Albion surely exceeded pre-game expectations as they scored four times and beat Tottenham.

But emotions were confused by two late Spurs goals and a nervous finale.

As a collective, they cleverly adapted their gameplan to suit the personnel available.

This is how they rated as individuals.

Jason Steele 7/10

Changed his game in terms of using the ball to good effect. Made a good block from Udogie early in the second half.

Jan Paul van Hecke 8/10

Was entrusted with the role of chasing Kulusevski around the park, which took him out of his comfort zone but worked well. Came up with an important block on Udogie and that goal from a set-piece is getting closer.

Lewis Dunk 6/10

It was all going so well until late on, when his error led to a goal and a costly yellow card and he was then beaten in the air for Spurs’ second goal. But some decent work before that in the revised gameplan.

Igor Julio 7/10

Gives Albion a lot in his own right and also allows them to play a certain way. Got back well to make an important block on Johnson and the hope will be his injury is minor.

Jack Hinshelwood 8/10

Thumped home an emphatic finish for the important breakthrough and offered plenty with his movement, discipline and touch.

Pascal Gross 8/10

This is why he is regarded as under-rated. We can all count his goal and assists but in the way he covered for others and got in the right areas while others played more eye-catching roles. No assists (van Hecke might have given him one), no Cruyff turns (from memory) but a key role in a plan which worked.

Billy Gilmour 8/10

All action again and it always feels like he will keep the ball and get things moving.

James Milner 8/10

No doubt he has a great presence on a daily basis but it has always felt like there could be more to the serial winner than filling in at full-back or going on late in wins. He looked like he enjoyed his role wide in midfield and there were times when he read the game quicker than others and stepped in to put out fires A goal with his curler which hit the post would have been fitting reward.

Facundo Buonanotte 7/10

Another important, combative performance with and without the ball. Has made real progress with more to come. The next steps will include cutting out needless yellow cards.

Danny Welbeck 8/10

To say he leads the attack does not really do it justice. He also dropped into wider and deeper areas and linked up play. Denied by a couple of saves, one better than the other when he should arguably have scored, and was part of an Albion front unit who had too much energy and invention for their opponents.

Joao Pedro 9/10

Used wider and deeper at times and it worked well. Was a threat to spurs coming in from the left and committed up to five defenders before releasing Hinshelwood for the opener. Was assured as ever from the penalty spot but there remains room for improvement in his finishing in open play.

SUBS - Pervis Estupinan 8/10

The high mark is obviously for, in the main, one of best goals of its kind ever seen at the Amex. Not exactly watertight at the back but he made an important block during the late Spurs onslaught.

Carlos Baleba 5/10

De Zerbi placed a lot of trust in him but he looked a bit lost in the hectic later stages and it is somewhat surprising he did not end the match with a yellow card.

Jakub Moder 6/10

Of the subs who went on during the second half he probably did the best job in helping protect the lead having had a part in the penalty for 4-0.

Evan Ferguson 5.5/10

Was bundled over for the second penalty but did not stretch the game or retain possession as Albion allowed Tottenham to keep coming at them late on.

Adam Lallana N/A

Sent on for experience, know-how and a calm head as things got frantic.