Jimmy-Jay Morgan added a fifth goal to his season tally as West Brom continued their impressive opening run with a 1-0 triumph over Watford at The Hawthorns in the English Championship. The 20-year-old, who arrived at the club for a £1.3 million fee in the summer, found the net in the 36th minute, marking his third league strike of the campaign and his first ever at the home ground. The goal helped extend Albion's unbeaten streak at home to ten matches, underscoring the team's growing confidence on familiar turf. The contest unfolded as a tale of two distinct halves.
In the opening period, Morgan was denied on two separate occasions, while Watford's forward Aune Heggebo also saw his chance erased. After the interval, Watford created two further opportunities but were unable to convert, leaving the visitors still searching for an away win. In fact, Watford have now failed to win on the road in nine consecutive trips, a barren run that began back in February.
Early in the game, Watford applied aggressive pressure on West Brom's midfield, seeking to unsettle the hosts. Their first meaningful chance came when Moroccan winger Othmane Maamma forced goalkeeper Max O'Leary into a crucial block with a well‑timed leg‑off.
The sequence that led to Maamma's involvement began when Hector Kyprianou dispossessed Ousmane Diakite, allowing Martin Payero to surge forward from deep positions. Payero slipped the ball to the Moroccan attacker, who then threatened the goal. West Brom answered swiftly.
A long ball from defender Chris Mepham found Morgan in space, but his low effort was comfortably saved by Watford's keeper Federico Ravaglia. The early exchanges highlighted the intensity of the match, with both sides testing each other's defensive resolve. At one point, it appeared that Albion might have taken the lead earlier. In the 34th minute, Morgan seemed to head the ball out of Ravaglia's grasp after a deflected cross from Nolan Galves.
However, the referee ruled the effort illegal for a foul, nullifying what would have been a dramatic opening goal. The decision sparked a brief protest from the crowd, and Morgan received a yellow card that many observers felt was overly harsh.
The deadlock was broken just two minutes later. After Isaac Price delivered a precise cross into the box, Harry Whitwell cut the ball back to Morgan, who calmly tapped it into the net to give West Brom a 1-0 advantage. The goal was a textbook example of quick inter‑player movement and composure in front of goal. Watford made a tactical change at halftime, bringing on Edo Kayembe for left‑back Jordan Zemura.
The substitution injected fresh energy, and the visitors pressed forward with renewed vigor. Spaniard Iker Bravo unleashed a first‑time shot that was blocked from a Luca Kjerrumgaard cross, while Martin Payero later saw his close‑range effort sail over the bar after Maamma headed down a deep delivery from Edoardo Bove. Midway through the second half, Whitwell continued to showcase his potential.
In the 63rd minute, he charged down the right flank, drawing a booking for Kayembe after a physical tussle. Watford responded with another chance when Bravo attempted a weak straight‑on effort at O'Leary from a promising centre by Keben.
West Brom had the opportunity to double their lead in the 71st minute. Whitwell produced a clever reverse pass that split Heggebo's defense, setting up Norway striker Aune Heggebo for a one‑on‑one with Ravaglia.
The striker tried to lift the ball over the keeper, but Ravaglia smothered the attempt and quickly rolled it out for a corner. Substitute Stephy Mavididi later tried to equalise, but his angled strike flew high over the bar after he twisted past his marker. In the closing stages, West Brom thought they might have earned a penalty when substitute Felix Horn Myhre appeared to be pushed while challenging for the ball from Keben. A chaotic scramble followed, and Bravo received a yellow card after pushing Waterson substitute Jayson Molumby in the corner area.
The match ended with West Brom holding on to their solitary goal, preserving their unbeaten home run. The result leaves Watford's away form in stark contrast to their home performances, as they continue to search for a breakthrough on the road. For West Brom, the victory not only adds three points but also reinforces the impact of their summer acquisitions, particularly the young Morgan, whose goal-scoring exploits are already proving vital for the club's ambitions this season.
The win also provides a morale boost ahead of their upcoming fixtures, as they aim to maintain momentum and climb the Championship table.