EPL: West Brom 1-0 Bournemouth

Ahmed Hegazi scores from a corner

A header from a corner by Ahmed Hegazi on his debut secured West Brom an opening day win against Bournemouth at the Hawthorns.

The Baggies took all three points in a relatively comfortable win to kick off their Premier League season as Hegazi (30) powered in the decisive goal from point-blank range.

Despite dominating possession, particularly in the second half, Bournemouth struggled to break down a compact, organised West Brom defence who were rarely troubled all afternoon.

West Brom's threat from set-pieces proved to be the difference, with Hegazi enjoying a day to remember.

The contest began slowly but Jay Rodriguez looked keen to impress his new boss Pulis, who signed a new two-year contract on Friday. The former Southampton striker tested Asmir Begovic early with a shot from distance before having a close-range attempt saved by the Bosnia international.

West Brom, a notoriously threatening side from set-pieces, profited from another one as Chris Brunt's in-swinging cross towards the penalty box was headed in by Hegazi from close range.

The Egypt international nearly scored another two minutes later, but his strike from just outside the box went narrowly over the bar.

The Baggies kept applying the pressure in an opening half where Bournemouth struggled to forge any real clear-cut opportunites. And, just minutes before the break, Ben Foster made a crucial slide tackle on Josh King to prevent him from having a shot on goal.

West Brom started the second half brightly and continually proved dangerous from corners. Brunt had a corner cleared off the line while Phillips' ball in for Claudio Yacob struck the post.

 

Bournemouth enjoyed the lions share of possession for the rest of the match, but they could not find a way past the resolute West Brom defence and had just two shots on target all game. Substitute Salomon Rondon would have scored for Albion in injury time if it not for Begovic, who tipped his curling strike around the post.