Lewis Cox analysis: West Brom battle to get their season up and running

Or, make that half-an-hour if including the nine minutes of stoppage time too as, by which, visitors Swansea had struck two quick-fire goals – both from sloppy set-pieces – to reduce Albion’s lead to a single goal when Corberan’s men should have been home and dry.

Attacking set-pieces the hosts looked in the mood and a threat from almost every delivery – or long throw-in – into the opposition box.

But defending dead balls, especially late on with giant Swans defender Harry Darling peerless, left much to be desired.

Swansea pushed but the hosts dug in with some grit and determination and were good value for their win.

A first Championship victory of the season may not have come as easily as it once appeared, but it was crucial and deserved nonetheless.

Baggies fans should have been able to enjoy their Saturday evening and weekend after a long wait to return home.

They should not let the finale detract from their side scoring three goals against a decent outfit in what was, more or less, 70 minutes of dominance against opposition that will fancy themselves to push on this season.

Corberan’s Albion, with the heat cranked up a setting or two more after back-to-back opening defeats on the road in league and cup, were well deserved of a half-time lead through the excellent Semi Ajayi.

An own goal off Swans keeper Carl Rushworth and John Swift’s penalty had some thinking ‘job done’ just after the hour in what eventually became a game of five set-piece goals.

It didn’t quite play out that way and plenty Baggies-related, Corberan included, were made to “suffer” late on, as the head coach himself said.

There was still time, though, to toast an important victory.

It is a cliché but that first victory of the season is so important.

To breathe life, momentum, optimism and confidence into a campaign, both within the walls of the dressing room and the stands.

With each game that passes, the task becomes tougher.

Last season took until league game number five for that first victory. Cracks and flaws had already started to appear.

The bigger problem, though, under Steve Bruce was the subsequent run of no wins in eight that cost the former boss his job and saw Corberan arrive to find a club in the drop zone.

To secure that first victory at the first time of asking in front of a good home attendance was a welcome bonus, too.

Albion under Corberan have been nothing short of sensational at The Hawthorns. It is on the road where records need improving.

One of the main positives Albion can take from the victory is, even without the only previously recognised striker available to start Brandon Thomas-Asante, the side gave a controlled and dominant display, for the most part.

Corberan kept to the formation from last week’s EFL Cup exit at Stoke and stuck to a back three in a 3-4-3 system.

Without the injured Thomas-Asante, with Josh Maja not yet ready to start, Matt Phillips had to play the makeshift striker role.

The system worked. Even though Swansea might have had the upper hand in numbers in midfield, Albion’s duo of Okay Yokuslu and Jayson Molumby had a good handle on that particular battle. Indeed the hosts lost a bit of impetus as Yokuslu was substituted off at 3-0.

Despite conceding two goals for the third time in three games this season, Albion’s defence looked for the most part as measured as it had in some time. Ajayi gave his best display since returning from injury last winter and Cedric Kipre responded from his Blackburn disaster. Erik Pieters, at 35, showed the calmness and authority that made Corberan keep him around.

Losing Thomas-Asante is a blow, especially if he isn’t ready for Leeds on Friday, with Maja unlikely to start. Both new signings Maja and Jeremy Sarmiento enjoyed a decent run-out late on, with more valuable minutes.

There is no doubt Corberan will be working to drill his Baggies on defending set-pieces. Albion simply cannot continue conceding at the rate they are. That first clean sheet is an important target.

For now, though, and having gone through the wringer late on, Baggies fans can enjoy a welcome first win and hope it is the start of a positive few months.