West Brom 1 Watford 0: JJ Morgan with winner as hard-working Baggies earn spirited success

Jimmy-Jay Morgan’s first-half goal was enough to earn spirited Albion a narrow victory over Watford and return to winning ways.

James Morrison’s hosts were deserved victors in making it three wins from five to start the Championship campaign.

A first clean sheet in seven games in all competitions this season ensured the Baggies achieved what they failed three nights earlier with frustrating draw against Charlton.

Morgan’s fifth goal of the season and first at The Hawthorns was a handily-timed and deserved breakthrough.

The second period was no classic. Albion had the chance to make it two and secure through the returning Aune Heggebo, but a poor, limited Watford put up some late resistance, where Morrison’s men had to stand up manfully.

The dying seconds of stoppage time brought high drama as substitute Jayson Molumby took the brunt of sharp Hornets stings down by the corner flag before a meaningful double fist-pump to the Smethwick End to crank up the decibel levels.

Morrison made four changes and some of the inclusions, Harry Whitwell and Chris Mepham among them, shone.

With a hard-working shutout, the Baggies showed the heart and spirit to go with their style this season.

Albion could have found themselves behind inside five minutes but Ousmane Diakite went unpunished for some slack play in midfield.

He lost it cheaply and Watford broke, as Othmane Maamma checked in from the right of the box but his weak shot was saved by Max O’Leary’s left foot.

Rabby Nzingoula - one of four changes - caught the eye early in central midfield. He played a wonderful ball to Morgan as Albion looked to profit down the left against inexperienced full debutant Albert Eames.

But the hosts’ first big chances came from a more direct source. Recalled centre-back Mepham’s floated pass forward was taken down well by Morgan, who outmuscled his defender in the box and saw a fierce strike well saved by Federico Ravaglia.

Albion found some dominance by the mid-point of the half as the Hornets looked there to be got at.

Watford rode some pressure and showed some ambition in an even game. Once or twice Albion were sloppy with the ball, but just about recovered.

The Baggies had the ball in the net after half hour but it was chalked off and Morgan was booked for his cheeky effort to nod in from Ravaglia’s grasp.

The legal breakthrough did come soon after - with Whitwell at its heart.

Whitwell won the ball in midfield and Isaac Price had the beating of young right-back Albert Eames. Price returned the pass to Whitwell in the inside channel.

The graduate’s low cross was on the money for Morgan, who could turn home from close range as Heggebo wisely jumped clear of the ball.

Unimpressed away boss Alessio Dionisi sent on midfielder Edo Kayembe for left-back Jordan Zemura and his side had one or two bright moments after the interval.

Only fine last-ditch blocks from the impressive Mepham and Diakite kept out close-range efforts, before Maamma looped over.

Morrison’s side were still to settle but should’ve added a second after another lovely flowing move on the left. Whitwell was again picked out on the overlap but his low cross from the byline was just behind Heggebo, who waited to pounce.

A flurry of changes threatened to disrupt things but Albion should have found a killer second with 20 minutes to go.

The excellent Whitwell released Heggebo into the box with a disguised pass but the striker could not beat Ravaglia with a one-v-one effort.

Albion were tasked to manage the final part of the tight clash with minimal fuss and largely did just that. Watford sub debutant Stephy Mavididi showed bright footwork but blazed an effort way over the top left angle.

The final minutes proved more tense than they might’ve been as Watford rained in free-kicks. Molumby took centre stage as he turned into a Hornets punch bag - but his cheers to the Smethwick End seconds before full-time were telling.

Albion (4-4-2): O’Leary; Galves, Campbell (c), Mepham (Phillips, 82), Styles; Whitwell, Nzingoula (Molumby, 73), Diakite, Price; Heggebo (Horn Myhre, 73), Morgan (Stewart, 82).

Subs not used: Ingram (gk), Townsend, Pereira, Collyer, Tunde,

Watford (4-3-3): Ravaglia; Eames (Coulibaly, 59), Pollock (c), Keben, Zemura (Kayembe, 45); Kyprianou, Payero (Nabizada, 67), Bove; Maamma (Mavididi, 67), Bravo, Kjerrumgaard (Doumbia, 82).

Subs not used: Walker (gk), Bachmann (gk), Vata, Clarridge.

Referee: Michael Salisbury