Norwich head coach Philippe Clement was left feeling extremely hard done by after watching his side lose 2-1 at home to West Brom in their opening Championship fixture.
Clement felt his side should have won the game comfortably with the number of chances they created – and also felt Aune Heggebo’s opener, which came against the run of play, should have been ruled out for handball.
Clement: 'Clearly with the arm'
“It was clearly with the arm that the player scores – we could see that from where we were watching, 50 yards away,” he said. “It was the decisive moment in the game and should have been spotted.
“There are four officials and one of them should have seen it. Maybe the referee didn’t have the best view – but the linesman on our side needs to see that. Missing game-changing moments like this shouldn’t happen – it has cost us at least two, maybe three points.”
As for his side’s performance, he added: “We should have won this game, we played well, showed good intensity and were the better side in all aspects of the game. I am really pleased with all aspects of the performance – except putting the ball in the back of the net.”
Late West Brom strikes seal win
Norwich were on the front foot for most of the game but could not find a way past a resolute defence, with a series of last-ditch blocks, and some excellent stops from Max O’Leary, keeping them at bay.
And they were made to pay for failing to take their chances as Albion scored two late goals to make it a dream start to the new Championship season.
The visitors went in front on 75 minutes when Callum Styles played in Jimmy-Jay Morgan, whose cross was bundled over the line by Heggebo. With three minutes remaining, Morgan made it two with his third goal since joining the Baggies in the summer, racing clear and working his way into the box before blasting the ball home.
Mathias Kvistgaarden nodded home a loose ball as the game entered added time, after a shot from Jacob Wright had been brilliantly saved, but it was too little, too late for Norwich.
Morrison admits fortune
West Brom manager James Morrison admitted his side were fortunate to come away with all three points. “We were on the defensive for a lot of the game and certainly rode our luck at times,” he said. “We weren’t good enough on the ball, especially in the first half.
“We certainly didn’t play the sort of football we did in pre-season. We need to be a lot better than this, although I am sure we will be better once we get into our rhythm.
“In the end we were grateful for some good saves from Max (O’Leary), some good blocks – and a lot of hard work.
“We improved a bit after the break, and I think the substitutions helped and it was obviously pleasing to get those late goals.”
