Unbeaten run ends
Albion slipped to a disappointing defeat against Norwich City as their fine recent form deserted them at The Hawthorns.
The Baggies were undone by a solitary second-half goal from Robbie Brady which did wonders for the Canaries survival fight but little for Albion’s hopes of recording their best-ever Premier League.
In a game which struggled to provide attacking impetus at either end, Albion’s best moments came in the first half with man of the match Claudio Yacob so close with a ferocious drive from the edge of the area and Stephane Sessegnon unable to convert after intercepting a Gary O’Neil pass.
But the game was settled by a scruffy goal in the 50th minute which Brady converted from 10 yards after the ball broke to him in Albion’s area.
The Baggies sent on James McClean, Alex Pritchard and Rickie Lambert in second half changes in an effort to change a sluggish performance – but to no avail.
Typical of the day for Albion was the sight of Gareth McAuley collecting a late booking on the day he became the Club’s oldest outfield player of the Premier League era.
Albion: Foster; Dawson, McAuley, J Olsson (McClean 60), Evans; Sessegnon (Lambert 86), Fletcher, Yacob, Gardner (Pritchard 72), Berahino, Rondon.
Subs: Myhill, Chester, Anichebe, Sandro
Bookings: McCauley (89, foul)
Norwich: Ruddy; Martin (c), Klose, Bassong, M Olsson; Jarvis (Hoolahan 90), Howson, O'Neil, Brady (Odjidja-Ofoe, 77) Bamford (Naismith 72); Mbokani.
Subs: Rudd, Jerome, Dorrans, Pinto,
Bookings: Odjidja-Ofoe (80, time-wasting); Howson (90, time wasting)
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Wythenshawe)
Albion Man of the Match: Claudio Yacob