West Bromwich Albion have boosted their chances of Premier League survival after securing a 1-0 victory against Norwich City at Carrow Road.
A first-half goal from Morgan Amalfitano was enough to place the Baggies six points adrift of the relegation zone.
For Chris Hughton's Norwich side, they have slumped to just one place above the bottom three and their unbeaten run of six league home fixtures has come to an end.
Discover how the match unfolded with our minute-by-minute commentary below.
Afternoon all! We've reached that stage of the season where the old cliche of 'every game is a cup final' comes into play from teams hunting the Premier League title or trying to survive relegation. Here, we're focusing on the lower half of the table as Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion go head to head at Carrow Road.
The Canaries have a six-point gap between themselves and the drop with six games left to play, while the Baggies are lingering dangerously above the doomed teams as just three points separate themselves from safety and Championship football.
Before we get into the game itself, let's delve into today's team selections as they have just been announced. We'll start with the home side first...
NORWICH XI: Ruddy; Martin, Yobo, Bassong, Olsson; Snodgrass, Howson, Tettey, Hoolahan; Elmander, Hooper
Substitutes' bench: Bunn, Whittaker, Johnson, Van Wolfswinkel, Gutierrez, Becchio, Redmond
Norwich manager Chris Hughton has made two changes to his side that suffered a 3-0 defeat to Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium last weekend. Joseph Yobo has been passed fit and will replace Ryan Bennett, while Gary Hooper comes in for Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
Now for the visitors...
WEST BROM XI: Foster; Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell; Amalfitano, Morrison, Mulumbu, Dorrans; Sessegnon, Vydra
Substitutes' bench: Myhill, Thievy, Berahino, Dawson, O'Neil, Gera, Anichebe
It's just the one change from Pepe Mel's side that suffered a late 3-3 draw with Cardiff City last weekend as Craig Dawson makes way for Jonas Olsson, who has returned to the starting lineup following a two-match ban.
As expected, youngster Saido Berahino has been included in the squad following his alleged physical altercation with teammate James Morrison following the clash at The Hawthorns. However, Berahino will start this afternoon's match on the bench, while Morrison keeps his spot in the starting side.
The off-field drama has dominated the Baggies' build up to the encounter, but Mel attempted to play down the incident in his press conference yesterday when speaking about Berahino by saying: "I am very impressed with his positive reaction and what this says for the future.
"In addition to being an excellent player he is also very intelligent. He has shown this in training and I am certain he is going to help us in the next game.
"I've spoken to him throughout the week. He is very positive. He will be extremely important to us in final seven games."
Situations such as the recent bust-up is the last thing that the Baggies need as they try to retain their top-flight status. Questions over the futures of both managers today have been asked throughout the season. For Mel, the pressure is on as he has only secured one win since taking over at The Hawthorns in January - a 2-1 victory over Swansea last month.
The Baggies have seven games left in their campaign, one more than Norwich, who have had a torrid time away from home this season, but have had a positive stint at home. Hughton has overseen an unbeaten run of six games at Carrow Road, conceding just one goal in the process.
The last meeting between the two sides resulted in a 2-0 victory for Norwich, courtesy of goals from Hooper and Leroy Fer. It was also the last time that Norwich won a game on the road.
For West Brom, they have only clinched two wins in their last 21 Premier League outings, but they can take some encouragement from the fact that they have won three of their last four visits to Carrow Road. Although, last season's 4-0 defeat will be pushed far from their minds, you would think.
Most league games are crucial at this stage, but for Norwich, if they grab maximum points, they could stretch the gap from the bottom three to nine points, while West Brom would equal their opponents' points of 32 if they get the win on away turf.
Michael Turner was thought to be a possible squad inclusion for Norwich after recovering from a hamstring injury, but there is no place for him at Carrow Road today. The defender has not featured for the club since New Year's Day.
West Brom have been boosted by the return of Olsson in the back line following his suspension. Victor Anichebe may also play a role for the Baggies today as he is named on the bench for the clash after overcoming a hamstring problem.
Both clubs will be keeping an eye on the teams around them, but more so West Brom. Fulham, who are rooted to the bottom of the table, are away to Aston Villa this afternoon, while Cardiff City host 16th-placed Crystal Palace, which could prove to be a pivotal result as far as the relegation battle is concerned. Sunderland, who are second from bottom, do not play until Monday when they take on Tottenham Hotspur.
Speaking of potentially pivotal results...last weekend's 3-3 draw against Cardiff was a hammer blow to West Brom, who led in added time, only to be pegged back in the dying minutes. Despite the disappointment, the team will have to mentally put that behind them as they hunt for points at Carrow Road.
PREDICTION: With around 10 minutes left to go until kickoff, it seems appropriate for a prediction. While Norwich have been, let's be honest, awful on the road, they have had a positive stint at home. For me, West Brom could get a goal this afternoon, but I expect the Canaries to just edge the match 2-1.
The teams are lining up in the tunnel and are about to emerge onto the pitch to the tune of 'We Will Rock You'!
Here they come! Both sets of players are out on the field. After the obligatory handshakes, play will get underway. Let's hope for a good one!
KICKOFF! West Brom get us underway, kicking from right to left.
Reid launches a free kick into the box, but it's an easy collection for Ruddy as the ball bounces in front of him and into his hands.
At the other end, Norwich get a free kick as Snodgrass whips in a free kick from the left side of the area, but it's a poor delivery into the 18-yard area as it alludes everyone and goes out for a West Brom throw-in.
Norwich take the first shot on goal with Tettey, but his long-range effort is a poor one as it flies over the crossbar and fails to trouble the keeper.
West Brom go on the attack and Dorrans tries his hand at a narrow shot from outside the 18-yard area. It forces Ruddy to drop to the ground and smother the ball in order to clear the danger. Not a bad effort from the Baggies player.
Some intricate build-up play between Vydra and Sessegnon puts West Brom on the frontfoot. Sessegnon plays it out wide to Amalfitano, who looks for the near post with his shot, but Ruddy is able to grab the ball.
Morrison, who was involved in the altercation with Berahino last weekend, is currently seeking treatment on his right ankle, but it looks as though there won't be a problem for the player as he re-enters the field.
Hooper finds some space in the final third and plays the ball out to the left side to Hoolahan, who tries to thump in a cross into the box, but it's blocked and any chance goes missing.
Hooper breaks away again and goes for a long-range shot at goal. It gets the deflection, but the keeper manages to get a hand onto it.
CHANCE! Norwich could have been 1-0 up at this stage following some nice build-up play. Snodgrass feeds the ball into the path of Elmander, who has time and space to get a shot at goal. He chooses to side-foot it towards the net and it goes flying over the crossbar. He should have done better.
CHANCE! Norwich could have been 1-0 up at this stage following some nice build-up play. Snodgrass feeds the ball into the path of Elmander, who has time and space to get a shot at goal. He chooses to side-foot it towards the net and it goes flying over the crossbar. He should have done better.
The Baggies take the lead at Carrow Road! Morgan Amalfitano gets away from his marker to drive the play to the corner of the box, where he unleashed a low shot, which drove past Ruddy and into the right bottom corner of the net.
Norwich play around the back as West Brom get everyone behind the ball after surrendering possession. The Canaries fans are trying to encourage their team from the crowd, but it's not happening at the moment.
Ridgewell launches the ball into the box from a free kick in the final third, but he fails to find any of his teammates and Norwich manage to clear with ease.
Howson lofts a long ball over the top looking for Snodgrass, who follows the ball's path in the air, but as it falls to the ground, he is unable to reach it and keep the ball from going out of play. Sums up Norwich's start to this game.
West Brom send their players into the box for a free kick. Olsson manages to get in behind the Norwich back line, but it bounces too far in front of him to make any contact for a shot at goal.
Norwich get some good fortune as Ridgewell gives the ball away to Snodgrass in his own half, but they fail to make the most of the opportunity.
Snodgrass drives down the right-hand side of the final third to deliver a whipping cross into the box, but Reid manages to get there first to clear for a corner, which comes to nothing for the hosts.
SAVE! It's a vital save from Ruddy as Vydra goes for a close-range shot at goal after an impressive counter-attack from West Brom. Sessegnon plays the ball into Vydra's feet, who tries to hit it across the goal, but Ruddy smacks it away and allows Norwich to breathe.
At the other end, Martin collects the ball out wide and hits a low cross into the box looking for Hooper, but Olsson manages to get a foot to the ball for West Brom and keep out the danger of an equaliser.
Mulumbu goes down clutching his right leg after a coming-together with Howson. He's had some medical treatment, but all seems okay for West Brom as he prepares to make his way back onto the field.
West Brom are causing problems for the home side with their pace as Dorrans goes for a shot on goal, but he's ruled offside as the ball drives straight into Ruddy.
Some lovely play again between Mulumbu and Sessegnon, who plays the ball into the path of Vydra, who manages to get behind the defence, but he's in an offside position as the ball is played.
SAVE! What a fantastic save from Foster! He's denied Elmander getting on the scoresheet after the Norwich forward received the ball from Hooper's flick-on header. The effort was going away from Foster, but he was able to make up enough ground to knock the ball out for a corner, which comes to nothing.
Norwich have a spell of possession and are knocking it around the back and midfield, but West Brom are packing bodies into their own half, which is stopping the home side from creating an opportunity.
BOOKING! A wild challenge from Tettey coming from behind on Sessegnon results in a yellow card after the Baggies player found space away from his marker.
Reid lines up and takes the free kick, but the Norwich wall holds firm and the opportunity goes missing.
It's poor from Tetty as he needlessly knocks the ball out of play behind the line to give away a corner for the Baggies just minutes before the half-time whistle, but it comes to nothing for West Brom.
Reid makes a vital clearance at the other end of the field after a late surge from Norwich. Snodgrass sends a low cross into the box, but the West Brom defender slides to ground to stop the ball from finding the back of the net.
HALF-TIME: Norwich City 0-1 West Brom
The away side currently have the advantage following an impressive goal from Amalfitano, but goalkeepers at both ends have been forced to make saves in the first 45. Norwich boss Chris Hughton is likely to make changes for the second half, which means that Ricky van Wolfswinkel may feature at some point.
Norwich have struggled to cope with West Brom's pace at the moment, and in truth, it is only down to Ruddy and some poor finishing from the Baggies that has stopped the travelling team from taking a bigger lead.
However, the Canaries have shown some promise in their attacking play, but West Brom have put everyone behind the ball when they lose possession, which is preventing the home side from causing much danger.
However, the Canaries have shown some promise in their attacking play, but West Brom have put everyone behind the ball when they lose possession, which is preventing the home side from causing much danger.
Elmander had a good chance to give Norwich the lead in the early stages of the half, but he fluffed his effort by hitting it over the bar. He may rue missing that chance and it could result in him being replaced by Van Wolfswinkel at some stage.
For Norwich, the beauty of a 1-0 scoreline is that there is still plenty of time to get back into the clash. However, with possible relegation looming, West Brom will be determined to hold on to their lead in the second half.
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! Norwich restart the match, with neither side making any changes at the interval.
Snodgrass whips the ball into the box looking for Elmander, who was falling as the ball came in. He fails to get a touch on it and it bounces behind the line for a goal kick.
Vydra collects the ball on the left and drives past Bassong, but as he moves towards goal, he unleashes a weak effort and it gets cleared for a corner, which comes to nothing.
McAuley blocks an effort from Snodgrass after the ball was setup from Elmander, He gives away a corner, but when the ball comes in Foster is able to collect the ball in the air.
It's been an attacking and positive start from the home side as they search for that equaliser. At the moment, West Brom have struggled to create a significant chance in the second half.
Martin gets past a number of red shirts to launch an impressive delivery into the box looking for Elmander, but Reid is able to get there in time to clear the danger.
CHANCE! Hooper unleashes a thumping strike following a scramble in the box. He fires it towards the near post, but it rattles off the crossbar and back into play.
Close again from Norwich! Snodgrass launches a free-kick effort from outside the area, but it clips the crossbar once again as Foster gets the faintest of touches on the ball. The noise from the crowd elevates as the Canaries continue to attack.
It's been a good spell for the home side, but West Brom seem happy to retreat and soak up the pressure at the moment given that they still have the one-goal advantage.
SUBSTITUTION Nathan Redmond replaces Wes Hoolahan as Norwich make their first change of the match.
It's a positive start from substitute Redmond, who charges down the left-hand side and drives past Reid and Olsson to get into the box, but play breaks down.
CHANCE! A great opportunity for Snodgrass goes missing. There's some lovely passing between himself and Hooper, who passes into the feet of Snodgrass. He gets away from Ridgewell and unleashes a curling shot, but it drives wide.
SUBSTITUTION: Norwich make their second change of the match as Becchio replaces Elmander. West Brom also decide to remove Vydra from the field of play and bring on Berahino.
Berahino picks up the ball after an impressive run and goes on to take the strike in the box, but it's a poor effort and fails to trouble Ruddy.
West Brom go on the counter-attack against as Mulumbu plays the ball out wide to Amalfitano, but instead of surging towards goal, Pepe Mel's side seem content to be patient in possession.
It could have been an embarrassing moment for Howson as he fails to anticipate the ball coming towards him. Berahino tries latch onto the loose ball, but Howson eventually manages to tap the ball to Ruddy.
It's gone a bit quiet at Carrow Road, as Norwich try to find that equaliser, but West Brom are doing a good job at stifling the home side's attack as we reach the final 10 minutes of the clash.
SUBSTITUTION Strangely, Gera, who came onto the field a matter of minutes ago, has come off the field with what appears to be a hamstring problem. O'Neil enters the pitch, while Norwich made their final change with Gutierrez coming on for Olsson.
Redmond launches a cross into the box, but there are plenty of red shirts defending to clear the danger with ease.
The urgency from Norwich seems to have disappeared in these closing stages. It's worrying signs for the Canaries and their Premier League future should they lose this match.
Gutierrez looks for Becchio as he lofts the ball into the box from the left-hand side. The forward gets a head onto it but his effort is just wide of the post, and time is running out for the Canaries.
Norwich fans are urging their side in the final few minutes of normal time as Martin delivers the ball into the area, but once again, West Brom clear.
At the other end, Berahino storms down the flanks and feeds the ball into Morrison, who would be in on goal, but Gutierrez gets back and manages to put enough pressure on his opponent to stop him from taking the shot.
SAVE! Berahino picks the ball up from Morrison on the left side of the box. He drives along the line and goes for the shot at a tight angle, but Ruddy is able to protect his goal and block the shot.
West Brom are ending the game on the frontfoot as Sessegnon plays the ball out to Amalfitano, who runs the ball out to the corner in order to eat up the clock.
FULL-TIME: Norwich City 0-1 West Brom
It's a huge win for West Bromwich Albion as they see out a 1-0 victory at Carrow Road, which has now placed them six points above the relegation zone with six games left to play. For Norwich though, time is running out for them to retain their Premier League status as their unbeaten run of league fixtures comes to an end.
Thank you for joining Sports Mole today, and don't forget that you can catch up with all of today's football results here. Until next time, goodbye!
Written by
Danielle Joynson
Danielle Joynson
