Jimmy-Jay Morgan added a fifth goal to his season tally, helping West Bromwich Albion maintain their impressive early‑season form 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 reported £1.3 million in the summer transfer window, found the net in the 36th minute, marking his third league strike of the campaign and his inaugural goal at the historic ground.
The win extended Albion's unbeaten run at home to ten matches, underscoring the side's growing confidence on their own turf. The encounter unfolded as a classic two‑half battle.
In the opening period, Morgan was denied twice, while Watford forward Aune Heggebo also saw two of his attempts thwarted. The second half saw Watford miss two further chances, highlighting the difficulty the visitors have encountered away from home – they have now failed to win in nine consecutive away fixtures, a slump that began in February. Early pressure from Watford targeted Albion's midfield, with Moroccan winger Othmane Maamma forcing goalkeeper Max O'Leary into a crucial block using his leg. Maamma's chance emerged after Hector Kyprianou dispossessed Ousmane Diakite, allowing Martin Payero to surge forward from deep and slip the ball to the forward on his right.
Albion responded quickly: Morgan's low drive was saved by goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia after a long ball from defender Chris Mepham. The match also featured a controversial moment in the 34th minute when Morgan appeared to head the ball out of Ravaglia's hands following a deflected cross from Nolan Galves. The referee disallowed the goal, citing a foul, which left the home crowd somewhat subdued and sparked debate over the harshness of the booking issued to Morgan.
Nevertheless, the deadlock was broken shortly thereafter. In the 36th minute, Morgan tapped home a cut‑back from Harry Whitwell, who had surged into the box after Isaac Price delivered a precise cross. The goal gave the hosts a crucial lead and set the tone for the remainder of the game. At halftime, Watford made a tactical adjustment, introducing Edo Kayembe for left‑back Jordan Zemura, who had suffered a knee injury.
The visitors pressed forward again after the break. Spanish youngster Iker Bravo unleashed a first‑time shot that was blocked from a cross by Luca Kjerrumgaard, while Martin Payero later struck over the bar from close range after Maamma headed down a deep cross from Edoardo Bove. Whitwell continued to showcase his potential, prompting a booking for Kayembe after a physical tussle in the 63rd minute when Whitwell charged down the right flank.
Watford's attempts persisted, with Bravo managing only a weak glancing effort at O'Leary from a promising centre by Keben. Albion nearly doubled their advantage in the 71st minute. Whitwell delivered a deft reverse pass that split Heggebo, and the Norwegian striker lifted a shot over Ravaglia, only for the goalkeeper to smuggle the ball behind for a corner.
Substitute Stephy Mavididi later had an opportunity to equalise, but his effort flew high over the bar after he twisted past his marker on the angle. In the dying moments, Albion seemed poised for a penalty when substitute Felix Horn Myhre appeared to be pushed over the ball by Keben. A chaotic melee followed, during which Bravo received a booking for pushing substitute Jayson Molumby in the corner area. Post‑match, West Brom manager James Morrison praised Morgan's performance, noting the player's intense pressing and defensive contributions: "I challenged him before the game – it was his third match in a week, so can he do it?
You could see it in his pressing because it was a different side to him with the amount of blocks he made. I'm surprised really by how good he is. It's credit to the recruitment team for finding him. He looks comfortable but we just need to keep on with his work rate.
He's proved he can do it. The challenge now is can he maintain that level? I believe he can. He has that youthfulness, freshness and a bit of swagger – those qualities will take him far." Watford boss Alessio Dionisi reflected on the narrow loss, acknowledging the team's effort but emphasizing the need for goals: "We deserved a draw but if you don't score, it's impossible to win.
We showed the right mentality but the result was negative. We played well, yet we need to get into the box better to find a positive result.
West Brom away is not easy, but my team stayed competitive for 90 minutes." Injury woes continue to plague Watford, who are currently missing four full‑backs. This forced Albert Eames to make his full‑league debut at right‑back. Midfielder Edo Kayembe was also deployed at left‑back after Zemura's knee injury forced his substitution at the interval.
Dionisi added that the congested schedule – eight games including Carabao Cup fixtures before the international break – has compounded the squad's challenges. Overall, the match highlighted West Brom's resilience at home and the impact of a young, hungry striker in Morgan.
Watford, despite their struggles, demonstrated moments of promise and will look to address their defensive shortages and goal‑scoring issues as they aim to reverse their away‑form slump in the coming weeks.