Incident in Norwich City v West Brom match sparks huge reaction | OneFootball

Aune Heggebo's opener in the Baggies' win at Carrow Road was rather controversial

Aune Heggebo's 75th-minute opener in West Bromwich Albion's 2-1 victory against Norwich City at Carrow Road has been the major flashpoint of the Championship's opening weekend, sparking huge reactions on social media.

The encounter between the Canaries and Baggies in Norfolk was seen as one of the more intriguing encounters which marked the second tier's return, with both sides enjoying strong ends to last season under Philippe Clement and James Morrison.

However, a heroic goalkeeping display from Max O'Leary saw the West Midlands side eventually punish their hosts for missing a glut of chances, as Heggebo and Jimmy-Jay Morgan's strikes meant that Mathias Kvistgaarden's late strike for Norwich wasn't going to stop them from sealing three points.

Albion were the third-worst performing side on their travels in the Championship last season, but have already emerged victorious twice on the road in league and cup, which will please Morrison above all else.

However, the reaction which followed Heggebo's 11th goal for the club wasn't unexpected either.

Aune Heggebo's opener for West Brom v Norwich City causes huge social media stir

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It is clear that referee, Tim Robinson, was unable to spot the controversial way in which Heggebo's opener flew past Vladan Kovacevic, with a slow-motion replay coming after allegations that the Norwegian handled a fizzing square ball from Morgan into the net from a matter of yards.

ITV Football posted said replay with the simple question of: "Should the goal have stood?," which caused a major stir in the replies.

A clearly disgruntled Norwich supporter responded: "Why have you used the word alleged? He punched it in and then had the audacity to celebrate. Zero morals."

Meanwhile, an Albion fan said: "I'm a baggie and I can't make my mind up either way really, I've watched it a few times and I can't make out if it was knee first or hand first tbh."

Another West Brom supporter was clearly in agreement with the majority, adding: Of course it shouldn’t have counted.. it was a hand ball.. it hey ho, 1-2 to the baggies. boing boing."

Whilst Norwich supporters were, understandably frustrated, a Southampton supporter was quick to remember Jovon Makama's goal against his side last December at Carrow Road, saying: "Its a handball but norwich did the same against Southampton last season its swings and roundabouts still better than having VAR."

A similar opinion was given from one Norwich fan, who wrote: "Swings and roundabouts. We’ll get some dodgy decisions no doubt throughout the season."

Another Canaries supporter said: "#ncfc played football; #wba preferred handball. The Ref didn’t seem to care which rules to apply."

Meanwhile, another verdict on the controversial strike read: "But football is “better” in the championship with no VAR," followed by two laughing emojis in reaction to the fact the goal would have almost certainly been ruled out in the top-flight.

Philippe Clement bemused by allowing of Aune Heggebo's Carrow Road goal

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Although his side were clearly not at their best in terms of cutting edge after having 20 shots, 32 touches in West Brom's penalty area and an overall xG of 2.96, Clement was clearly bemused by the awarding of the goal.

“It was clearly with the arm that the player scores – we could see that from where we were watching, 50 yards away," the Belgian stated.

“It was the decisive moment in the game and should have been spotted.

“There are four officials and one of them should have seen it. Maybe the referee didn’t have the best view – but the linesman on our side needs to see that. Missing game-changing moments like this shouldn’t happen – it has cost us at least two, maybe three points.”

Norwich City will be fuelled by West Brom anger in Millwall away clash

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Norwich made a positive start to their competitive season by seeing off MK Dons in the EFL Cup, but it is clear their Championship opener didn't go to plan despite the data favouring them significantly.

As such, Clement's side will be fuelled by the decision and his post-match comments, which show a belief that his side should have taken at least a point from the game, which could have been viewed as a positive step later in the season in a potential play-off battle.