Koumas lights up the Hawthorns

These are perplexing times for the West Bromwich faithful. They don't know whether their side are about to hit form and take a real grip of this division or drop off the pace by producing more performances like the last two.

Convincing they certainly are not but, by the old adage that good sides regularly win without playing well, they could easily accomplish a second promotion in three seasons.

Already they have stockpiled more points than in their sobering Premiership campaign, 11 victories from 15 league and cup matches suggesting they have readapted well enough to Nationwide life.

Gary Megson - and more importantly the supporters, because the manager did not criticise his players for their stuttering efforts - will be much happier, though, when standards once more start to match those of a side which is second in the table.

They were on the back foot for much of the second half because they struggle with the qualities Norwich City have in abundance. Nigel Worthington has a neat and technically proficient side who were considerably more fluent.

The Canaries salvaged a point from half-time deficits at Wigan and West Ham in their previous two games and went close here to rescuing something from behind for the fifth time in six matches.

Craig Fleming had their clearest chance and would have scored his first goal for three years had it not been for Russell Hoult. "Thankfully, we have a tremendous keeper and he made a fine save," Megson said.

Albion's strength at present is just that: their strength. They started with three big centre-backs, had another burly six-footer at right wing-back, gave a debut on the left to the uncompromising Paul Robinson and introduced a fourth central defender near the end when using only the substitute Lee Hughes up front.

It was not the most edifying spectacle to put before the home support but the methods prevailed, just, because Norwich were largely toothless in the absence of the injured Darren Huckerby.

Having survived off-target headers by Scott Dobie and Rob Hulse, they saw their seven-match unbeaten league run perish at the feet of Jason Koumas. The Wales midfielder was far and away Albion's most creative force, so it was fitting he should brilliantly score the afternoon's only goal.

His high-quality, curling right-foot shot came from the edge of the area and from their best move. No wonder the Hawthorns board are trying to secure him on a longer contract barely 12 months into his stay in the Black Country.

As for Norwich, it might all be about continuing an excellent Carrow Road record as the country's only 100 per cent home team.

Goal: Koumas (35) 1-0.

West Bromwich Albion (3-5-2): Hoult; Gregan, Gaardsoe, Gilchrist; Haas, O'Connor, Wallwork (Volmer, 90), Koumas, Robinson; Hulse (Hughes, 69), Dobie (Sakiri, 80). Substitutes not used: Murphy, Clement.

Norwich City (4-3-3): Green; Edworthy, Fleming, Mackay, Drury; Holt (Shackell, 84), Francis, Mulryne; Harper, Roberts (Crouch, 58), Rivers (McVeigh, 46). Substitutes not used: Easton, Lewis.

Referee: G Salisbury (Preston).

Attendance: 24,966.

Man of the match: Koumas.