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‘He’s a nice, big centre-half like I was': Sam Allardyce heaps praise on West Brom's Kyle Bartley for his strong defensive performance in win against Wolves but warns Baggies cannot keep giving goals away

Ever the pragmatist, Sam Allardyce did not bask in the glory of his first West Bromwich win.

Big Sam hasn’t built his reputation as a relegation escapologist by edging 3-2 thrillers and he’ll want things to get tighter from here, starting with tomorrow’s visit to former club West Ham.

It is all very well creating chances, and West Brom had 12 shots in an unexpectedly open Black Country derby, but significantly Allardyce reserved his highest praise for defender Kyle Bartley, who frequently put his body on the line.

Sam Allardyce praised his 'big centre half' Kyle Bartley for his performance against Wolves
Bartley (centre) put his body on the line and did 'the right things' well, according to Allardyce

MATCH FACTS AND PLAYER RATINGS

Wolves (4-3-3): Rui Patricio 6: Semedo 6, Coady 5.