Sheffield Wednesday 2 West Brom 1: Baggies unbeaten run ends as hosts chalk up first home win

Albion lost for the first time in 11 games to end the season with defeat at basement boys Sheffield Wednesday in James Morrison’s first game as permanent boss.

The Baggies were well beaten on a jubilant day of celebration for the Owls, whose takeover by David Storch was confirmed on kick-off and who won at home for the first time all season to climb to zero Championship points in a trying campaign.

Two goals in four first-half minutes proved to be the difference, both scored from set-pieces, by ex-Baggies Nathaniel Chalobah and Liam Palmer.

Karlan Grant, one of five possible farewell Albion appearances, pulled one back with eight minutes left but Wednesday held on for a first league win in 40 attempts.

For Morrison and Albion work starts immediately to improve from a dreadful 2025/26 campaign, which ended in 21st, one place clear of relegation thanks to miraculous work from the new permanent head coach.

It took Albion a little while to settle after the pre-match cacophony of noise to welcome in the hosts’ club takeover.

But a possible Baggies opening came on the break, only for Aune Heggebo to leave his pass short for youngster Ollie Bostock, who was one of three changes by Morrison.

Albion were indebted to Max O’Leary’s fine save from Jamal Lowe after a deflected low cross in the clash’s first real chance.

Both sets of fans provided a fine backdrop but the contest struggled to get going. Heggebo’s tame effort was saved by Pierce Charles.

Danny Imray’s low drive was blocked after neat play down the left by Price and Callum Styles.

A final-day affair was heading nowhere fast before the hosts worked a lead 11 minutes before the interval.

Jamal Lowe’s free-kick was met and turned in at the near post by former Albion midfielder Chalobah.

Morrison’s men threatened to unravel as Jerry Yates dragged wide and O’Leary tipped over from Tayo Adaramola. Both efforts came to Wednesday’s left.

But just four minutes after the opener it was 2-0. This time a corner from the left went uncleared, pinball ensued with a couple of blocks, the last from Max Lowe, before skipper Palmer wrong-footed O’Leary to score.

A deeply unhappy Morrison introduced Daryl Dike, Grant and Tammer Bany at half-time. Dike headed over soon after.

The changes did not have the immediate effect Morrison desired in a disjointed display. Jamal Lowe easily raced through and clipped the outside of the post.

Albion were unable to maintain any sort of pressure and Price’s wayward effort on 80 minutes was a first strike for half hour.

They unexpectedly halved the deficit a moment later, though, as substitute Grant turned home an uncleared free-kick from six yards in his possible farewell display.

An equaliser would not come as Wednesday earned a deserved first home win.

Sheffield Wednesday (4-2-3-1): Charles; Palmer (c) (Maltby, 90+6), Otegbayo (Iorfa, 55), M Lowe, Adaramole; Fusire, Chalobah; Grainger (McNeill, 55), Heskey, Yates; J Lowe (Kobacki, 81).

Subs not used: Cooper (gk), Nakamba, McGhee, Thornton, Moses.

Albion (4-4-2): O’Leary; Imray, Gilchrist, Campbell, Styles; Bostock (Grant, 45), Mowatt (c), Diakite (Mandey, 88), Price (Wallace, 88); Heggebo (Dike, 45), Maja (Bany, 45).

Subs not used: Griffiths (gk), Taylor, Phillips, Sule.

Attendance: 33,750

Referee: Lewis Smith