Jonny Drury analysis: A solid Championship start but West Brom struggled to solve Portsmouth challenge
After their blistering start to the campaign this was a game that you really felt Albion should be winning.
However, if you take into context the manner of the game and the overall start to the season - Albion fans and I am sure Ryan Mason would have absolutely taken seven points and an unbeaten start in the opening three games.
Heading into the opening game it was a bit of a case of not knowing what to expect - but over the win against Blackburn and success at Wrexham - Mason's Albion have underlined that they are a good side.
A side who can defend solidly but also have attacking quality going forward - and when it really does click and flow they are going to trouble teams enough to win football matches.
Unfortunately on Saturday - Albion weren't at their full, flying, creative best and came up against a Pompey side who came with a game plan and it very much worked.
They stifled Albion, did enough to grab a goal and on the balance of play left The Hawthorns with a deserved point.
But, there are other lines to the story that may have led to a different outcome.
Mason opted for one change to the side that beat Wrexham last week - with Mikey Johnston earning a very deserved and unsurprising recall.
For Johnston, it has been an up and down summer with his collapsed £5m move to Flamengo meaning he arrived at Albion's pre-season training camp late.
He did impress in pre-season, but frustratingly found himself as an unused substitute against Blackburn. However he made a real point to Mason last week with two assists off the bench.
And he took his chance with both hands.
