Right at the other end Christos Tzolis can't quite get on the end of a Norwich ball into the West Brom box.

Baggies keeper Alex Palmer collects.

Liam Gibbs goes into the book.

The Norwich man sees yellow for a cynical challenge on John Swift and West Brom win a free-kick for their trouble.

Brandon Thomas-Asante picks up the ball on the right flank as West Brom go on the attack.

He races into the box and sends a right-footed shot towards goal but it's blocked for a throw-in.

The hosts then whip a ball into the Norwich box but it's headed away.

Jay Freeman
BBC Sport

Less than 12 months ago, optimism shone through at the DW Stadium.

From the pain of administration and relegation during Covid in 2020 to the joys of promotion just two years later.

Things looked bright for Wigan Athletic under new ownership and, with an assured 2021-22 League One title winning campaign under boss Leam Richardson, you would have been forgiven for thinking the Latics had at least a decent shot at remaining in the second tier.

So how do you sum up their 2022-23 campaign? Ask the club's supporters and it will not be one that lives in the memory.

Richardson, who had so valiantly led the club to the third-tier title in his first full season in charge and had a stand named after him, was sacked in November.

His departure came just over two weeks after he signed a new three-year deal, but he exited with the club already in trouble in the relegation places.

With a World Cup break giving the potential to steady their descent, the Latics appointed former Arsenal and Manchester City defender Kolo Toure as their new boss - his first job in first-team management.

His tenure at the club lasted just two months, and nine games and without a single victory, by which point the club were in the midst of a battle against the drop past the midway point of the season.

In stepped former winger Shaun Maloney to lead the club, their third manager of the season, with the Latics bottom of the league upon his appointment.

But there was more misery to come. Wigan received a three-point deduction for paying their players late on four occasions in less than 12 months - the players released an open letter to say the club had "disrespected" them and chief executive Mal Brannigan left his post.

With their deficit at the bottom increased, Wigan were realistically doomed long before their fate was sealed in such cruel fashion against Reading.

No changes to either side at the break.

We had a high tempo finish to the first half. Will we see that continue in the second?

West Brom get us back under way at The Hawthorns.

Is this the most important half of the season for both of these sides?

Nothing but a win will do.

Daniel: Homer referee at The Hawthorns as that was never a free-kick that lead to their goal, not a free-kick even at Old Trafford or Anfield for the home team.

We could be in for an intriguing second half at The Hawthorns.

Both sides need to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Will we see more goals when we return? It took a while for this one to get going.

Image source, Getty Images

The first half at The Hawthorns comes to an end.

Norwich boss David Wagner is furious and exchanges words with the fourth official as the players make their way to the tunnel.

But Conor Townsend's pearler of a free-kick sends West Brom level just minutes after the Canaries had led through Josh Sargent.

What do West Brom have in response to that Norwich goal?

Just beforehand they were on top in this game and certainly in the driving seat.

It's a bad time to concede as well, just before half-time.

Jayson Molumby tries an audacious turn in the Norwich box as West Brom attack once more.

Soon after it's cleared, Albion keep it alive and Molumby has another shot which is well cleared by Norwich captain Andrew Omobamidele.

A West Brom corner which comes after a period of dominance with the ball.

John Swift sends it in and Semi Ajayi rises high and heads on target and forces a cracking save from Norwich keeper Angus Gunn.

A promising attack comes to nothing for the hosts.

Brandon Thomas-Asante combines with John Swift as West Brom go on the attack.

He turns onto his weaker left foot and curls high and wide of the mark.

Jed Wallace makes a run into the Norwich half on the counter straight from a Canaries attack.

He puts too much weight on the ball and Sam Byram slides the ball away for a throw-in to the hosts.

Gabriel Sara goes to ground in the West Brom box during a spell of Norwich pressure but referee Bobby Madley waves away his calls for a penalty.

There's not many complaints from the Canaries midfielder and play continues.

A Darnell Furlong long throw into the Norwich City box is immediately dealt with by the visitors.

West Brom and Norwich are very evenly matched right now but there's a definite lack of chances in comparison to the opening 10 or 15 minutes.

West Brom win a corner which is sent into the Norwich box but it's immediately headed in the wrong direction by Darnell Furlong.

The hosts make chase but Norwich pin them back almost to the halfway line.