West Brom beat Blackburn 1 0 at the Hawthorns

An editorial take on West Brom's opening day win and the attacking approach under Ryan Mason.

West Brom show attacking intent after opening day win

Head coach Ryan Mason led West Brom to a 1-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at the Hawthorns on the opening day. The performance underlined an attacking approach, with high energy and numbers flooding the final third. The front line featured new striker Aune Heggebo supported by Isaac Price, while Tom Fellows and Karlan Grant offered width and options. Jayson Molumby supplied energy from midfield as Albion moved the ball quickly and pressed high to win the ball back.

The hosts created more chances than the one-goal margin suggested, and Blackburn grew into the game in the second half as they sought a point. The result gives Mason a positive early signal though finishing remains a focus, and the balance between pressing and defending will be tested as the fixtures pile up.

This win hints at a shift under Mason toward more aggressive pressing and faster transitions. By using a front line of Heggebo with Price and wide men, Albion aims to stretch defenses and create overloads. The approach relies on energy from the midfield and quickLINK forward passes to exploit spaces before opponents can settle.

The challenge is consistency and finishing. If defenses adapt, Albion will need to maintain tempo and smarter movement in the final third. The Hawthorns crowd will feel the momentum and hold the team to accountability, which can raise expectations in the early part of the season.

Highlights

Momentum on opening day sets the tone, but the real test comes in the next run of matches.