Norwich City 0-1 Blackburn Rovers: Player ratings and stats

The Canaries started vibrantly but struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Gabriel Sara's smartly-saved effort as close as they came in the opening period.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring via Grant Hanley's mistake. His pass to Krul was short, and when Dilan Markanday couldn't take advantage Vale stepped up to give his side the lead.

City probed throughout the second half of Wagner's first match at the helm, with chances missed by Pukki and substitute Danel Sinani.

The German's new charges couldn't find a goal to force a replay, however, and exit the competition in the third round.

Next up they return to league action, when they visit Championship play-off contenders Preston North End on Saturday.

NORWICH CITY (4-2-3-1): 

Norwich City's starting line-up for their FA Cup game against Blackburn Rovers. (Image: Newsquest)

Substitutes:

28. Gunn (GK)

9. Hugill (on for Idah, 57)

10. Dowell (on for Nunez, 57)

15. McCallum (on for Giannoulis, 81)

19. Sorensen

21. Sinani (on for Hernandez, 57)

42. Springett

45. Tomkinson

46. Gibbs (on for Sara, 81)

Bookings: Aarons (22)

Head Coach: David Wagner

BLACKBURN ROVERS (4-2-3-1):

Blackburn Rovers' starting line-up for their FA Cup game against Norwich City. (Image: Newsquest)

Substitutes:

1. Kaminski (GK)

6. Morton (on for Dack, 89)

7. Edun

11. Rankin-Costello (on for Carter, 68)

15. Mola

19. Hedges (on for Vale, 68)

33. Phillips (on for Wharton, 9)

36. A.Wharton

38. Leonard

Bookings: Carter (53)

Manager: Jon Dahl Tomasson

Goal: Vale (31)

KEY MOMENTS

12 - Dack's corner is headed clear by McLean but only as far as Brereton Diaz, who forces a good stop from Krul on the half volley.

14 - Norwich press well before Sara shoots from distance, but his deflected effort is saved by Pears.

17 - Sara's corner finds Hanley, whose header is tipped over by Pears.

26 - Blackburn break and Brereton Diaz is found on the edge of the box, but his cross is poor.

27 - Travis finds space and has a go from the edge of the box, but Omobamidele deflects the shot wide.

28 - Hernandez gets tp the byline and cuts back for Pukki, whose flick spins over the bar.

31 - GOAL BLACKBURN (Vale): Hanley's pass back to Krul is short, and when the Dutch international saves from Markanday and Brereton Diaz tees up Vale he can't miss.

43 - Hernandez steals the ball and cuts back for Sara, whose low effort is saved well by Pears.

45+4 - Brereton Diaz races clear and cuts inside Omobamidele but skies his left-footed effort as he goes one-on-one.

Half time - Norwich City 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

48 - Blackburn counter dangerously, but a deflection takes the sting out of Brereton Diaz' effort.

49 - Pukki's shot from 22 yards doesn't have the power to seriously trouble Pears.

56 - Hernandez cuts inside and drives towards goal, but Pears saves and holds well.

64 - Aarons beats Brereton Diaz and shoots high, but Pears tips over.

65 - Sara's corner finds Sinani, who totally mis-times his header and nods over the bar.

73 - Hanley hooks a Blackburn set piece towards his own goal but is saved by the woodwork.

75 - Garrett tries a shot from the edge of the box but Krul holds.

77 - Markanday recobers Brereton Diaz' pass and curls a left-footed shot towards the far post, but Krul gets down well to save and hold.

82 - Hugill wins the ball and drives towards the edge of the box, but his curling shot is tame and held by Pears.

83 - Hugill meets Sinani's corner and sees his header saved.

86 - Sinani's free-kick falls for McLean, but his shot is central and lacking pace as Pears gathers.

Full time - Norwich City 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

PLAYER RATINGS

Krul 5, Aarons 6, Omobamidele 7, Hanley 4, Giannoulis 5, McLean 6, Nunez 5, Hernandez 6, Sara 6, Idah 5, Pukki 6. Substitutes: Dowell 5, Hugill 6, Sinani 5, McCallum 5, Gibbs 5.

MATCH STATISTICS

Possession: 53pc-47pc

Shots: 25-8

On Target: 7-5

Corners: 15-4

Fouls: 9-9

Injury time: 4 mins/5 mins

REFEREE: Gavin Ward

ATTENDANCE: 21,472