Debutant goalkeeper David Button caught Slaven Bilic’s eye during West Bromwich Albion’s 3-0 Carabao Cup second round victory over Harrogate Town, as he told the Birmingham Mail.
The Baggies never really got out of second gear at The Hawthorns on Wednesday, with a couple of Premier League quality finishes making the difference against an opponent who were only promoted to the fourth-tier in August.
Rakeem Harper made the most of a rare start with a searing early strike before Hal Robson-Kane repeated the trick, curling a 25-yard effort into the top corner.
Wing wonder Kyle Edwards then channelled his inner-Eden Hazard to serve up the easiest of tap-ins for a grateful Callum Robinson. But it was a man at the other end of the pitch who earned Bilic’s praise at full-time.
Safe and solid if not spectacular, Button could hardly have enjoyed a better debut between the sticks.
“The keeper, I knew that he was very good on the ball because we did our homework before we got him. I was very impressed with his calmness and with the way he passed the ball,” the Baggies boss said of Button, who marked his first appearance with a fine reflex save and a couple of commanding punches.
“He has got that balance between passing the ball and not putting the players in risk situations – so very good.”
Button certainly made the most of an opportunity to put pressure on regular number one Sam Johnstone.
Yet anyone who tuned in last night will not be surprised to see the Dudley-born 22-year-old take home the Man of the Match award.
It was a scintillating display of skill, speed and thrust from the highly-rated Edwards, whose assist for Robinson’s late striker has to be seen to be believed.
Unfortunately for the England U20 speedster, he now has the £18 million club-record signing Grady Diangana competing for his place on the left-hand side.
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