Coventry City 1-1 Norwich City: Match report & player ratings

Jon Rowe struck his seventh goal in 13 appearances this season to put Norwich in front in the 41st minute following excellent work from Liam Gibbs and Jack Stacey.

But Gibson headed Milan van Ewijk's cross past his keeper at the near post in the 88th minute in the midst of relentless home pressure. 

The Canaries did end a run of three consecutive away league defeats but it will be a bittersweet point for David Wagner's men ahead of the latest international period.

Adam Idah had gone closest for the Canaries in the early sparring when Sam McCallum's cross just evaded him on the stretch inside the six yard box.

Gabby Sara also rifled over on his left from 20 yards following a sharp cut back from Gibbs. 

The Sky Blues bossed territory and possession prior to the interval but Angus Gunn was well-protected by the Norwich backline.

Gunn was pressed into action twice in the closing stages to foil Josh Eccles with fearsome long range strikes before Gibson diverted van Ewijk's ball past his keeper. 

Wagner made four changes to the line up that lost in Wales. McCallum was recalled against his old club for Dimi Giannoulis, with Gibbs, Przemyslaw Placheta and Idah all in the starting line up. 

COVENTRY CITY (3-4-1-2):

Substitutes:

40. Collins (GK)

2. Binks (Allen 76)

21. Bidwell

22. Latibeaudiere (Kitching 71)

24. Godden (Wright 72)

27. van Ewijk (Dasilva 72)

46. Eghosa

47. Stretton

49. Obikwu

Head Coach: Mark Robins

Goal: Gibson og (88)

NORWICH CITY (4-2-3-1):

Substitutes:

12. Long (GK)

16. Fassnacht (Rowe 76)

21. Batth (Gibbs 87)

25. Hernandez

29. Forshaw

30. Giannoulis (McCallum 63)

31. Hwang (Idah 76)

35. Fisher

42. Springett (Placheta 63)

Head Coach: David Wagner

Booking: Rowe

Goal: Rowe (41)

KEY MOMENTS

5 - Good move from Norwich. Gibson plays the ball in behind for Placheta to run onto. He cuts it back to Gibbs who tees up Sara, he curls a shot over the bar. 

6 - Placheta does well to break the lines and plays a ball to Idah on the left. He drives into the box but Wilson claims his shot routinely. 

27 - Kitching meets a corner from Sakamoto's cross. Gunn beats it away but the offside flag is raised. 

29 - Eccles free kick is met by Gunn who punches it clean. Allen finds McFadzean but Gunn claims his shot. 

27 - Another big chance for Coventry. They work a two versus one from the corner and Sakamoto flashes it across. Duffy does enough to stop it falling for Simms and Gunn claims. 

41 - GOAL NORWICH (ROWE) - City take the lead against the run of play. Liam Gibbs steals possession and darts into the box. Stacey cuts it back to Rowe, who pokes the ball into the net. 0-1

HALF TIME: COVENTRY CITY 0-1 NORWICH CITY

49 - McCallum whips in a great ball from the left. Idah is unable to make contact and it flashes across the face of the goal and away.

70 - Rowe does superbly to get Norwich up the pitch. Offloads to Gibbs on the edge but his effort is blocked and cleared.

75 - van Ewijk drives into the box and Simms controls but Norwich have enough bodies to defend. 

77 - Poor from Sara to concede possession. Coventry work it to Eccles but his shot on the turn is held well by Gunn.

83 - Stacey gets caught in possession. Godden squares it and the ball runs for Eccles. His fierce shot is helped over by Gunn.

86 - This is getting close. Latibeauidere beats Gunn to the ball and hangs it up at the far post. Eccles drags a shot wide.

88 - GOAL COVENTRY (GIBSON OG) - van Ewijk's cross is diverted past Gunn by City defender Gibson. 1-1

90+3 - Sakamoto's close range header is blocked by Sara to prevent a late winner for the hosts. 
 

PLAYER RATINGS

Gunn 7, Stacey 6, Duffy 8, Gibson 6, McCallum 6, Sara 6, McLean 7, Rowe 7, Gibbs 6, Placheta 6, Idah 6. Subs: Long (GK), Batth 5, Giannoulis 5, Fisher, Forshaw, Springett 4, Hernandez, Fassnacht 5, Hwang 5.

MATCH STATISTICS

Possession: 57pc-43pc

Shots: 20-6

On target: 4-2

Corners: 8-0

Fouls: 11-13

Added time: 2 mins / 4 mins

ATTENDANCE: 26,548

REFEREE: Dean Whitestone