Albion opened the 2025/26 Sky Bet Championship campaign with a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
Isaac Price’s early effort was enough to give Ryan Mason a first-day win. Next up, his side host Derby County in the Carabao Cup this Tuesday.
The hosts made a quick start and were ahead within 15 minutes. Darnell Furlong’s trademark long throw caused chaos inside the box - and Price was there to take advantage by side-footing home.
There were further chances around the half-hour mark for the Baggies, too, but Aune Heggebø had an effort well saved and Price saw another blocked.
Rovers put some pressure on before the break, with Josh Griffiths notably stopping Yuki Ohashi’s shot, however it remained 1-0 at half-time.
Despite Valerien Ismael’s visitors asserting pressure throughout the second period, Albion created the better opportunities and went close a few times.
Price threatened again when his run and finish was stopped, while Callum Styles and Jayson Molumby both fired narrowly over.
Ultimately, the Baggies saw out a testing final period, despite Darnell Furlong’s red card, to claim three points and begin the new campaign positively.
Albion: Griffiths, Furlong, Phillips, Heggem, Styles, Molumby, Mowatt, Fellows (Wallace 72), Price (Diakite 80), Grant (Campbell 89), Heggebø.
Substitutes: Wildsmith, Taylor, Deeming, Johnston, Cole, Maja.