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Goals flow again for West Brom but victory still tantalisingly out of reach

Josh Maja had West Brom’s best chance against Millwall
-Credit: (Image: PA Wire/PA Images)


West Brom ended their four-game run without a home goal but were held to a 2-2 draw by Norwich.

First-half strikes from Mason Holgate and Josh Maja were cancelled out by Emiliano Marcondes and a Torbjorn Heggem own goal as the hosts were again made to wait for a win at The Hawthorns.

The game got off to an even start but it was the visitors who almost took an early lead when a misfired clearance from Holgate deflected into the path of Borja Sainz. The Spaniard directed an effort goalward but, despite spilling the initial save, Alex Palmer eventually claimed the ball to end the imminent threat.

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In the 11th minute, an excellent team move culminated in a defence-splitting over-the-top one-two between Callum Styles and Alex Mowatt, with the latter’s resulting shot earning the Baggies a corner.

It was played short to Karlan Grant, who delivered an inch-perfect cross to the near post where Holgate finished with an audacious back-heel effort.

The Canaries drew level in the 20th minute after a quick counter-attack as Jack Stacey beat Styles for pace down the right-hand side to carve out a dangerous chance.

The former Bournemouth defender sent a cross into the six-yard box where Marcondes had lost his marker, allowing him to poke the ball across the goal-line at full stretch.

The Canaries took the lead in the 41st minute after Sainz broke into the box but, after the Spaniard beat multiple defenders, it was Baggies defender Heggem who knocked the ball into his own net.

Carlos Corberan’s side responded almost immediately as, in the 43rd minute, Maja produced a sensational volley from Holgate’s cross to level the score.

A minute later The Hawthorns erupted as Grant had the ball in the back of the net once more – but the referee instead awarded Norwich a free-kick for a handball in the build-up.

After the first-half goal-fest, there was a slower pace to the game at the start of the second period but it was the hosts who were enjoying the better of the chances.

Sainz was unleashed on a darting solo run but, after beating his man in the box, the 23-year-old’s effort proved nothing more than catching practice for Palmer as the game approached the hour mark.

Despite chances at both ends, there was nothing to split the sides as the game ended level.