Match Reports

Albion 1-0 Norwich City

An image of Brandon Thomas-Asante celebrating with his teammates

Albion earned an important 1-0 win over Norwich City at The Hawthorns on Boxing Day.

A sell-out crowd watched the Baggies grab all three Sky Bet Championship points thanks to Brandon Thomas-Asante’s second-half goal.

Carlos Corberán’s men return home in just a few days, hosting fellow top-six side Leeds United this Friday (ko 8.15pm).

The boss made one switch after the Middlesbrough defeat, replacing Jeremy Sarmiento with John Swift.

His team created a number of good chances during a goalless first 45, going closest when Swift struck the post following a fantastic cross by the ever-dangerous Baggies captain Jed Wallace.

Norwich did threaten Albion’s goal a few times, Borja Sainz’s long-ranger having to be well-saved and Shane Duffy’s header going narrowly over.

But they were also reduced to 10-men as Sainz was shown two quick yellow cards - leaving the visitors a player down come the break.
 

Albion managed to find the breakthrough just five minutes into the second period - Grady Diangana knocking Wallace’s ball back, and Thomas-Asante poking home his eighth of the season.

The Baggies went searching for another, Diangana side-footing off-target, Cedric Kipre seeing an attempt bravely blocked and Furlong diverting wide.

They were indebted to Alex Palmer 13 minutes from time, though, with the goalkeeper pulling off a wonderful save and denying substitute Ui-Jo Hwang an equaliser.

And that proved to be decisive - Albion seeing the game out to claim the victory and stay fifth in the table ahead of Leeds’ visit.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Bartley (Ajayi 61), Kipre, Townsend; Yokuslu, Mowatt (Chalobah 87); Wallace (Sarmiento 87), Swift (Fellows 75), Diangana (Molumby 87); Thomas-Asante.

Substitutes: Griffiths, Taylor, Pieters, Chalobah, Molumby, Reach, Sarmiento.

Attendance: 25,086 (992).