Here is Paddy’s verdict on David Wagner’s Norwich City, who overcame Josh Sargent’s early injury exit to thump Huddersfield in a Championship away day to savour.
• Angus Gunn 8
First league clean sheet of the season. But despite Norwich’s attacking dominance he had to earn it with a couple of fine stops. Flew to his right to claw out Matty Pearson’s looping header arrowing towards the top corner four minutes from the interval.
Then in the 78th minute stood big at his near post to stick up a hand to block from Pat Jones. Had his angles right in the fifth minute when Josh Koroma’s swinging shot on the angle clipped the outside of his far post.
Secure handling in the Terriers’ best concerted second half spell to claim a bouncing Tom Edwards' cross and strikes from Jonathan Hogg and Koroma.
• Jack Stacey 7
Left the attacking fireworks to his team mates on this occasion. Bar one flowing move involving the full back, Kenny McLean and Gabby Sara that ended with Christian Fassnacht’s blocked shot.
Levered under the ball for Koroma’s big early chance. Brave stooping header in first half stoppage time inside his area to foil Jack Rudoni. Moved through the gears in the 67th minute to get back goal side to slide tackle Koroma.
• Shane Duffy 8
Commanding aerial presence to nullify Huddersfield’s direct threat. Needed all his experience on the floor but did earn a caution for one foul too many on Koroma. Nudged Danny Ward under a booming clearance from Lee Nicholls.
Just a fraction slow in getting out to Pearson for Angus Gunn’s save. But tremendous instincts to lunge and block two shots from Koroma in and around the penalty box.
• Ben Gibson 7
Solid and dependable again alongside Shane Duffy. Perfect threaded ball through two home defenders set Fassnacht away. Came across to clear the danger from Sorba Thomas’ burst into the area. Timely block to thwart Rudoni in the 58th minute.
• Dimi Giannoulis 7
Quick-thinking saw him pick out the run of Jon Rowe with a throw that ended with a penalty to Norwich, following Pearson’s high boot challenge. Lovely spot for Josh Sargent in the second minute with a cross the American headed at Nicholls.
One aberration in possession was mopped up by his team mates, when he turned back infield and was pounced on by Hogg to spark a home counter.
• Kenny McLean © 7
Such composure in tight spots to ensure Norwich could beat the home press. Notably one second half moment when he split his centre backs and with the Huddersfield shirts closing in angled a ball into the unmarked Gabby Sara.
Broke up another dangerous Huddersfield counter himself, before weaving out of traffic and rolling Adam Idah in down the left touchline. Key pass in the move that led to Fassnacht’s strike in the 72nd minute.
• Gabby Sara 7
Not the headline grabbing antics of recent weeks. Difficult game at times to get on the ball and weave his magic with Huddersfield so direct, and City’s own build up strategy disrupted by Sargent’s early injury exit.
Not quite on the same wavelength with Gunn in the 31st minute when he turned into trouble in his own final third. But good awareness to release Stacey for the Fassnacht second half chance.
• Christian Fassnacht 7
Such a clever operator to find space to exploit on the park. Lost two players without touching the ball just inside his own half to spark a City counter in the 61st minute before he was crudely upended by Hogg.
Blocked shot in the 72nd minute that would have capped another fine team move. First time clip with the outside of the right created the panic in the Huddersfield backline for Sargent to profit to score the opener.
Happy to do his defensive shift into the bargain. Got a touch to a Koroma strike that Gunn mopped up. Then back in his own six yard box to earn a foul before Rudoni rolled the ball into an empty net.
• Ashley Barnes 8
Such a leader for this Norwich forward unit. Really had to step up another level in the aftermath of Sargent’s exit. Emphatic penalty slotted to double the lead. Helped the ball around the corner for Idah to race away and pick out Rowe.
Numerous occasions he dropped very deep into the build up phase of City’s play to drag his marker out of position.
• Jon Rowe 8
Another game, another goal for a player who at times was unplayable. Especially in the first half when he could only be halted through foul means. Diarra escaped a booking for a trip but Koroma was not so fortunate.
That burst of speed got him to Dimi Giannoulis’ bouncing ball a fraction quicker than Pearson to earn the penalty. Two minutes in to the game, he turned out of traffic and released the Greek to pick out Sargent.
Deflected shot in the eighth minute spiralled away off Michael Helik. His fifth goal of the season owed everything to his near post gamble between two home defenders, and the quality on Idah’s delivery, to sidefoot first time.
• Josh Sargent 7
Chased what looked a lost cause but got his reward when Nicholl’s attempted clearance rebounded against the American, who reacted first to leap and head home the rebound five yards out. But he landed awkwardly on his right ankle as Nicholls tried desperately to scramble back.
After assessment, lying prone in the goal, he was helped off the pitch. Departed the ground in a protective boot and now we await the results of scan and the swelling to reduce on the injury Wagner indicated post-match it could be ‘serious’. Headed at Nicholls from Giannoulis’ cross in the second minute.
Subs
• Adam Idah (for Sargent, 14) 8
Quite the impact as an early injury arrival for Sargent, before he himself departed with cramp after sealing the win. Linked with Barnes three minutes after the interval to race clear down the right, look up, and whip the perfect cross for Rowe to sweep home.
Then had space and time to control Przemyslaw Placheta’s turnover, draw Nicholls, and confidently slot inside the near post on his left peg.
In between, there was another good piece of link up play with Fassnacht to get him down that right channel again, but the Irishman’s cross was intercepted.
• Przemyslaw Placheta (for Rowe, 76) n/a
(86) Aggressive turnover work and the release for Idah to slot a fourth.
• Tony Springett (for Fassnacht, 76) n/a
• Liam Gibbs (for Giannoulis, 86) n/a
• Marcelino Nunez (for Idah, 86) n/a
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here