English-born Ghanaian forward Brandon Thomas-Asante propelled West Bromwich Albion to a narrow home victory over Norwich City in the English Championship on Christmas' Boxing Day.
The Baggies were aided by playing with an extra man for more than an hour after a mad three minutes, in which Norwich midfielder Borja Sainz was first yellow-carded, then sent off.
First, on the half hour, he was booked for a challenge on Grady Diangana and then, after having an effort denied by Albion keeper Alex Palmer, on 33 minutes, he waved an imaginary yellow card of his own towards referee James Bell.
But Bell responded by waving the real thing back at him - which meant a second yellow, Sainz red-carded and Norwich having to play out two-thirds of the game a man short.
Despite being overwhelmingly the better side throughout, it took until five minutes into the second half for the Baggies to break through.
Another tempting right-wing cross from home skipper Jed Wallace was met by Diangana, who headed down for Thomas-Asante - and the potential Africa Cup of Nations striker prodded home his seventh Championship goal of the season to end the Canaries' five-game unbeaten run.
The 25-year-old, who enjoyed the entire duration of the match, has now scored seven goals and provided two assists in 22 games for the Baggies.Thomas-Asante ends 2023 as the top scorer of West Bromwich Albion.
His scintillating performances in the Championship earned him a place in Ghana's preliminary squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
He is expected to make the final squad list for the tournament to be hosted in Ivory Coast from January to February 2024.
