Perhaps it was inevitable after 18 months of largely empty stadia that supporters would return in their droves for a humdinger. West Brom twice levelled at Bournemouth as a see-sawing and sometimes wild Championship curtain-raiser was played out in front of a sell-out crowd.
At full time Scott Parker took a quiet moment to himself on the pitch, gazing into the stands to thank supporters as they headed for the exits before clicking his knuckles together. “Welcome to the Championship,” was his initial post-match synopsis. Callum Robinson’s fine first-time finish earned a point and both teams had chances to win it, Karlan Grant blasting a vicious strike wide minutes after David Button superbly denied David Brooks, plunging down to his right to parry round the post. Sixty-seven days on from the League Two play-off final, the Football League is firmly back up and running.
Both teams have big aspirations this season and both appointed highly regarded managers in the summer to try to earn a ticket back to the Premier League. Scott Parker, in a grey blazer and tie, was given a warm ovation when introduced to a sell-out crowd before kick-off and along the touchline the strapping frame of Valérien Ismaël was soon visibly shaping his team into his style, asking his players to press high and prove awkward opponents. “What I saw from the first minute is exactly what I and West Brom need,” Ismaël said. “We need players who are ready to invest from the first minute.”
West Brom forced an early corner through Grady Diangana inside 25 seconds and shaded the first half, finishing on top after Dara O’Shea’s headed equaliser. It was no surprise Albion’s first goal of the Ismaël era came via a set piece – only Cardiff scored more goals from set pieces last season – and the defender beat Jordan Zemura, one of three Bournemouth academy graduates making their debuts and 11 in the squad, to nod in Conor Townsend’s looping cross after recycling a long throw. Moments later Robinson poked in on the goalline but Albion were penalised for crowding out the Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers, and on the brink of the interval Kyle Bartley headed over after a period of head tennis.
Bournemouth opened the scoring when Jaidon Anthony, another academy youngster, played a smart give-and-go with Philip Billing and the former cut the ball back towards the penalty spot, where Emiliano Marcondes applied a neat finish on his debut. Billing helped Bournemouth regain the lead when seizing on the loose ends following a slick break, calmly pocketing the ball into the corner after Anthony and Zemura combined. Gavin Kilkenny was arguably the pick of the debutants, however, the Irishman excellent at the base of midfield.
“It was a match against a very experienced side who constantly looked to put us under pressure with their physical presence and playing for corners and set plays,” Parker said. “We had a young, young team out there and I am immensely proud of what they stood up to. We had to constantly stand up to it – sometimes you can see teams wilt a little bit and fade away.”
West Brom are adjusting to Ismaël’s methods and during their training session on the morning of the game, a staple routine at Barnsley last season, it became clear the summer signing Matt Clarke would not be able to play owing to a hip injury, leaving Albion with six substitutes. Matheus Pereira has departed for Al Hilal, while Robert Snodgrass and Adam Reach are not yet fit.
Robinson was lively and having volleyed narrowly wide when Bournemouth failed to clear, it was no surprise it was the striker who punished the hosts after Alex Mowatt, Ismaël’s captain last season, turned over possession. Mowatt slipped a teasing ball across goal and Robinson applied a classy finishing touch. “I saw a lot of positive points,” Ismaël said.