Promoted Norwich City consolidated their top-half status on Saturday as a Steve Morison winner earned a 2-1 win at a West Bromwich Albion side now peering over their shoulders at the bottom five.
The result left the visitors snug in ninth place in the Premier League table after just one defeat in their last seven league games.
After a bright opening period that saw both sides hit the woodwork, Andrew Surman gave Norwich the lead by thumping home on the volley after being fed by Wes Hoolahan.
A Shane Long penalty mid-way through the second half -- the 50th league goal of his career -- brought Roy Hodgson's hosts level with their first goal in four league matches.
Daniel Ayala conceded the spotkick by bringing down Jerome Thomas, earning a booking in the process.
But Paul Lambert's visitors showed gritty determination to withstand a spell of pressure after the break before Morison headed in from close range with 11 minutes remaining to clinch the points at The Hawthorns.
West Brom had started positively enough, Peter Odemwingie producing a speculative effort that Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy did well to push onto the crossbar.
The Baggies were looking to complete the double over the Canaries, having won 1-0 at Carrow Road in September, with Odemwingie on target on that occasion.
Norwich swiftly responded and almost took the lead with a bizarre effort as Baggies keeper Ben Foster cleared a loose ball that rebounded off Morison onto the post.
While the victors closed to within two points of Stoke City with 28 points from 21 games after their seventh win of the campaign, West Brom's haul of 22 points is only five better than third-bottom QPR, who are in action on Sunday at Newcastle United.
Source: AFP
