Cardiff City 2-1 Norwich City: Davitt Championship marks

Was going to his left when Callum Robinson’s snapshot brushed Shane Duffy and spiralled into the opposite corner. Callum O’Dowda’s scorcher flew past him in stoppage time. But as Thorup rightly pointed out, Long was redundant for large spells with Norwich shading possession.

Solid positioning at his near post to claim David Turnbull’s whipped free kick in the 49th minute. Then beat away a rasping effort from the same player.

Got nowhere near claiming a cross in the 59th minute but fortunately the ball dropped behind for a corner. Behind’s Turnbull’s tame 86th minute effort from long range.

Drag back on the edge of his own penalty area in the 11th minute extricated him from a pincer move from two Cardiff forward but over-hit his intended pass for Ante Crnac. Snapped into a double challenge on Anwar El Ghazi and Chris Willock.

Rolled by El Ghazi in the 50th minute but Gabe Forsyth got back to block Rubin Colwill’s dig.

Led the side out and turned into a busy shift in the final quarter. No luck when he tried to thwart Robinson from the edge of the area but only proceeded to deflected the ball past Long.

Sloppy in possession in the 12th minute but Jose Cordoba was across to bail him out. Repaid the favour when he did enough to distract Chris Willock at the near post after Cordoba had coughed up a cheap turnover.

Miscued a free header from Crnac’s free kick. Rose unmarked twice more to attack Emi Marcondes’ corners. Second one was thundered at Jak Alnwick.

Apart from that early turnover when he was caught on the ball the Panamanian was robust in his defensive work and precise on the ball. Threaded a ball for Borja Sainz to spin away from his marker in the 24th minute but a 20-yard shot was shovelled away by Alnwick.

Another pinpoint snap pass for Marcondes to ping a diagonal for the overlapping Kellen Fisher. Had to adjust his positioning as part of a defensive three when Thorup opted to change shape.

Created the conditions for another beauty from Sainz when he anticipated an underhit square pass to intercept and feed the Spaniard to do the rest. Too much on a early curling ball arrowed towards Crnac.

Squared up by Ollie Tanner who got to the byline to pick out Willock. Sensed the danger to make a crucial back post clearance after Willock had twisted his way past Fisher. Low strike at Alnwick in the first minute of time added on.

Big ask to start and last 75 minutes on his first start since May, but you could his influence in the lack of control once he vacated central midfield. Raking crossfield ball for Oscar Schwartau to attack.

Threaded another accurate pass into Sainz’s feet, who linked with Marcondes, but the cut back was cleared. Tracked back into his own six yard box to head clear a deep free kick just before the interval.

The teenager was fortunate to escape injury when he was caught by Andy Rinomhota that earned the makeshift right-back a booking. First time diagonal ball four minutes in released Sainz.

Then linked with Marcondes to set Doyle free. Lovely composure to pick out Sainz and then Schwartau in a move that saw Crnac crowded out as he tried to shoot. Went full length to block Colwill shot’s from the edge of the area after Fisher had been dragged out of position.

Looked like the tank was empty when he was unable to adjust his body position quick enough to prevent Robinson levelling. But took up Marcelino Nunez’s mantle with a series of probing set piece deliveries and sharp passing.

Picked out Crnac with a slide rule pass in the ninth minute but the Croatian wanted too much time to get his shot away.

Disguised free kick to Crnac saw Duffy screw a header wide six yards out. Smothering stop from Alnwick at the back post as he slid in. The resulting corner flew across the six yard box. Two more second half corners to the back post saw Duffy rise to test Alnwick.

Looks more comfortable playing in central areas but it was a case of needs must in the circumstances and a show of faith he was preferred to Kaide Gordon.

Jacob Sorensen’s ball allowed him to attack O’Dowda but his low cross was cleared. Linked with Forsyth to release Sainz for a decent Crnac shooting chance.

Big boots to fill in Josh Sargent’s absence. Best chance came in the 84th minute when he turned and drove at the Bluebirds’ backline before slapping a low left footer just wide of Alnwick’s near post.

Less decisive in the ninth minute when he appeared desperate to get the ball on his favour left and Dimitros Goutas intervened. But served up a big headed chance for Duffy and there was a perfectly-timed slip pass for Sainz in the 67th minute, who was foiled by Alnwick.

Another technically gorgeous strike to crash a shot from 22 yards into the roof of the net past the previously unbeatable Alnwick.

Pushed more central after Thorup’s change of shape. Denied by Alnwick’s outstretched right arm in the 67th minute when put clear by Crnac. Alnwick also shovelled away his first half efforts on two occasions. Picked out the Croatian who tried to turn and hit in one motion to earn a corner.  

Ben Chrisene (for Fisher, 63)                    5

Jack Stacey (for Forsyth, 63)                     6

Foiled by Goutas’ goal line block after he followed up Sainz’s rebounded effort.

Grant Hanley (for Schwartau, 75)             5

Amankwah Forson (for Sorensen, 75)                 4

Beaten by O’Dowda down the Cardiff left in the move that led to Robinson’s leveller. Then robbed by Colwill inside his own box and although he got back in to block Robinson’s first effort, the ball squirted towards O’Dowda to crash a shot past Long.

Kaide Gordon (for Crnac, 87)                    n/a