce has Kyle Bartley and Branislav Ivanovic who can come in at centre-back. However, the former came off the bench on Tuesday night and was beaten to the ball by Raheem Sterling for City’s fifth goal while the Serbian has underperformed in the past.
Therefore, Ajayi might keep his spot by default, but he wasn’t spared an online caning from these West Brom fans on Twitter over his “awful” performance last night:
Sawyers and Ajayi should stop playing football, dreadful awful players.
— Saul Sanders (@SaulSanders8) January 26, 2021
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.. Ajayi really is found wanting at this level. O’Shea too. #wba
— Jake (@jakedf96) January 26, 2021
Ajayi simply isn't good enough #wba
— Laurie Lythgoe (@LawReeBabes) January 26, 2021
As much as I like Ajayi, he is at fault for a lot of our goals #wba
— AshTurner (@AshTurnerDJ) January 26, 2021
Awful defending by Ajayi AGAIN. Yes he scores at set pieces but he honestly cannot defend. When on earth will be bring a proper centre half into the club? #WBA
— Mark Abel (@MarkAbel_28) January 26, 2021
Id rather have Bartley than Ajayi at this point that kid is awful at defending. But remember Mcauley and Olsson were nothing special both of them had no prem success
— Paul Brown (@Spenglar) January 26, 2021