Norwich City’s struggles at Carrow Road continued on Wednesday night with a disappointing 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion, marking their fifth home defeat in a row in the Championship. Despite a spirited display, the Canaries failed to penetrate a resolute West Brom defence, with Josh Maja’s goal in the 20th minute proving decisive for the visitors. Read more about Norwich City Launches Ambitious Carrow Road Revamp Plans.
The match began at a slow pace but quickly intensified when Maja, making only his third start of the season, capitalised on a defensive oversight. A well-coordinated attack involving Sammy Iling-Junior and Isaac Price culminated in Maja finding the net from close range, granting West Brom the lead. This goal was particularly meaningful for Maja, as it marked his first since January 1, when he scored twice in a 3-1 victory over Preston North End.
Norwich’s performance had its highlights; they generated multiple opportunities but were consistently thwarted by an impressive display from West Brom goalkeeper Josh Griffiths. Emiliano Marcondes was notably active, nearly equalising with a powerful effort that Griffiths expertly parried. Similarly, Harry Darling's header from a Matej Jurasek set-piece narrowly missed the target, as the Canaries pressed for an equaliser.
As the match progressed, Norwich’s frustration mounted. Although they enjoyed greater possession, converting chances into goals proved elusive. Late in the game, Jovon Makama looked set to score but was denied by another outstanding save from Griffiths, who remained resolute throughout the match. In the dying moments, Ante Crnac also encountered a similar fate, being thwarted at close range as Griffiths continued his impressive performance.
Post-match, Norwich manager Liam Manning expressed his disappointment in an interview with BBC Radio Norfolk, stating, “It’s hugely frustrating. To lose, it’s a tough one to take because I thought the performance was good. We showed a bit of bravery, we showed a bit of quality... we created opportunities, just didn’t take them. It’s quite clear, we have to start winning games.”
In contrast, West Brom manager Ryan Mason praised his team’s collective resilience, highlighting the effort that went into maintaining a clean sheet. “It was an amazing effort to keep a clean sheet on the road which isn’t easy to do... there was a real togetherness and fighting spirit to see out the game,” he remarked.
This latest defeat leaves Norwich precariously positioned, just two points above the relegation zone after eight matches. The impending East Anglian Derby against Ipswich Town looms large, with the Canaries eager to reverse their fortunes in front of travelling supporters who will demand a strong response.
As both teams prepare for Sunday’s clash, the stakes are high. For Norwich, a victory would not only secure crucial points but also restore confidence within the squad. The Canaries have not triumphed over Ipswich in their last sixteen meetings, and with their current form, the pressure is mounting on Manning and his team to deliver a result that could reignite their season.