Norwich City 3-4 West Bromwich Albion: Jay Rodriguez efforts please Baggies boss
- Published
Jay Rodriguez struck twice as West Brom recorded their first Championship win of the season
Boss Darren Moore praised West Bromwich Albion striker Jay Rodriguez after his double helped edge a seven-goal thriller at Norwich City for their first Championship victory of the season.
Rodriguez, who was the subject of transfer window interest from Burnley but remained at the Hawthorns, scored his first goals of the season to steer the visitors to success.
Further goals from Harvey Barnes and Hal Robson-Kanu made sure of the points, despite goals from Jordan Rhodes, Teemu Pukki and Grant Hanley.
"It's testament to Jay," Moore told BBC WM. "He's a great man, a valuable player for us and a potent striker.
"We're pleased to have him at West Brom, he showed his prowess today and that will do him the world of good. We're delighted to have him here."
The Baggies fell behind to Rhodes' strike, but Rodriguez levelled from the penalty spot after on-loan Newcastle striker Dwight Gayle drew a foul from Tim Krul.
Scotland striker Rhodes then had a spot-kick saved after Chris Brunt felled the twisting Onel Hernandez inside the area - and the Baggies took control in the second half through Rodriguez's long-range strike and Barnes' finish from Matt Phillips' cutback.
Daniel Farke's side found a second through Pukki, only for Robson-Kanu to sweep home Brunt's corner to make it 4-2.
Hanley pulled one back for the hosts to set up a nervy finish at Carrow Road, but Moore's men hung on to claim a first win in three attempts.
Norwich dominated a lively first half and the Baggies did not muster a shot on target until the 21st minute, when Kieran Gibbs' deflected strike was comfortably reached by Krul.
Returning full-back Ivo Pinto was inches away from scoring a stunning goal as he glided into the West Brom box, evaded two challenges and then whipped a fierce drive from 20 yards that Sam Johnstone palmed away at full stretch.
The Baggies started the second half strongly and initially restricted the hosts to a handful of harmless long-range strikes before four goals arrived in a maddening 17-minute spell.
City pressed for an equaliser amid five minutes of added time and controlled the closing stages, but they missed a golden chance to level when Hanley headed just wide from Ben Marshall's free-kick.
Norwich boss Daniel Farke told BBC Radio Norfolk:
"It's really disappointing we lost this game, it's hard to take. I got the feeling that this was the best first half that we played since I was in charge.
"We created so much against a side with real quality, it was 1-1 at half-time which was ridiculous for this game.
"To lose this game with four conceded goals after 90 minutes is even tougher to take, it's the reality, and football is not fair."