Norwich 0-1 West Brom: Salomon Rondon's second-half header secures the three points for Tony Pulis' men at Carrow Road

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A grubby win but a clean sheet. Beneath the baseball cap, Tony Pulis could not help but smile.

This was a game that could have got away from West Brom, those misers who would appear to pride themselves as much for what they stop as what they take. But if any side can ride the sort of storm that Norwich brought in the first half, it is one managed by Pulis.

That is not to say the away side were terribly impressive defensively. Plenty of chances were conceded because of their own errors in the first half, but they have that valuable knack of somehow keeping balls out of nets – six times they have now kept a clean sheet in the Premier League this season. That number stretches to a division-high 16 when you include all the games played since Pulis took over in January. 

West Brom striker Salomon Rondon netted his second Premier League goal to open the scoring for the visitors at Carrow Road

The 26-year-old Venezuela striker rose highest to head home past John Ruddy following a superb delivery by James McClean

Rondon is mobbed by his West Brom team-mates after scoring the opening goal in the Premier League clash with Norwich City

Norwich midfielder Wes Hoolahan has an opportunity to net his side's first goal of the afternoon but fails to test Boaz Myhill

PLAYER RATINGS, PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE AND MATCH ZONE

 

Norwich (4-4-1-1): Ruddy 6.5; Martin 6, Bennett 6, Bassong 5, Brady 6; Redmond 6.5, Howson 6.5, Tettey 6, Jarvis 6.5; Hoolahan 6.5 (Jerome 78); Mbokani 5

Subs not used: Rudd, Whittaker, Grabban, Dorrans, Olsson, O'Neil

Booked: Howson

West Brom (4-2-3-1): Myhill 7; Dawson 5, McAuley 6, Evans 6.5, Brunt 7.5; Fletcher 6.5, Yacob 6; Sessegnon 7, Berahino 6 (Gardner 88), McClean 7; Rondon 6.5 (Lambert 74).

Subs not used: Lindegaard, Olsson, Chester, Anichebe, McManaman

Booked: McClean, Brunt

MOM: Chris Brunt

Referee: Kevin Friend 5 

Attendance: 26,983

Salomon Rondon netted the winner in the first half. Click here for more of Match Zone.

With that kind of foundation, as Pulis has so often proved at his clubs, there is always a chance. Here, it ensured they were in the game when a chance fell to Salomon Rondon in the 46th minute and he headed the winner.

Pulis said: 'The back four and the goalkeeper are jumping up and down about another clean sheet but I was more pleased with the quality going forward.

'We talk about the clean sheets because of the record I have got. But I also like to play wide players and we had Stephane Sessegnon on the right and James McClean on the left was magnificent. I was really pleased.

'We played well. We should have scored more but fair play to the lads – they really deserved that.'

Norwich City centre back Ryan Bennett and midfielder Jonny Howson challenge Craig Dawson in an attempt to clear the ball 

Saido Berahino (right) prepares to deliver the ball into the box during the first half of West Brom's Premier League clash at Norwich

West Brom's Chris Brunt (right) drives forward for Tony Pulis' team but is closely followed by Norwich midfielder Alexander Tettey

Norwich star winger Nathan Redmond surges forward for the hosts and delivers the ball into the box ahead of West Brom's Brunt

West Brom forward Stephane Sessegnon (right) attempts a shot at goal during the goalless first half at Carrow Road

James McClean, who was criticised for his post-match celebrations in last weekend's win over former team Sunderland, runs with the ball

There must also have been an element of relief for Pulis, whose side were booed during the win over Sunderland last week because of the basic nature of their attacks. 

They were far more fluid and inventive here, even if their goals tally remains painfully low after a match against the most fragile defence in the division.

That is one major concern for Alex Neil, not to mention their run of three straight defeats and the forthcoming run of games against Manchester City, Swansea, Chelsea and Arsenal, with a Capital One Cup fixture against Everton thrown in.

He said: 'I wouldn't say it is worrying times. It is not a nice time - I have never even lost two league games in a row never mind three. 

'Yes you are concerned - I'm looking at what I can do to put it right.'

The Scot will know his side could have led in the first half, with Matt Jarvis comfortably able to dominate his duel with Craig Dawson and good chances falling to Nathan Redmond and Wes Hoolahan. Over the whole game, Norwich actually had 16 shots to West Brom’s seven.

But the devil was in the detail – West Brom’s chances were simply better. 

Dawson fluffed a header from four yards at the end of the first half and Rondon, a £12million record signing, made the difference at the start of the second, making the most of some weak Norwich defending on a counter attack and heading in an excellent McClean cross.

West Brom manager Tony Pulis delivers instructions from the Carrow Road touchline during Saturday's Premier League tie in Norwich

Former Birmingham winger Redmond reacts on the Carrow Road turf after missing an opportunity to open the scoring on Saturday

Norwich City defender Ryan Bennett (left) competes for the ball with West Brom's second-choice goalkeeper Boaz Myhill

Jonny Howson competes in the middle of the park with opponent Claudio Yacob during the first half of their Premier League clash

West Brom forward Stephane Sessegnon beats Norway international Tettey to the ball during their top flight clash on Saturday afternoon

Former Wales international Myhill grimaces on the turf as Tony Pulis' men bid to replicate last weekend's victory over Sunderland

West Bromwich Albion defender Gareth McAuley and Norwich's midfield maestro Wes Hoolahan battle to win the ball at Carrow Road

Former Sunderland forward Sessegnon shields the ball from Howson as the Norwich midfielder attempts to win the ball 

Brunt, who has been deployed as a left back by manager Tony Pulis, sticks out his left leg in an attempt to challenge Redmond

Norwich City manager Alex Neil cuts a dejected figure on the Carrow Road touchline during his side's top flight clash with West Brom