Norwich City’s new era got off to a disastrous start as they were beaten 2-0 by newly promoted Oxford United.

Goals in either half meant a shock defeat for the Canaries, whose day went from bad to worse after Jonathan Rowe had ruled himself out of the season opener as he looks for a move away from the club.

The Johannes Hoff Thorup blueprint is to control games, but it was the hosts who had the best of both the possession and the chances early on.

Mark Harris should have found the net when Tyler Goodrham picked him out three minutes in, and former Canary Przemyslaw Placheta also came close when Harris teed him up shortly thereafter.

The visitors established themselves briefly before they were undone by their own defensive error, Grant Hanley failing to deal with a long ball forward and Harris gratefully opening the scoring.

Thorup chose to shuffle his pack at half time, introducing new signing Amankwah Forson for Liam Gibbs. That change appeared to have the desired effect, giving City fresh onus.

But they couldn’t convert it to real chances, and by the 58th minute Oxford had their second. This time it was Cameron Brannagan, strolling into a smart cutback to stroke past Gunn.

Norwich City: Gunn; Stacey, Hanley (Sorensen, 61), Duffy, Doyle; McLean, Gibbs (Forson, 45), Nunez (Kamara, 76); Fassnacht (Idah, 61), Sargent, Sainz (Forsyth, 90). UNUSED SUBS: Long (GK), Fisher, Hills, Myles.

Head Coach: Johannes Hoff Thorup

Bookings: Sargent (45+1), Forson (56), Sorensen (87)

Oxford United: Cumming (GK), Long, Brown, Vaulks, Moore, Placheta (El Mizouni, 73), Brannagan, Harris (O’Donkor, 90+3), Bennett, Goodrham, Rodrigues (Leigh, 86). UNUSED SUBS: Ingram (GK), McEachran, Ebiowei, Sibley, Kioso, Thorniley.

Head Coach: Des Buckingham

Goals: Harris (28), Brannagan (58)

Bookings: Rodrigues (75)

KEY MOMENTS

3 - Oxford work it wide to Goodrham and he drives a good low ball in, but Harris somehow misses his kick.

8 - The ball breaks for Sainz after a scramble in the Oxford box, his low effort blocked well.

11 - Harris steals the ball from Nunez and sets up Placheta, whose effort is straight at Gunn from a tight angle.

16 - Sainz seizes on Vaulks’ error and drives into the box, but his shot is comfortably blocked by Moore.

28 - GOAL OXFORD (Harris): Hanley fails to deal with a long ball and Harris capitalises on his error, cutting inside and firing under Gunn.

39 - Vaulks has a go from distance that Gunn parries clear.

44 - Harris stoops to head Long’s cross over.

44 - Stacey’s cross funds Sainz at the back post, but his volley is poor and rolls well wide.

Half time: Oxford United 1-0 Norwich City

52 - A deflection nearly turns Moore’s strike into the second goal of the game, but instead the ball bounces off the bar and away.

58 - GOAL OXFORD (Brannagan): Brannagan strides onto a smart cutback and strokes past Gunn to double the lead.

79 - Idah’ low cross comes for Stacey, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner.

80 - Sorensen heads the resulting set-piece wide.

Full time: Oxford United 2-0 Norwich City

PLAYER RATINGS

Gunn 5, Stacey 5, Hanley 4, Duffy 5, Doyle 6, McLean 6, Nunez 5, Gibbs 4, Fassnacht 4, Sargent 5, Sainz 4. SUBS: Forson 6, Sorensen 5, Idah 6, Kamara 5, Forsyth 5.

MATCH STATISTICS

Possession: 50pc-50pc

Shots: 10-10

On target: 4-2

Corners: 3-5

Fouls: 4-11

Added time: 1 min/4 mins

Attendance: 11,333

Referee: Andrew Kitchen