Norwich 1 West Brom 2: Defensively brilliant Baggies win memorably with fine double

New boy Jimmy-Jay Morgan scored and set up another as Albion earned a brilliant 2-1 opening-day Championship win at Norwich through a stunning defensive display.

James Morrison’s side defended for their lives at Carrow Road, where the hosts registered 20 shots and seven on target, with a string of Max O’Leary saves and numerous incredible Nat Phillips and George Campbell blocks.

The defensive heroics buoyed 1,800 away fans and looked like it could earn a workmanlike point - but the Baggies kicked on with two brilliant goals for three points.

Aune Heggebo turned in from close range with what looked like his chest - but with fierce Norwich complaints of handball - after Morgan’s fierce cross with 15 minutes left to stun Carrow Road and the stadium’s away end was bouncing with three minutes left as Morgan converted a stunning solo run for a cushion.

The opener was among Albion’s first efforts on target.

Home substitute Mathias Kvistgaarden pulled one back on 90 minutes but Norwich did not look like an equaliser with a brick wall Baggies defence far too strong.

It was some opener for boss Morrison, who will have been delighted with what his side showed particularly in their own defensive third.

Morrison’s line-up was bold, with the more attack-minded Felix Horn Myhre favoured to Jayson Molumby to fill the departed Alex Mowatt void.

Albion possession looked confident in the early moments, but Philippe Clement’s hosts quickly took control.

Max O’Leary was called into action after just four minutes to make a smart low save one-v-one from Kenny McLean. The Norwich skipper should have done better after a sharp move.

The Baggies keeper had to be alert to tip a bizarre Morgan swipe over his own crossbar with the Canaries on top.

Morrison’s men struggled early on as Paris Maghoma flashed across goal and new boy Andre Brooks curled wide. O’Leary then held on from Kellen Fisher but Albion soon found their feet and some of the ball.

The Baggies were workmanlike but struggled to carve open the Canaries. Heggebo dragged across goal from range before Callum Styles’ wonderful free-kick delivery gagged for a touch.

Albion looked to settle and did so, albeit the hosts forced some decent openings before the interval through dead balls.

Horn Myhre was very impressive without the ball with some key interceptions, not least to deny Jose Cordoba near the goalline after Harry Darling’s header.

The second half threatened an an end-to-end affair briefly, but Clement’s men quickly got on top. McLean fired wastefully over but Brooks went closer from halfway, as he worried O’Leary briefly after Ousmane Diakite lost it.

A glaring chance fell the way of Anis Ben Slimane from Mohamed Toure’s touch, but a sliding Phillips made one of several crucial blocks.

Phillips made yet another huge block after the hour from Brooks before O’Leary kept out Toure at the near post. Albion grafted hard and defended well but the Canaries sensed a winner.

Morrison readied changes just as his side threatened as Morgan’s deflected strike flew wide and Phillips nodded narrowly wide from the corner.

O’Leary’s best save denied Fisher, again, after stunning Paris Maghoma’s chip.

Norwich looked close to a breakthrough - but their visitors showed the way forward with 15 minutes left.

Callum Styles advanced and fed Morgan on the left side of the penalty area. The new boy fizzed a brilliant left-footed ball across goal for Heggebo to turn in from close range.

Norwich complained for an arm, but there was nothing doing.

Clement’s hosts pushed for a leveller but the brilliant Isaac Price was a lick of paint from two with a 25-yard curler brilliantly saved by Vladan Kovacevic. The mother of all scrambles thereafter wouldn’t go in.

The clash once again turned on another stunning Albion block. This time new skipper Campbell brilliantly blocked another strike flying on target from the hosts.

It proved critical as, 30 seconds later, the Baggies had a second.

O’Leary’s clearance was not cut out and dropped to Morgan on the left. From there, the new Baggies talisman did the rest quite brilliantly.

He strode inside, took his time showing wonderful composure to burst into the box before the coolest of finishes low beyond Kovacevic, to cries of “oh Jimmy-Jay Morgan” from the away end.

Norwich threatened to spoil the travelling party as Kvistgaarden turns in on 90 minutes after O’Leary made another fine save from Jacob Wright, but Albion manfully held on for a brilliant smash-and-grab victory.

Norwich (4-2-3-1): Kovacevic; Fisher, Cordoba, Darling, Chrisene; McLean (c), Mattsson (Field, 86); Brooks (Wright, 79), Ben Slimane (Schwartau, 72), Maghoma (Diallo, 72); Toure (Kvistgaarden, 86).

Subs not used: Grimshaw (gk), Stacey, McConville, Field, Alves.

Albion (4-4-2): O’Leary; Galves (Stewart, 90+4), Phillips, Campbell (c), Styles; Whitwell (Nzingoula, 68), Horn Myhre (Molumby, 68), Diakite (Bielik, 90+4), Price; Heggebo, Morgan (Mephem, 90+4).

Subs not used: Ingram (gk), Williams, Townsend, Johnston.

Referee: Tim Robinson