Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley were both praised following West Bromwich Albion’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth, but Matthew Clarke deserved the plaudits too. The 25-year-old started alongside the centre-back pair and played his part in stopping the Cherries having a shot on target for the entire game.

Clarke had conceded three goals in his last two West Brom appearances before Wednesday evening’s clash, but he kept the Championship’s second-most prolific side quiet for 90 minutes, stifling Dominic Solanke who has 24 goals and six assists in 38 league games this season.

Joseph Chapman of Birmingham Live gave Clarke a player rating of 8/10 and said he only put one foot wrong all game while being a constant presence in the air. Joe Ellis of West Brom News gave him a player rating of 5/10, however, and said he struggled with the pace of the game at times, resulting in Ajayi and Bartley covering him.

Against Bournemouth, Clarke played for 90 minutes, had 58 touches, won two aerial duels, completed 76.5% of his 34 passes, whipped in a cross, found a teammate with five of his nine long balls, made three tackles, had four interceptions, made seven clearances, blocked two shots, had one successful dribble and gave away one foul.

The 25-year-old had the most tackles, interceptions and blocked shots out of his teammates on Wednesday, so Clarke certainly contributed.

In other news, Semi Ajayi was solid for West Brom v Bournemouth