Club News

Albion 1 Delhi Dynamos 0

Smith nets winner as Chadli and Nyom debut

  • Chadli and Nyom make non-competitive debuts
  • Smith steers home winner for Baggies
  • Kane Wilson plays 90 minutes
  • First-ever meeting between Premier League side and Indian Super League side
  • Matty Phillips was Albion's star man

ALBION edged past Delhi Dynamos on a momentous day for English football.

James Smith’s goal midway through the second half gave the Baggies victory in the first meeting between a Premier League team and an Indian Super League team.

In an even first half that saw few chances Matt Phillips came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 14th minute. The Albion winger's curling effort came back off the inside of the post after he cut in from the right hand side.

In what was a largely well-spirited affair, trialist Marouane Chamakh was substituted midway through the first half after a late challenge from Anas Edathodika. The Delhi midfielder was immediately replaced after a conversation with manager Gianluca Zambrotta.

The Dynamos saw their fair share of the ball and both Marcelinho and Milan Singh Ongnam should have done better after failing to test Boaz Myhill with strikes from the edge of the Albion box.

The hosts’ best chance of the first 45 minutes fell to record signing Nacer Chadli on the stroke of half time. The Belgian’s half-volley was palmed away by Antonio Doblas after Delhi had failed to clear a Craig Gardner corner.

Albion continued to press after the break and substitute ‘keeper Meitei Soram was forced into a fine save from Smith’s driven effort 10 minutes into the second half after the youngster was slipped through by the impressive Chadli.

Smith didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity, turning in Matt Phillips’ cross in the 64th minute.

Delhi rallied and Kean Francis Lewis almost equalised for the ISL side, striking the crossbar from 25 yards in the 77th minute.

But it wasn’t enough for the visitors as Albion ran out comfortable winners.

Albion: Myhill (Palmer 72), Dawson (McCourt 83), Nyom (Harper 62), Olsson (Sweeney 72), Wilson, Phillips (Bradley 76), Yacob (Fitzwater 72), Sissoko (Forss 72), Gardner (R Nabi 83), Chadli (Melbourne 62), Chamakh (Smith 26, Wilding 89).

Delhi: Doblas (Soram 45, Ghosh 84), Chakrabarti, Edathodika (Lalchhawnkima 27), Rocha (Devadas 62), Addy, Nongrum, Tebar, Ongnam, Malouda (S Nabi 72), Marcelinho, Lewis.

Unused subs: Gomes.

Referee: Robert Madeley (Yorkshire)