Match Reports

Albion 2-1 Norwich City

An image of Darnell Furlong, Conor Townsend, Jed Wallace and Brandon Thomas-Asante celebrating a goal

Albion came from behind to earn an excellent 2-1 win against Norwich City on Saturday evening.

Josh Sargent struck first for the Canaries, yet goals from captain Conor Townsend and Jed Wallace either side of half-time earned Carlos Corberán’s men all three Sky Bet Championship points.

The result means the Baggies head to Swansea City on the final day two points off the top six and still in the Play-Off mix.

The boss made just one change to his XI for Norwich’s visit as John Swift replaced Taylor Gardner-Hickman.

There was a frantic start in B71, with both sides wasting excellent early opportunities. First it was City’s Sargent, who fired a finish narrowly wide from inside the area, and then Albion’s Brandon Thomas-Asante had an effort saved by Angus Gunn when John Swift played him through.

The Baggies dominated much of the half, Jed Wallace firing wide and Semi Ajayi seeing a powerful header stopped during a particularly promising period.

Jayson Molumby’s low attempt was also bravely blocked in the midst of a dominant spell, but – against the run of play – Norwich took the lead on 41-minutes via Josh Sargent’s strike.

However, the Baggies fought back to ensure they were level at the break thanks to Townsend’s fantastic free-kick, giving The Hawthorns hope going into the second 45.

And that hope turned to celebration 11 minutes after the interval. Brilliant Thomas-Asante work won possession and gave Townsend the chance to set-up Wallace – the winger making no mistake.

Albion continued pushing for a third without creating too many chances, Thomas-Asante’s ambitious halfway line chip, which ended up on the roof-netting, the closest they came to another.

Eventually the Baggies decided to shut-up shop, though, and see out the victory – which Corberán’s team did comfortably despite five minutes stoppage time, in which Jake Livermore was brought on to an emotional standing ovation.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Ajayi, Pieters, Townsend; Molumby, Yokuslu (Gardner-Hickman 76); Wallace (Livermore 90), Swift (Bartley 85), Grant (Albrighton 76); Thomas-Asante.

Substitutes: Griffiths, Malcolm, Faal.

Attendance: 24,638