Match Reports

Albion 2-2 Norwich

An image of Mason Holgate scoring against Norwich

Albion and Norwich played out a thrilling 2-2 Sky Bet Championship draw at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.

Mason Holgate’s opener was turned around by the visitors, courtesy of Emiliano Marcondes and an own-goal.

However, Josh Maja’s excellent 10th strike this season ensured the Baggies took their share, with all four goals coming in a frantic first-half.

Carlos Corberán’s 6th-placed men visit Sunderland on Tuesday next.

An image of Karlan Grant and Josh Maja celebrating a goal against Norwich

The boss named an unchanged XI from the pre-international break victory over Hull.

His side snatched an 11th minute lead when a short corner routine saw Karlan Grant cross to Mason Holgate, who flicked home his first goal since re-joining in the summer.

An image of Mason Holgate scoring against Norwich

But that lead didn’t last very long as Norwich found a leveller midway through the half. Jack Stacey was set free down the right and he found Marcondes for 1-1.

The visitors almost went ahead soon after - Borja Sainz taking advantage of a mishap to fire a volley goalwards, yet Alex Palmer was there to keep his effort out.

It was an enthralling match and there was not let up. Grant fizzed one inches wide and Mikey Johnston saw a shot held before City had another go - Amankwah Forson dipping an attempt just past the post.

Norwich then netted through an own-goal, Heggem accidentally poking in following quick play around the area.

Albion grabbed an immediate equaliser, though, via Maja - the striker wonderfully converting Tom Fellows’ ball to make it 2-2.

And still there was more drama. A Johnston drive hit a Norwich player and fell to Grant - the forward finishing superbly, only for the referee to judge he handballed during the build-up.

An image of Mason Holgate & Josh Maja celebrating with their teammates

The chances continued into the second period, too. Angus Gunn saved a Jayson Molumby shot and Holgate guided the resulting corner off-target early on.

Meanwhile the Baggies defended Sainz’s counter-attack superbly, ensuring he didn’t really trouble Palmer at the end.

Fellows and Johnston both struck over - as did Sainz - when the game quitened down and looked to be heading for a draw.

A string of substitutions from both teams didn’t quite have the desired outcome either, meaning they took a point each come full-time.

The result means Albion are unbeaten in eight, despite seven of those being draws.

Albion: Palmer; Furlong, Holgate, Heggem, Styles; Fellows (Dobbin 70), Molumby, Mowatt (Racic 70), Johnston (Dobbin 70); Grant (Swift 90), Maja (Cole 83). 

Substitutes: Wildsmith, Frabotta, Diakite, Whitwell.

Attendance: 25,673 (2,512).