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Norwich 3 Albion 0 - Report and pictures

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A barely recognisable West Brom were deservedly dumped out of the League Cup in the third round by Premier League rivals Norwich.

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Former Wolves winger Matt Jarvis opened the scoring after the break, although the Baggies improved towards the final whistle.

Despite that, two goals in the final five minutes put the hopes of one domestic cup to bed for another season.

Boss Tony Pulis warned travelling Albion supporters to expect changes, but few would have predicted 10 new faces from the team that beat Villa on Saturday - Craig Dawson the only survivor.

Stephane Sessegnon, without any competitive action since April, was handed a start.

There was also a call-up for outcasts Sebastien Pocognoli, Cristian Gamboa and Victor Anichebe, who began in a defensive midfield role.

But an unsettled Baggies team struggled for any rhythm and the hosts, themselves making eight changes from at Liverpool on Saturday, looked far the more fluent in the opening exchanges.

Stephane Sessegnon of West Bromwich Albion cuts between Gary O'Neil and Graham Dorrans of Norwich City.

Albion: Lindegaard; Chester, Dawson, J Olsson (c); Gamboa, Pocognoli, Gardner, Sessegnon (Leko 75), Gnabry (McManaman 68); Lambert, Anichebe (McClean 75).

Unused subs: Rose (gk), Ward, edwards, Donnellan.

Norwich: Rudd; Wisdom, Bassong, E Bennett, M Olsson; Dorrans (Howson 45), O'Neil (c), R Bennett, Jarvis; Mbokani (Lafferty 75), Grabban (Hoolahan 58).

Unused subs: Kean (gk), Whittaker, Toffolo, Redmond

Referee: Craig Pawson

Attendance: 19,015[/breakout]

Martin Olsson, who was so close to a Hawthorns move at the start of the year, returned from injury to forge a fierce left-side combination with former Wolves man Matt Jarvis.

James Chester, staring at right-back again for Pulis' side, struggled to deal get to grips with the pair and Jarvis' cross was nodded home by Elliott Bennett early on.

Dieumerci Mbokani, the hosts' new loan signing from Dynamo Kiev, made his first start and sold makeshift midfielder Anichebe a dummy before skewing horribly wide.

Lewis Grabban stung the palms of debutant Anders Lindegaard as Albion were under the cosh.

Norwich went closest yet just after the half hour mark, Mbokani laid the ball back for skipper Gary O'Neil, whose 25 yard strike flicked off Dawson and cannoned Lindegaard's post.

The rebound fell very kindly to Bennett who inexplicably slotted wide from six yards, without the comfort of the assistant's flag to spare his blushes.

Albion's attacking fortunes were rather summed up as Serge Gnabry was easily brushed off the ball following a Craig Gardner chipped ball.

Before Pocognoli made terrific ground down the left side, riding three challenges, but faltered at the final hurdle as his cross towards Rickie Lambert lacked power.

Chester did not last much longer in his right-back spot and was swapped with Gamboa who was better suited to Jarvis' pace.

Albion made a much brighter start to the second period, Gamboa whipped in a delicious early ball that almost met Lambert's head.

The visitor's first shot of the game saw Gardner fire in a left-footed strike from 30 yards that flew inches beyond goalkeeper Declan Rudd's post.

As the Norfolk side looked to regain a foothold, Olsson again delivery a ferocious cross, just inches away from the approaching Bennett.

On the hour mark they were handed a reward for their overall dominance.

Mbokani slipped in Jarvis on the left side of the penalty area and the former Wolves wide man hammered a finish in at Lindegaard's near-post via the crossbar.

The television replays insisted on a 'goal decision' replay but the ball had clearly bounced a foot over the Danish goalkeeper's line.

Albion almost hit back instantly as Pocognoli's inviting cross skimmed the head of the onrushing Gardner, who had flung himself forward in an attempt to make a connection.

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In a slightly more advanced role, Anichebe looked to feed Lambert, who had been starved of service all night.

The Nigerian's ball was inviting - but the sluggish forward reacted far too slowly and the Norwich defence mopped up.

Mbokani, who looked tidy on his first start, should have added a second just before making way but could only smash well over from an angle after poor Albion marking at a corner.

But Pulis' men were not done and had their clearest opening when Lambert played McClean through beyond Norwich's high line.

The sub beared down on Rudd's goal but before he could pull the trigger, out came Ryan Bennett from nowhere with a sensational challenge.

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With the visitors spurred on, Gardner teed up Lambert from distance, his powerful strike drew a top save by the sprawling Rudd.

Dawson was inches away from connecting to the resulting Pocognoli corner with the Norwich defence coming under scrutiny.

With five minutes remaining and somewhat against the run of play, Albion were put out of their misery.

Skipper O'Neil found sub Kyle Lafferty with a fine ball and the Northern Ireland international finished in some style.

The hosts put some gloss on the night as Jarvis, who had caused problems all night, struck a low cross that was turned beyond his own goalkeeper by Pocognoli.

Albion limped over the line, with the final whistle denying any further damage, it was a night that the squad's outsiders did very little to persuade the head coach they merited much more.