The main focal point of the Championship’s first weekend was Aune Heggebo’s goal in the 75th minute of West Bromwich Albion’s 2-1 victory over Norwich City at Carrow Road, which caused intense social media reactions.

With both teams having excellent finishes to the previous season under Philippe Clement and James Morrison, the match between the Canaries and Baggies in Norfolk was seen as one of the more interesting games that signalling the return of the second tier.

However, Heggebo and Jimmy-Jay Morgan’s goals ensured that Mathias Kvistgaarden’s late goal for Norwich would not prevent the West Midlands team from securing three points, as Max O’Leary’s heroic goalkeeping performance ultimately punished their hosts for squandering a plethora of opportunities.

Morrison will be most pleased with Albion because they were the third-worst travelling team in the Championship the previous season, but they have already won two league and cup games away from home.

But the response to Heggebo’s 11th goal for the team was also not surprising.

The West Brom vs. Norwich City opener by Aune Heggebo creates a tremendous social media storm.

With a slow-motion review following claims that the Norwegian handled a fizzing square ball from Morgan into the net from just yards away, it is evident that referee Tim Robinson failed to notice the contentious manner in which Heggebo’s opening goal sailed past Vladan Kovacevic.

“Should the goal have stood?” was the straightforward question ITV Football used to broadcast the replay, and it created quite a stir in the comments.

“Why have you used the word alleged?” replied a visibly irate Norwich supporter. He had no morality, punched it in, and then dared to rejoice.

Meanwhile, a fan of Albion 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.”

“Of course it shouldn’t have counted.. it was a hand ball.. it hey ho, 1-2 to the baggies. boing boing,” said another West Brom fan who was obviously in accord with the majority.

Aune Heggebo Stats: Norwich City 1-2 West Brom

Played Minutes: 90

Objectives

1 xG

1.0 Shots 3 Touches 31 Touches in the Penalty Area

3

Fotmob is the source

While Norwich fans were understandably irritated, a Southampton fan quickly recalled Jovon Makama’s goal against his team at Carrow Road in December of last year, stating, “Its a handball but norwich did the same against Southampton last season its swings and roundabouts still better than having VAR.”

One Norwich supporter expressed a similar viewpoint, writing: “Swings and roundabouts. Throughout the season, there will undoubtedly be some dubious choices made.

Another Canaries fan commented: #wba preferred handball, whereas #ncfc played football. Which regulations to apply didn’t appear to matter to the referee.

Another assessment of the contentious strike was, “But football is “better” in the championship with no VAR,” followed by two laughing emojis in response to the likelihood that the goal would have been disallowed in the top division.

Aune Heggebo’s Carrow Road goal left Philippe Clement perplexed.

With 20 shots, 32 touches in West Brom’s penalty area, and an overall xG of 2.96, his team was obviously not at their best in terms of cutting edge, but Clement was obviously perplexed by the goal’s award.

The Belgian said, “From where we were watching, fifty yards away, we could see that the player scored with the arm.”

“It should have been noticed because it was the game’s pivotal moment.

One of the four officials ought to have noticed it. The linesman on our side needed to see that, even though the referee may not have had the finest perspective. We have lost at least two, possibly three points as a result of missing game-changing opportunities like these.

West Brom’s rage will inspire Norwich City in their away match against Millwall.

Norwich defeated MK Dons in the EFL Cup to start their competitive season on a bright note, but despite the stats strongly favouring them, it is evident that their Championship debut did not go as planned.

Because of this, Clement’s team will be motivated by the ruling and his post-match remarks, which indicate that he believes his team should have gained at least a point from the game, which might have been seen as a step in the right direction in a possible play-off encounter later in the season.

City’s next journey is away to Millwall, where they defeated former manager Alex Neil 2-1 on Easter Monday. The Lions are also looking to improve on their 2-0 victory at Bristol City.