West Brom remain winless after seven matches in the Premier League having crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Fulham on Monday evening.

Slaven Bilic’s side were downed by two first-half goals, scored within four minutes of each other, as they dropped into the relegation zone.

The Croatian kept faith with the XI that drew to Brighton a week earlier, though before the hour mark he made some interesting changes with Matheus Pereira and skipper Jake Livermore being withdrawn.

It was the second successive match in which the 30-year-old was hauled off early – a surprise given he had played the full 90 in each of their previous five outings.

Perhaps Bilic’s patience is wearing thin as his main man simply isn’t performing.

And he ought to be careful as the was one shining light at Craven Cottage displayed his credentials with an industrious and energetic display.

Conor Gallagher recorded a whopping nine tackles, two clearances, two dribbles, one key pass and won four free-kicks, via SofaScore.

The Chelsea loan star, valued at €20m (£18m), also engaged in 27 duels and made 26 passes – no other midfielder or attacker managed to better his 7.2 rating either.

He was absolutely everywhere in midfield, it’s no wonder his box-to-box abilities were once compared to his parent boss, Frank Lampard.

“The one thing he has got is a fantastic engine, much like Lee Bowyer or Frank Lampard – it’s amazing, the resemblances between those two in their younger years particularly.

“He’s a classic No 8; he has an unbelievable energy, he does the ugly side of the game, but you have to let him off the leash and let him get forward.”

Keith Andrews on Conor Gallagher.

Gallagher was one of just two players who earned praise from Bilic post-game, he said: “I saw a young kid – Conor Gallagher, and I saw Barni Ivanovic – who is 30 something – who basically had more commitment.”

It’s rather telling that Livermore has been hauled off early twice now. He isn’t allowed as much time on the ball as he would be in the Championship, particularly against teams with a high-press like Fulham.

Whilst it’s too early to tell, maybe it could be the beginning of the end for the veteran midfielder. There’s a reason he’s been plying his trade in the second tier in recent seasons.

Bilic could continue to look to Gallagher’s exuberance and energy in midfield going forward. The former Charlton “jewel” was certainly a rare positive on Monday night.

AND in other news, Bilic must rue WBA not signing £5m bargain in speed demon who “terrifies defenders”…