There’s a lot to be said about what constitutes a ‘perfect away performance,’ but Albion gave an ideal example of one on Saturday against Norwich City.
There were times the Baggies had to dig deep and defend outside of their comfort zone, especially in the first half at Carrow Road, while they were also capable of flying forward on the attack with plenty of poise.
And they eventually got their reward for staying patient and waiting for those opportunities to arrive, with Aune Heggebø and JJ Morgan both on the scoresheet after the 75th minute in East Anglia.
So how did James Morrison’s men execute their game plan to pick up their promising 2-1 win on the opening day of the Sky Bet Championship?
Well, the foundation of any away display starts in the back-line, and the Baggies’ defensive unit, and goalkeeper, were more than up for putting their bodies on the line to keep the Canaries at bay.
And they had to during a testing first half. Norwich went in at the break well-ahead in several metrics - including xG - where their 0.98 expected goals (xG) eclipsed the visitors’ 0.03.
Centre-back pairing George Campbell and Nat Phillips produced a series of brave blocks to prevent the hosts from opening the scoring.
Their eventual numbers had them with the highest defensive contributions out of any players on the pitch with Campbell notching 15, and Phillips 12 - the latter most notably flew to block Andre Brooks’ strike at point-blank range during the second period, while the American threw himself at Kellen Fisher's attempt in the build-up to the Baggies' second.
Of course, away from home, you’d expected to call on your goalkeeper from time-to-time too. Max O’Leary came to the rescue after just four minutes - he got down low to palm away Kenny McLean’s low strike, as the hosts’ quick interplay saw them pierce their way into the Albion penalty area.
He also smothered Pelle Mattsson’s close-range attempt from a corner, while Felix Horn Myhre nudged the recycled cross over the bar with Mohamed Touré in close proximity. The Irishman also reacted well to get himself in the way of Fisher’s darting run at goal in the second half.
Even after seven saves and 1.88 goals prevented across the 90 minutes in Norfolk, O’Leary’s output didn’t end with his goalkeeping contributions - as he also set Morgan scampering away on the counter-attack to put the visitors two goals ahead.
The shot-stopper’s Player of the Match display, along with the back-line’s stout resolve, earned the Baggies’ opportunities on the attack.
An absurdly good showing between the sticks. 🧤
You voted Max O'Leary as your Player of the Match against the Canaries! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/COxSZ8hos6— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) August 16, 2026
When they crafted something of their own in the forward areas, Morrison’s side were clinical, and showed exactly why patience was key throughout the first half as they romped towards 1.82 xG in the second ’45 - a marked improvement.
One of the key messages at halfway must’ve been to run more at the Canaries’ defence. The visitors managed nine successful dribbles in the second period compared to their two in the first.
And it’s something talisman Morgan did to tee-up Heggebø’s opener. A sumptuous passage which saw Albion move from back to front almost seamlessly, ended with the forward taking on his man and crossing to Heggebø at the far post to bundle home.
Those moments of magic did continue to filter through for the visitors, with Phillips, Isaac Price and Morgan coming close with efforts. But it took the former Chelsea youth prospect to latch onto O’Leary’s long ball, as he stuttered and started his way beyond two Norwich defenders - before burying his shot into the bottom corner.
It marked Morgan’s third across the first two competitive matches of the campaign. A fine start to life in navy-blue-and-white, and it's clear to see his touches (29 in total across the field) when cutting inside from the left-hand-side will cause defences problems in 2026/27.
Performances like Albion’s in Norwich can be the bedrock of positive campaigns in the second-tier, and Morrison will look for more of the same to inspire future away day successes.
