Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Sat 2 May 2026 14:29, UK

West Bromwich Albion ruined James Morrison‘s first game in charge as permanent boss as they slumped to a dismal 2-1 loss to Championship basement side Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls had won one game all season, way back in September, but West Brom looked like the side heading into League One for the majority of the encounter.

Nathaniel Chalobah bundled the ball home in the 36th minute after the away side failed to deal with a free-kick, as West Brom conceded for the first time in six matches.

Four minutes later, it was 2-0 as Liam Palmer capitalised on some scrappy defending from a corner as the Yorkshire outfit deservedly doubled their lead.

West Brom rang the changes in the second half but were still dreadful. That was, until, Karlan Grant, stabbed in an instinctive finish in the 81st minute but it wasn’t enough as their season ended on a sour note.

Aune Heggebo deservedly hooked at half-time

Going by some of the statistics, Aune Heggebo didn’t do a great deal wrong. However, Morrison took off the 24-year-old as he clearly wasn’t happy with his attacking contribution.

Indeed, the Norwegian offered precious little as he gave Wednesday’s defence an easy ride.

However, he was dispossessed twice, he won none of his three ground duels, and he was dribbled past once. Together Heggebo and Josh Maja formed a very lethargic duo in the Baggies’ frontline.

While a return of nine goals and four assists is not a bad return in his first season at West Brom, Heggebo has only scored once in the league in 2026.

If he wants to start next season, those numbers have to improve.

Oliver Bostock has work to do

West Brom have high hopes for Ollie Bostock. The 19-year-old has been at the club since 2013 and made his senior debut this season.

On his second start of the campaign, however, Bostock struggled to make an impact in a West Brom side that seemed to be “on the beach”.

He had 19 touches, was dispossessed twice, was 0/1 on accurate long balls and crosses and the teenager won 2/4 ground duels.

That, and more, led to his withdrawal at the interval. It is still early days for the youngster, but he needs to do more when handed a rare start like this.

Incidentally, after going on a 10-match unbeaten run, the Midlands outfit put in their worst display of this encouraging Morrison era. Some West Brom fans joked they wanted their caretaker manager back after this performance.

How West Brom’s players rated vs Sheffield Wednesday

Max O’Leary – 5

Danny Imray – 5

Alfie Gilchrist – 4

George Campbell – 5

Callum Styles – 5

Ollie Bostock – 3

Ousmane Diakite – 4

Alex Mowatt – 4

Isaac Price – 5

Aune Heggebo – 3

Josh Maja – 4

Substitutes:

Daryl Dike – 5

Karlan Grant – 6

Tammer Bany – 5

Jed Wallace – N/A

Souleyman Mandey – N/A