Norwich City produced a ruthless second-half display to thrash West Bromwich Albion 5-0 at The Hawthorns, deepening the hosts' alarming slump in the Championship. Oscar Schwartau's spectacular early strike put Philippe Clement's side in control before goals from Ali Ahmed, Anis Ben Slimane, Ben Chrisene and substitute Mathias Kvistgaarden completed a humbling afternoon for Albion.
Eric Ramsay's team, booed off at half-time and subjected to angry chants as the scoreline worsened, have now lost four league games in succession and eight of their last ten. Norwich, by contrast, moved to within a point of their hosts, with five different scorers punishing West Brom's defensive frailty and wastefulness in front of goal.
Schwartau's long-range stunner breaks a quiet start
For the opening quarter of an hour there was little sign of the rout to come. The contest began cautiously, with both sides feeling their way into the game, until Denmark under-21 international Oscar Schwartau abruptly changed the tone in the 16th minute. Collecting a short pass from Kenny McLean, the midfielder took aim from around 25 yards and drilled a sweet, low drive into the bottom corner, leaving goalkeeper Josh Griffiths rooted.