Jayson Molumby scored his first Albion goal since netting twice against Stoke City in April 2023
West Bromwich Albion withstood Swansea City's second-half pressure to earn a 1-0 win which lifted them into second place in the Championship.
After the Baggies spurned numerous chances to go ahead, Jayson Molumby got the only goal on the stroke of half-time at The Hawthorns - his first strike since April 2023.
Swansea came to life in the second half when summer signings Zan Vipotnik, Eom Ji-sung and Goncalo Franco had chances to equalise.
But Albion held on to preserve their unbeaten start to the league campaign, while Swansea sit on four points from this season's four Championship games.
- Published30 August
- Published30 August
Baggies boss Carlos Corberan stuck with the same XI that has started every league game this season, leaving deadline day signings Mikey Johnston and on-loan Mason Holgate out of his squad - but midfielders Uros Racic, on loan from Serie A side Sassuolo, and Hungary international Callum Styles both made their Albion debut as second-half substitutes.
Swansea boss Luke Williams made one change following the 1-1 draw with Cardiff City, with Vipotnik leading the line as South Wales derby goal scorer Liam Cullen was out with an ankle issue.
The Baggies wasted no time in asking questions of the Swans, as Lawrence Vigouroux got down well to palm away Tom Fellows' effort after just 90 seconds.
The Championship's joint-top scorer Josh Maja then failed to beat Vigouroux with two headed efforts.
Having rescued his side early on, Vigouroux saw a misplaced clearance intercepted by Molumby, whose low-drilled effort was saved.
The visitors desperately struggled to cause any problems, with Franco's blocked effort being about as exciting as it got in the opening half for the away supporters.
When former Cardiff loan striker Karlan Grant was unable to guide his shot on target after Harry Darling blocked another Maja effort, the home fans could have been forgiven for fearing Albion were not going to capitalise on their dominance.
But they got the breakthrough their attacking efforts warranted in the first minute of first-half added time when Maja combined with Molumby, who slid his effort into the bottom corner.
- Published28 August
Swansea significantly improved after the restart and finally created a clear opening when Matt Grimes threaded through to Vipotnik, whose tame effort was comfortably saved by Alex Palmer.
Darnell Furlong then produced a vital challenge to thwart Eom who was preparing to shoot after latching on to another Grimes through ball.
South Korea international Eom - who wanted a penalty after a collision with goalkeeper Palmer - proved increasingly threatening, and it was his combination with Josh Tymon on the left which led to Franco having a close-range effort saved.
Shortly after Albion substitute Racic volleyed over from six yards out, Fellows blazed over from a counter-attack.
Vigouroux then produced an excellent one-handed save late on to deny Racic, on as a second-half replacement for matchwinner Molumby.
West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan told BBC Radio WM:
"The first half was excellent. We managed the ball very well.
"In the second half, we couldn't repeat it. It was because we didn't manage the game well enough.
"We're still building the team, with new faces. There are a lot of processes in front of us."
Swansea City head coach Luke Williams told BBC Radio Wales:
"I would say the first half was a disappointment in terms of being overwhelmed by the opposition. We played very within ourselves.
"They defended the box, the lads, pretty well until we conceded. Then the second half, I'm not disappointed at all.
"I'm really impressed with the players for the way they approached the second half. The second half is the team we want to see. They played much more aggressively in and out of possession."
