West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer may have singlehandedly kept their playoff hopes alive and kicking after one moment of magic against Norwich on Boxing Day.
Brandon Thomas-Asante hit the only goal of the game as Carlos Corberan’s promotion-chasing Baggies beat the Canaries 1-0 on Tuesday (26 December) returning to winning ways with only their second win in six games.
West Brom were aided by a Norwich red card after midfielder Borja Sainz was first yellow-carded, then sent off for a second after wielding an imaginary card at the referee James Bell.
The result pulled the Baggies just three points clear in the playoff place in sixth place and six points from their next opponents Leeds United who they face on Friday evening (29 December).
Thomas-Asante’s goal was his seventh of the campaign for West Brom – equalling his tally from the whole of last season but Corberan will have had Palmer to thank after producing yet another crucial save when the game was at 1-0.
In fact, the Baggies ever-present has enjoyed a tremendous week despite West Brom picking up just three points from their last two games.
Despite the 1-0 loss to Middlesbrough on 23 December, if not for Palmer, it could have been a damaging loss for Corberan’s men after a string of fine saves from the 27-year-old.
Birmingham Live journalist Joe Chapman took to his personal Twitter account (23 December) to heap praise on the senior goalkeeper after a tremendous point-blank save, one of many as Middlesbrough ran riot but only had one goal to show for it.
As per SofaScore, Palmer recorded three saves, three saves inside the box, registered a goals-prevented figure of 1.05, and completed 96% of his 27 passes, considerably more than the likes of Jed Wallace, who he also completed more passes with Wallace completing just 12 all game.
The 1-0 win against Norwich not only kept West Brom strong favourites in the playoff chase but he also recorded his 11th clean sheet of the campaign – the most in the division [Transfermarkt] – after yet another crucial individual moment.
Palmer had to remain alert throughout and, late on, he made a vital one-handed save from Norwich substitute Hwang Ui-jo to preserve all three points for Albion.
It was a save which left Express & Star journalist Lewis Cox wowed, posting on his X account (23 December): “Magnificent save Alex Palmer to deny sub Hwang’s header. All Albion and then bang. Top low stop.”
It certainly seems as if the West Brom shot-stopper is producing moment after moment to keep his side firmly in the promotion chase and while scoring goals has been an inconsistent issue at The Hawthorns this season, keeping them out at the other end always gives them a chance and Palmer is always the main protagonist.
