Remembering West Brom’s first visits to new stadiums

Follow us on Google Discover

West Bromwich Albion make their first visit to West Ham United’s new London Stadium this weekend.

St Mary’s Stadium

Southampton 1-0 West Brom (1st March, 2003 – Premier League)

Two years after Southampton swapped The Dell for St Mary’s, West Bromwich Albion arrived on the South Coast for their first visit. In front of a crowd of over 31,000, the Saints eased to a 1-0 win over their visitors, courtesy of James Beattie’s first-half strike.

Albion supporters might better remember the game for left-back Ifeanyi Udeze’s mistake in the build-up to the goal. The Nigerian, who was on the losing side in eight of his ten appearances for Albion, would be replaced by Neil Clement in the 25^th minute.

Koumas, Berahino and Earnie; remembering West Brom’s transfer rebels

Etihad Stadium

Manchester City 1-1 West Brom (28^th December, 2004 – Premier League)

West Brom’s first trip to the Etihad Stadium resulted in an unlikely point for Bryan Robson’s side. The Baggies went down to ten-men in the 17^th minute when Thomas Gaardsoe was shown red for a professional foul on Robbie Fowler.

To make matters worse for the visitors, future Albion forward Nicolas Anelka put the Citizens into a 32^nd minute and the hosts looked to be cruising to all three points. However, West Brom stayed in the game and got their reward when Richard Dunne converted Paul Robinson’s searching ball into his own net.

Despite picking up another point in their following trip to the Etihad, the Baggies are yet to win at City’s new ground.

West Brom’s ‘forgotten’ transfers XI featuring Sekou Berthe

KCOM Stadium

Hull City 0-1 West Brom (3rd February, 2007 – Championship)

The Baggies took all three points in their debut match at the KCOM Stadium – formerly known as the KC Stadium. A man of the match performance from Jason Koumas helped inspire Tony Mowbray’s side to continue their push up the Championship table, as Diomansy Kamara scored the decisive goal.

Emirates Stadium

Arsenal 1-0 West Brom (16^th August, 2008 – Premier League)

It only took four minutes for West Brom to concede their first goal at the Emirates. Samir Nasir stroked home the only goal of the game to give the home side a winning start to their Premier League campaign. Albion’s only win at the Emirates came two years later when Roberto Di Matteo’s team ran out 3-2 winners.

Cardiff City Stadium

Cardiff City 1-1 West Brom (16th February, 2010 – Championship)

After years of enduring the intimidating atmosphere at Ninian Park, West Brom came back from behind to earn a point in their first outing at the Cardiff City Stadium. Peter Whittingham put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot in the 4^th minute before Gianni Zuiverloon equalised deep into first-half stoppage time for the Baggies.

Livermore performance vindicates West Brom’s cautious transfer policy

Liberty Stadium

Swansea City 0-2 West Brom (16^th March, 2010 – Championship)

West Brom had to wait five years to visit the Liberty Stadium after Swansea moved out of Vent Park in 2005. It proved to be worth the wait, as Roberto Di Matteo’s side cemented their place in the top two of the Championship with a 2-0 win.

The visitors were awarded a controversial penalty when Giles Barnes went down under Angel Rangel’s tackle. Graham Dorrans stepped up to convert the spot-kick before Ishmael Miller wrapped up the points in the 89^th minute.