West Bromwich Albion begin their 2024-25 Championship campaign with a trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich City. The match, which kicks off at 12:30 PM BST, marks the start of the new season for both clubs, and the Baggies will be looking to make an early statement under head coach Carlos Corberán.
Team News and Lineups
Corberán has made a number of changes to his starting XI from the side that finished last season. New signings include goalkeeper Alex Palmer, who starts in goal, and defender Torbjørn Heggem, who makes his debut at left-back. Captain Jed Wallace leads the team, while Josh Maja and John Swift are named among the substitutes.
Norwich City, managed by Johannes Hoff Thorup, also field a new-look side with several summer arrivals. The Canaries have brought in defender Ben Chrisene and midfielder Anis Ben Slimane, both of whom start. Experienced striker Ashley Barnes is on the bench.
First Half Action
The match began at a lively pace, with both teams creating early chances. West Brom's first real opportunity came in the 15th minute when Tom Fellows cut inside from the right and forced a save from Norwich goalkeeper Angus Gunn. The home side responded with a header from Shane Duffy that went just over the bar.
The deadlock was broken in the 33rd minute. A well-worked move down the left flank saw Alex Mowatt deliver a low cross into the box, where Karlan Grant was on hand to slot the ball past Gunn. The goal gave the Baggies a deserved lead, and they maintained their advantage going into the break.
Second Half and Key Moments
Norwich came out stronger after the interval, pushing for an equalizer. In the 58th minute, substitute Josh Sargent had a goal disallowed for offside after a VAR review. West Brom then had a chance to double their lead when Jed Wallace was brought down in the box, but the penalty appeal was waved away by referee John Brooks.
As the game entered its final stages, Norwich piled on the pressure. In the 84th minute, a corner from Ben Slimane was met by Shane Duffy, whose header was cleared off the line by Semi Ajayi. The Baggies held on for a crucial three points, securing a 1-0 victory in their opening fixture.
Post-Match Reaction and What's Next
Speaking after the match, Carlos Corberán expressed his satisfaction with the performance, saying, "It was a very competitive game. We knew it would be tough, but the players showed great character and commitment. We created chances and defended well when we needed to."
West Brom will now look to build on this positive start when they host Leeds United at The Hawthorns next Saturday. Norwich City, meanwhile, will be eager to bounce back when they travel to Middlesbrough.
