West Brom claim first victory, as Blackburn get first point of the season

West Bromwich Albion claimed their first Premier League victory of the season with a 1-0 defeat of Norwich at Carrow Road. The visitors were in front after just three minutes.

Nicky Shorey fired a long ball through the Norwich defence, Canaries defender Ritchie De Laet headed towards young keeper Declan Rudd but Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie nipped in to poke the ball home, before the Norwich keeper could collect it.

Norwich got into the game slightly but never really carried enough of a cutting edge to breakdown the Baggies defence. One of their best chances fell to Elliott Bennett who fired over from eight yards out.

Norwich tried their hardest to get back into the game but they couldn’t quite find a way back in and the Baggies should have had a second goal in the 75^th minute. Steven Reid went down under slight contact from Canaries striker Steve Morison in the penalty area and referee Mark Halsey pointed to spot.

Goal scorer Odemwingie stepped up to take the spot kick but his penalty was saved superbly by a full stretch Declan Rudd. Welsh striker Steve Morison had probably the best chance of the game for the home side as he headed wide from six yards out.

In the end though, Roy Hodgson’s side held on to record their first Premier League victory of the season. The defeat leaves Norwich still looking for their first victory of the campaign.

Elsewhere Fulham and Blackburn drew 1-1 at Craven Cottage. Both clubs started this game without a victory in the Premier League but the visitors will be happier with the point, considering it was their first point of the campaign.

The visitors took the lead in the 32^nd minute through Ruben Rochina. The former-Barcelona youngster scored a superb 18 yard drive from the edge of the Fulham penalty area. The lead didn’t last long though.

Fulham equalised in the 38^th minute, England hopeful Bobby Zamora ghosted in from a position on the right and from an awkward angle placed a shot past Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson. Striker Bryan Ruiz was making his Fulham debut but was largely ineffective and was replaced by Moussa Dembele at half-time.

The second half was a scrappy encounter bereft of many clear cut chances as defence got the better of attack. Fulham’s Clint Dempsey did have two efforts on goal but was denied by Rovers defender Gael Givet and keeper Paul Robinson.

Near the end of the game Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer clattered into young Rovers attacker Junior Hoilett and the pair clashed heads.  The youngster went down and had to leave the field on a stretcher in a neck brace. It was a horrible end to a tight encounter.

Blackburn boss Steve Kean’s job is apparently on the line and a defeat here could have triggered his exit from Ewood Park. Fulham boss Martin Jol will be frustrated that his side have failed to win another home game. The Cottagers are still looking for their first Premier League victory of the season.