Analysis: Work still to do for West Brom but plenty of positives from entertaining victory

Beforehand, Darren Moore admitted that regardless of how much his team was a work in progress, it still needed to pick up points along the way.

And while there are still plenty of question marks hanging over certain elements of the side, this first victory of the season has given the start a completely different complexion.

Instead of sitting on one point from two games at the wrong end of the table, the Baggies have now bounced back from opening day disappointment with four points from two away games.

Not just any two away games either, but tough trips to sides hosting their first home matches of the season in front of boisterous crowds brimming with anticipation.

Norwich had a whole week to prepare for this fixture, whereas Albion had to recover from a sapping midweek trip to Nottingham Forest, which might explain why the hosts came out of the blocks much faster.

The Canaries were the better side in the first half, as Daniel Farke's 4-1-4-1 formation overwhelmed Albion's 4-4-2 in midfield.

Nobody was picking up Alex Tettey to start with, and frustrations were growing for the visitors.

At one point it looked like the men in blue and black were going to get beaten black and blue.

Chris Brunt and Jake Livermore's struggles in central midfield were epitomised by the penalty conceded, which the former gave away after the latter lost possession on the half-way line.

That midfield axis improved greatly after the break, and needs help against three-man midfields.

The truth is though, had Sam Johnstone not been in inspired form, this might have finished 5-4 instead of 3-4.

As well as saving a penalty, Albion's keeper made a string of important saves, none better than his low clawing hand to deny Jordan Rhodes after sluggish defending Ahmed Hegazi and Kyle Bartley.

Albion's backline still needs work. The two towering centre-backs have not yet clicked, perhaps because they are too similar. The sooner Craig Dawson's head is ready to be reintegrated into proceedings, the better.

It was also an Allan Nyom mistake that unnecessarily let Norwich back into the game at 3-1.

But the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Albion's front quartet has the potential of being one of the most exciting and entertaining in the league, and Moore is not afraid to use it.

He is more adventurous than some of his predecessors.

At times he was happy to leave Matt Phillips, Dwight Gayle, Jay Rodriguez and Harvey Barnes all high up the pitch.

That may need to be tweaked because it is partly why Brunt and Livermore are left outnumbered.

But those attacking players are ones that get the pulses racing, and suggest the Baggies could be a contender this season.

Phillips has started the season superbly, and Barnes has now scored two goals from outside the box in three games, one with either foot,

Gayle may not have scored here, but Albion have found the net five times in the 120 minutes he's been on the pitch and he was making the sort of runs that will eventually be found.

His industry won the ball back for Rodriguez's second; and his technique won the penalty in the first place.

Had Phillips made the right choice in a three-on-two counter attack he would also have a goal to his name, but it seems like just a matter of time.

However, it was Rodriguez's performance, two days after the window shut and his desired move to Burnley did not materialise, that was the most encouraging.

What an example he set to others at Carrow Road. Instead of spitting out his dummy, he was pulling them off to set up goals.

He bagged two himself, celebrated passionately, and then, when Albion needed to see the game out, he moved back to left-wing and helped out Conor Townsend.

The young full-back's assured debut off the bench was another positive. Kieran Gibbs has more than just an understudy, he has competition.

This was a big win for a number of reasons.

It may not have answered all the questions, but it has restored faith in Moore, now those victories at the end of last season have faded from both memory and relevance.

His substitutes paid off. Hal Robson-Kanu scored an important goal, Norwich didn't find an equaliser after James Morrison came on, and Townsend – although it was enforced – looked bright.

Yes, the team still needs to start stronger, defend better, and find a way of helping Brunt and Livermore out against three-men midfields.

It may be worth looking at Sam Field, Rekeem Harper or Gareth Barry against Luton tomorrow.

Because Albion are by no means the finished article, there is still plenty of tinkering to be done, and they're going to need their squad in this long season.

But scoring four goals away from home is a rare joy. It's the first time the Baggies have done it for nearly six years, even though they were given a helping hand from Tim Krul.

Most importantly though, this game hinted at two possibilities.

Firstly, that Albion may be able to challenge for the top spots, and secondly, that this season could end up being refreshingly fun.

And when you spend £35 for a ticket and make a seven-hour round trip, that is just as important as being competitive.