Here is Paddy’s verdict on David Wagner’s Norwich City, who hit back to sink the Sky Blues in a storming second half at Carrow Road.
• Angus Gunn 8
Big moments need a big keeper. Came to his side’s rescue twice in that second half, when he kicked away Haji Wright’s low strike and then brilliantly parried Kasey Palmer’s fearsome hit. There was another top drawer stop at his near post before the interval from Wright’s deflected shot that brushed Marcelino Nunez.
Came to decisively punch clear through a crowd scene from Victor Torp’s corner. Callum O’Hare’s pinpoint finish was too good from the angle of his six yard box.
One blot was the miscued pass in the 25th minute intended for Dimi Giannoulis but Tatsuhiro Sakamoto was put under pressure to produce a weak cross.
• Jack Stacey 6
Bounced off O’Hare too easily when the Coventry man used his low centre of gravity to wriggle free and slot the Sky Blues ahead. One or two bright attacking moments in that positive early start. Cut back for Giannoulis, who was not able to get a shot off.
But wayward cross into the Lower Barclay when he raided again on a Josh Sargent counter in the 66th minute.
• Shane Duffy 5
Twice caught out by the quick feet of O’Hare and Wright as he looked to close the door in that Coventry left-sided channel. Big challenge on the American in the 41st minute as he attempted to cut inside and test Angus Gunn.
• Ben Gibson 6
Raking pass in the opening first five minutes for Sargent to burst clear before he was crowded out inside the Coventry box. Touch tight to Wright to prevent him turning and sparking a Coventry counter. Would have savoured the win more than most after his inadvertent late own goal in the corresponding fixture.
• Dimi Giannoulis 6
Rolled by Jamie Allen inside his area as the ball eventually ended at the feet of Palmer, but Gunn’s reflexes foiled the substitute. Routinely got himself into advanced positions without the killer delivery.
• Kenny McLean © 7
Blotted his copybook with a weak clearing header that was recycled for O’Hare to nudge Coventry in front. Endless energy to career through central midfield. Rolled in Sargent who was upended by Liam Kitching in the red card incident.
Made plenty of near post darts to try and connect with Gabby Sara corners. Got his angles all round with the header in the 12th minute. Released Sargent again, who dived inside Bobby Thomas but Victor Torp closed the space.
Burst past two and into Coventry territory in the 27th minute before linking with Sainz, Sara and Fassnacht for a far post headed knockdown from Sargent that was dealt with.
Earned a round of applause from home fans when he hared back into his own right back channel and calmly back heeled his way out of trouble after exchanging passes with Shane Duffy. Swept out a ball to Sam McCallum for the lead up to Sainz’s winner.
• Marcelino Nunez 6
Plenty of effort and endeavour but little of the control or composure he exerted for a concerted spell in possession recently at Leeds. Sloppy loss of the ball forced him to take emergency action to crudely halt Sakamoto and earn a booking.
Excellent tracking back to get a touch on Wright’s shot, which Gunn parried at his near post. Released Christian Fassnacht, who over-hit his intended pass for Sargent. Testing inswinging corner got a flick from Borja Sainz but Coventry cleared.
• Christian Fassnacht 6
Found himself in plenty of positive first half situations but none of the quality required on the end product. Had the best chance before the interval for the hosts when he sidefooted goalwards, but Bradley Collins parried and Sargent’s follow up was blocked.
Kidded Jake Bidwell he was going to cross before trying to find Sargent at the far post, but Collins punched away.
• Gabby Sara 7
Clipped the top of the bar with a dipping free kick in the aftermath of Kitching’s red card. Was also the source of the equaliser when he raided down the left and clipped a ball into the area Ashley Barnes lashed goalwards, before Sargent reacted quickest to smack home the rebound. The Brazilian skied over his less favoured right in the 24th minute.
Flicked on Gunn’s booming clearance but the ball had too much pace for Sargent. Curler lacked power to trouble Collins in the 29th minute.
Fired a pinpoint diagonal towards Giannoulis from a quickly-taken free kick. Sloppy back heel in his own half trigged a rapid Coventry counter that brought a smart near post stop from Gunn.
• Borja Sainz 8
Majestic fizzing shot on his right foot, that on the highlights, appeared to pick up pace as it flew past Collins at full stretch to seal the win. Came onto the ball at pace after using Barnes for a set up. Jinked past two in the third minute for Fassnacht’s big chance. Looked to release Sargent in the 11th minute, but the American had checked his run.
Helped on Nunez’s corner at the near post but Coventry had the bodies back to clear. Quick feet to release Sargent in the 78th minute, but his deflected shot spiralled up for Collins to grasp.
• Josh Sargent 9
Fearsome display of leading the line. Deserved his goal, when he chested down a ricochet and slammed a half-volley past Collins from close range. Prominent in a bright opening 10 or 15 minutes. Follow up shot from Fassnacht’s initial effort was blocked.
Then crowded out on the angle of the six yard box from Gibson’s chip. A minute later let fly from the opposite angle of the six yard box before Fassnacht’s glancing flick dropped wide. Veered inside Thomas to open up the goal but Torp raced back and appeared to catch Sargent on his standing foot.
Burst free onto McLean’s slide rule ball, and was taken out by Kitching. Still going strong in the 78th minute when he got his shot away but it brushed a defender and popped up for Collins to pluck out of the air.
Subs
• Ashley Barnes (for Nunez, 57) 7
Major impact and involved in both Norwich goals. Lovely ball around the corner for Sara and kept his run going into the box. Hammered the Brazilian's cross goalwards and was still appealing for handball when Sargent pounced. Then held off his marker with two touches that left Sainz with the opportunity to open up his right foot and bend a winner past Collins.
• Onel Hernandez (for Fassnacht, 58) 6
Drop of the shoulder lost Wright but his cross was deflected behind for a corner. Took the ball from McCallum and exchanged passed with Sydney van Hooijdonk but pulled a shot on his left foot wide.
• Sam McCallum (for Giannoulis, 82) n/a
Offered the width for McLean’s big diagonal that led to Sainz’s stunner.
• Liam Gibbs (for Sainz, 90+1) n/a
• Sydney van Hooijdonk (for Sargent, 90+1) n/a
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