West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Norwich City
By Jemma Tappenden
October 28 2007
Tony Mowbray made only one change to the starting eleven which over came Blackpool at the Hawthorns midweek, recalling Koren in place of Teixeira. But could the Baggies make it 19 points out of a possible 21 at the Hawthorns this season by sweeping aside a Norwich side who have suffered seven losses in their last eight games?
It looked set to be a long afternoon for a deflated Canaries side from the off, as Albion pressed immediately from the kick off. Skipper Jonathan Greening had the Norwich defence quivering in their boots within the first few minutes, breaking with the ball before seeing off two Norwich defenders in the box. His shot however was blocked successfully by Ian Murray, although Canaries fans held their breath as the rebound fell nicely for Ishmael Miller just some 15 yards off the target. This time Spillane provided the block and the ball rolled our for a corner kick. Brunt’s corner picked out Albrechtsen at the back post although Canaries keeper Marshall was on call to collect.
Minutes later James Morrison sent Miller clear on goal, who ignoring a free Kevin Phillips took a shot himself only to fore horribly wide. Another do or die block from the already tiring Norwich defence prevented yet another Albion chance when Miller struck goal bound with a header from a Morrison corner. Soon after Phillips tried his luck with a 30 yard strike which called City keeper Marshall back into action, who produced a fine save to deny the Baggies leading scorer the first goal of the game.
Albion might have scored from the resulting corner, Greening providing yet another perfectly measured cross to find Albrechtsen who could only look on as his chance hit the side netting. There was no shortage of chances for Albion in the opening to this game, and when the goal finally came in the 16th minute it came as no surprise to either camp.
Bostjan Cesar flicked on a Greening corner into the path of Ishmael Miller who headed home to give the Baggies a 1-0 lead and collect his third goal in as many games. There was to be no rest for Norwich as Albion piled on the pressure for their second. I
t was one way traffic for pretty much the entire half, Baggies keeper Dean Kiely not called into action until the 35th minute when a clearance caught Jamie Cureton. Luckily, unaware of the chance the ball came harmlessly from Cureton back into the box where Kiely could collect with ease. Brunt and Phillips came close for Albion before the break, but the half finished with just the one goal, Norwich leaving it until the first minute of injury time to record their first shot on goal.
Half Time: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Norwich City
If Norwich hoped for or expected a slightly warn out Baggies side for the second half they were to be disappointed. Albion picked up exactly where they left off, on the attack. Phillips came close from a Hoefkens cross, but the experienced striker almost certainly hesitated a second too long before pulling the trigger, allowing Murray to collect.
There was a brief moment of panic amongst the Baggies defence when Huckerby latched on to a Cureton cross, but his shot was well wide from 20 yards. Despite the brief reprieve for Norwich just 6 minutes into the second half Albion doubled their lead. Miller broke down the left flank and picked out an unmarked Kevin Phillips who headed into an empty net. Albion might have and should have had three, Lappin clearing a Miller chance off the line.
West Brom continued to press, but midway through the half Norwich enjoyed what was easily their best spell of the game. Huckerby paced the length of the field to pick out Chris Martin. But Martin who released a dangerous shot from 15 yards was denied by Kiely. Confusion in the Albion defence might have been more serious as they failed to deal with the resulting corner. But Jimmy Smith was unable to put any power into his header from a Lappin cross, and the ball drifted harmlessly wide.
Phillips might have scored his second and Albion’s third in the 73rd minute, Sub Teixeira finding him with a throughball, but the ex Sunderland man was denied by Marshall once again. The remainder of the game petered away with little action. Albion might have had a hatful of goals in either half, but in the end the two they scored was always going to be enough to overcome a struggling Norwich side that look very much to be in a lot of trouble at the foot of the Championship table. This result leaves the Canaries 4 points adrift of safety and 3 points even behind second from bottom side QPR. Albion replace Wolves in 3rd position, who fell foul of Norwich City’s East Anglian rivals Ipswich Town 3-0 at Portman Road.
Full Time: West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Norwich City
Miller (16)
Phillips (51)
Attendance: 20,247