Norwich City 2-1 Hull City: Paddy Davitt Championship pointers

1. Scenes

David Wagner pledged Norwich City fans would enjoy the season ahead at his pre-match press call. There was also an underlying sub-text Carrow Road would be a place to relish coming to this season, rather than the enduring grind and miserable experience it felt down the stretch last season.

As crystal-ball gazing predictions go the German was spot on.

With 96 minutes on the clock, second half substitute Adam Idah dived full stretch to finish from close range to spark joyful scenes from the majority of home fans who opted not to head for the exits.

There was a tense interlude while the officials consulted to decide the Hull defender’s touch inside the area could be deemed 'deliberate', as the ball arrived at Idah who appeared to be in an offside position.

But a point from referee Stroud towards the centre circle released the rising tension. Hull coach Liam Rosenior was red carded in the aftermath, and there was barely time to restart before the final whistle was blown.

Cue more celebrations for those in green and yellow.

Idah was mobbed by Ashley Barnes. Team mates slapped each other on the back and then proceeded to take the acclaim of the Barclay. It felt like a throwback to the good times, and the memorable moments, when this stadium has rocked to the sound of euphoria and delight.

No-one will get carried away, least of all Wagner or his players, and plenty will want more compelling evidence to feel the tide has turned.

But after the manner of what had gone before at Carrow Road this calendar year, this was a soggy afternoon to savour.

2. Rocket Rowe

A first start of his Norwich City career, a first goal and the type of impact that will soon ensure Rowe is an indispensable cog in this machine.

From the off there was a zest, a zip and a thrust to the 20-year-old’s work.

Deployed on the right flank, at times it felt Rowe was everywhere on the pitch with his energy and selfless tracking back to perform his defensive duties, as well as try and haul Norwich back into the contest after the calamitous nature of their early concession.

Seconds from the interval of an opening period when the Canaries had carved out more than enough to be well ahead, not behind, Rowe took the ball from Dimi Giannoulis and raced again towards the Hull penalty box.

Jack Stacey’s overlap bought him more time and space but the manner he switched the ball onto his left and curled a rising strike into the top corner was majestic.

That will have felt big after a season wrecked by injury last time around. Within weeks of Wagner arriving in the building in January those in and around the club were telling him Rowe was the type of winger who would fit his eye.

Now free of injury, with a pre-season to stake his claim, Rowe has a huge chance to become an influential figure. Wagner again drooled about the winger in his post-match debrief.

This was a high bar set, but such is the confidence he exudes you get a sense Rowe will enjoy the challenge, and the responsibility of being one of the attacking catalysts.

3. Floodgates

Torrential rain more in keeping with November than early August league openers, but the real torrent was the number of chances Norwich created. By the time Idah had bundled home his dramatic winner they had carved out 28.

When you consider under Wagner they failed to score in the last five Carrow Road outings of last season that marked some sea change.

Granted you could question the accuracy of the finishing, albeit the hosts struck the woodwork twice in the first half and Matt Ingram pulled off a stunning reaction stop to deny Josh Sargent, but Wagner may feel that sharpness will come if they continue to create in such multiples.

With the directness of Rowe, the ambition of attack-minded full backs in Stacey and Giannoulis, the cleverness of Gabby Sara and the athletic running power of a Sargent, or streetwise cunning of Barnes, Norwich should cause Championship sides plenty of problems.

In truth, with Rowe’s departure the intensity levels dropped for the final quarter, and with it Norwich’s thrust until Idah’s intervention, but you could forgive that on the opening weekend, as they navigate a passage from pre-season to competitive combat.

4. Independence Day

The number nine on his back and the freedom of the penalty box to call his own. This might have felt like Sargent’s real breakthrough moment.

With Teemu Pukki now a distant memory the path has opened up for the US international to render the debate on his role in this City side an academic one. No more need to defer to the Finn, or do a job in wide areas.

Sargent himself would need little encouragement to tell you that centre forward role is the one he desired.

Ingram denied him an opening league goal of the campaign. There was another close range follow up header seconds later he screwed wide of the far post. But there were also areas of his game he will need to refine and finesse if he is to assume the mantle as the attacking focal point.

Too often his hold up play was frayed around the edges, and in Jacob Greaves he found a muscular foe his equal in the aerial duels.

But if Sargent can add that care and attention with his back to goal as a platform for team mates to build from, there is no question his power in behind will afford Norwich an ability to transition with the speed Wagner demands.

Plus, if this collective continue to generate chances in the same rich number, he will be the main beneficiary. Although now he has to play catch up with Idah.