Norwich City 5-0 Rotherham: Davitt Championship ratings

• Angus Gunn             7

Easiest clean sheet of his season. Rotherham recorded two shots, and none on target. More about concentration and distribution. Plucked a cross from Tom Eaves as he dropped to his right at the near post early on. Watched Jordan Hugill’s header loop over from Sebastian Revan’s cross.

• Jack Stacey               8

Excellent comeback, after his costly role in Middlesbrough’s third goal in the week. Going forward in this form surely few better attacking full-backs in the Championship.

Had already stood up a cross for Gabby Sara’s near post run before he burst free from Josh Sargent’s pass to commit two Rotherham players, and conjure a booming cross the unmarked Sara headed home inside the six yard box.

On the gallop again in the 20th minute in a flowing move involving Sara and Borja Sainz, before his intended cross for Ashley Barnes was shovelled behind. May get lost in the progressive attacking work but positionally spot on to make a big defensive clearing header from an Oliver Rathbone cross.

Second assist of the day came in first half stoppage time, when Jacob Sorensen helped break up a rare counter to find Sara who picked out Stacey on the charge again, before the perfect delivery for Sargent to slot City’s fourth from 12 yards.

• Jacob Sorensen     7

After the Middlesbrough defeat that saw Grant Hanley limp off Wagner made it clear Sorensen was his first alternative for a centre back shift. Rarely tested defensively.

First league goal of a heavily injury interrupted season when he edged towards the angle of the six yard box to flick Sara’s pacy corner goalwards.

Then rifled a ball into midfield Sainz brilliantly controlled and juggled his way through the middle of the Rotherham rearguard to smash a third. Also involved at the start of the fourth City goal when he calmly chipped the ball for Sara to turn and release Stacey.  

• Ben Gibson                 6

Replaced at half-time as an injury precaution, revealed Wagner after the game. Comfortable shift with Norwich so dominant at the other end. Cleverly ran Charlie Wyke under the ball to help create that pocket of space for Sorensen to occupy and meet Sara’s corner.

• Sam McCallum        7

Got his chance with Dimi Giannoulis suffering a suspected hamstring injury on Friday. Defensive qualities not tested by the Millers but enjoyed the licence to do his best work in the final third. Low cross five minutes in squirmed right across the six yard box, with Sargent a touch on his heels.

Then rolled in Sainz to pick out Sara for a rare miscue. Linked again with the Spaniard in the 25th minute to shovel the ball onto Sargent, who was crowded out. Slid a cross into the feet of Christian Fassnacht, who saw his shot blocked.

• Kenny McLean       6

Wisely withdrawn with the game sewn up and the influential Scot one more booking away from a two-match ban. Whipped a ball sharply into the feet of Barnes, who picked out the run of Sargent to drive forward for Sara’s sublime match-sealing goal.

• Gabby Sara                9

Virtuoso display from the magical midfielder. Two goals and another assist to increase his goal contribution tally in the Championship to 20 in 37 appearances.

Deployed in a more right-sided role which brought a rich dividend. Unable to rise high enough to meet Stacey’s first cross, but had all the time in the world to power home his delivery in the 13th minute after he escaped detection.

Choked a good shooting chance from Sainz’s cutback in the 17th minute. Pulled the strings in a flowing move that saw Stacey’s cross deflected behind, that in turn led to his inswinging corner for Sorensen to re-direct past Viktor Johansson.

Clever back heel for Sargent four minutes from the interval but the American’s shot was blocked by Hakeem Odoffin as he switched the ball onto his left.

First time roll for Stacey to pick out Sargent. Saved his best for last when he followed in Sargent’s parried shot, which took one bounce, before he cut across the ball to crash a rising half-volley into the top corner from 18 yards. Stunning finish.

• Marcelino Nunez      7

Sparked the first real attacking moment two minutes in with a probing free kick that saw Sara slam a shot at Johansson. Sainz’s cheeky nutmeg worked him into a shooting position but failed to get hold of an attempt on the outside of his right foot.

Raking pass had spotted Barnes’ channel run, but the experienced forward was unable to control. Drilled a right-footed shot wide from the edge of the area in the 57th minute.

• Ashley Barnes          ­­                7

Involved in during the build up to Sara's super second when he re-directed Kenny McLean’s ball into the path of Sargent. Pressed from the front as always out of possession.  

• Borja Sainz                 8

Quite the response after his Middlesbrough red card and then subsequent successful club appeal. Controlled Sorensen’s spinning pass at hip-height and then flicked the ball down and out of his feet before veering between players to unleash a fearsome right-footed hit from 25 yards that beat Johansson for pace.

Enjoyed himself in that first half with the freedom to roam and time and space to create. Served a cut back on a plate for Sara, who clipped off-target.

Drove forward again when he received the ball from McCallum to pick out Sargent, who was unable to get his shot away. Confidence was surging after his goal with an impudent nutmeg and then the roll for Nunez to let fly.

• Josh Sargent                     7

Inevitable against such a porous backline he was going to add to his growing goal collection. Still had work to do when Stacey’s bouncing cross came across his body but got enough power and direction on his effort from 12 yards to beat Johansson.

Dropped deep and rolled his marker to release Stacey for the opening goal. His stinging shot was beaten away by Johansson, and returned with interest from Sara.

On the same wavelength as the Brazilian in the 41st minute who backheeled him into space but opted to shift the ball onto his left and Odoffin got his body in the way of the strike.

Subs

• Danny Batth (for Gibson, 45)              5

Risk-free football. with the ball at his feet. Only Hugill’s arrival injected any aerial jeopardy.

• Sydney van Hooijdonk (for Sargent, 51)                    5

Neat and tidy with his back to goal in deeper areas but none of the dynamism offered by Sargent.