Roberto De Zerbi admits he can never substitute his Japan star – even on a quiet day.

Kaoru Mitoma headed the late winner as Albion beat Bournemouth 1-0.

The Cherries did a decent job of keeping Mitoma quiet for much of the afternoon.

But he finished the game very strongly and soared to meet Jeremy Sarmiento’s cross for the breakthrough.

Head coach De Zerbi said: “Mitoma didn’t play the best game of his life but he can always score.

“I can never substitute him because I felt during the game he could score.”

De Zerbi sent on South American youngsters Sarmiento, Facundo Buonanotte and Julio Enciso in pursuit of the win.

He said: “I am really happy. I think it was a very difficult game but we knew this week the difficulty of the game.

“I think it was one of the best games of my time in terms of quality of play, number of shots, attitude to find the win.

“We played a lot of young players and for us it was very important – Enciso, Buonanotte, Sarmiento, Lamptey, Bill Gilmour, Undav.

“There wasn’t Mac Allister, Lallana, Colwill, Ferguson – Moises Caicedo in the first half.

“So it was a very difficult game and to win is very important.

“We deserved to win – absolutely.”