Albion's 100 per cent pre-season record ended with a 1-1 draw against Chris Hughton's old club Norwich City at Carrow Road today.

Summer signing Pascal Gross nodded the Seagulls ahead, but Marley Watkins levelled with a sweet strike before the break.

Norwich, unbeaten in their previous seven friendlies against modest opposition under new German head coach Daniel Farke, opened brightly.

Shane Duffy blocked Cameron Jerome's low drive into the box and Worthing-born midfielder Harrison Reed, signed on loan by the Canaries from Southampton, shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.

The Argus: Gross gave Albion the lead with their first meaningful attack in the 21st, guiding a neat header into the far corner from the overlapping Bruno's cross to the near post (above).

The Seagulls were much more comfortable after that until Watkins rattled a 42nd minute equaliser past Mathew Ryan via the underside of the crossbar (below).

The Argus: Albion's new Australian No.1 had no chance of stopping the first goal conceded by Hughton's squad in more than five hours of pre-season action.

Izzy Brown replaced Gross in the No.10 role for the second half and Gaetan Bong came on at left-back, Markus Suttner moving further forward at the expense of the substituted Jamie Murphy.

Norwich swapped trademark yellow and green for their purple away kit after the break, a week ahead of their first Championship fixture at home to Fulham.

Solly March, who scored three goals in the previous two friendlies against Southend and Crawley, was kept on a tight rein by the hosts (below) as both sides found it difficult to carve out chances.

Albion were saved by the woodwork seven minutes from time when Norwich sub Nelson Oliveira cut in for a spectacular effort from 25 yards which struck the far post, with Ryan beaten. 

Norwich (4-1-4-1): Gunn; Martin (Godfrey 80), Zimmermann, Franke, Husband; Reed; Wildschut (Tettey 80), Vrancic, Maddison (Naismith 69), Watkins; Jerome (Oliveira 69). Subs not used: Matthews, McGovern.

Albion (4-4-1-1): Ryan; Bruno (Rosenior 71), Dunk, Duffy (Goldson 77), Suttner; March (Skalak 82), Stephens, Kayal (Sidwell 61), Murphy (Bong 46); Gross (Brown 46); Murray (Hemed 77). Subs not used: Maenpaa.

Referee: Darren Deadman.

Attendance: 12,907

 

The Argus: