Stoke City 0-3 Norwich City: Davitt Championship ratings

• Angus Gunn              7

Third clean sheet in four earned with a smart stoppage time stop to foil Ryan Mmaee. Stoke struck the woodwork twice and Josh Laurent has to hit the target when he rises in front of Kenny McLean in the 43rd minute.

Good with the ball at his feet in that game-setting first quarter to help nullify the Stoke forward press. Narrowed the angle when Ki-Jana Hoever swerved past Ben Gibson, before a rising effort thudded against the City keeper’s left-hand post.

• Jack Stacey               7

Possibly a trip this coming week to the Colney video room to dissect how he was left with two Stoke attackers on the corner that Laurent powered over the top. Full of running in that first half, and more signs of a growing understanding with Gabby Sara in the manner he was released by the Brazilian.

First cross inside the opening minute intended for Josh Sargent was cut out at the expense of a visiting corner. Then a later shot blocked when he had advanced again after Borja Sainz’s aggressive press turned over the ball.

Unleashed an angled effort that veered wide of the far post in the 67th minute when Sargent, Marcelino Nunez and Sara over-complicated a promising break.

• Jacob Sorensen      7

Slight concern when he departed a few minutes after a hefty aerial challenge required treatment. But Wagner indicated in the immediate aftermath of the win it was more a reflection of a sickness bug over the previous few days on his energy levels.

Another central defensive shift that became a case of needs must given the absences of Shane Duffy and Grant Hanley. Deep build-up play comes naturally to the Dane. Not tested defensively for the second consecutive weekend.

Alert to track the early run of Tyrese Campbell and was able to shepherd the ball back to Angus Gunn.

• Ben Gibson                7

Very much the vocal organiser in a City backline shorn of some experienced internationals. One moment of alarm when he was beaten by Hoever’s body swerve, as the Stoke midfielder raced into the area, but the shot struck the woodwork. Campbell rose above him in the 54th minute but headed over from six yards.

• Sam McCallum        7

Grew into the contest after some poor first-half decision-making and a lack of precision in possession. Nunez did him no favours in the 13th minute with a sloppy turnover that saw Hoever turn on the gas to leave McCallum trailing, but his shot hit a post.

Took too long to release the ball into the box from Ashley Barnes’ flick around the corner. Then a sliced cross rolled through to Iversen. Fed Kenny McLean for the defence-splitting ball that released Sainz to pick out Sara to slot the second.

Lovely tempting near post ball matched Sargent’s run after the interval, but Iversen saved well as he spread his body.

• Kenny McLean                8

Post-Ben Pearson injury exit, McLean exploited Stoke’s organisational chaos with two perfectly-timed balls for Sainz to race away and pick out first Sargent and then Sara for a two-goal burst inside four minutes.

Released the American forward in the 15th minute but his shot was blocked. Perhaps did just enough to deter Laurent as he rose unchallenged behind the Scot, who sensed the danger to come off the line at a defensive corner.

Swivelled to crack a shot that hit Jordan Thompson, stood in front of Iversen, and Barnes slotted the rebound. Wrong call in stoppage time to try and jump out of the line to halt a Stoke counter, which left a hole Mmaee was able to burst through, only for Gunn to deny the Stoke player with his legs.

• Marcelino Nunez                    7

Loose at times on the ball in the first half. Aimless chip freed Hoever to size up McCallum and Ben Gibson but his shot slammed a post. The Chilean did thread the ball through for Sargent in the 27th minut, but Sainz’s close range first time shot was saved by Iversen.

Then picked out McCallum but the full back miscued his cross. Quick corner routine with Sara saw him produce a first time cross for Barnes, who saw his half-volley blocked at the near post.

• Gabby Sara                8

The finish of a player oozing confidence. That right-sided role, with protection in behind from the likes of McLean and Nunez, is certainly enabling Sara to carry the fight in and around the opposition penalty area.

Popped up in that same space, on the edge of the box, to his sumptuous Rotherham strike to guide a powerful sidefooted effort past Iversen from Sainz’s cutback. Released Stacey with two raking balls inside the home left back prior to the interval.

Clipped a ball for Barnes, who headed over under pressure. Left-footed dig from just inside the area in the 72nd minute was parried by Iversen at full-stretch.

• Ashley Barnes          ­­               7

You could see what his close range finish meant to the experienced forward, and his delighted team mates by the scale of the celebrations in front of the away end. Held his position to slam home McLean’s rebounded initial effort.

Looked skywards when a similar opportunity bounced out of range in the first half, as he  attempted to follow up Sainz’s first-time shot clawed out by Iversen.

Fourth minute header flew over, after rising above two home defenders. Threaded a ball through to Sara, who on this rare occasion was not on the same wavelength as Sargent.

• Borja Sainz                8

A pair of assists to underline he is not all about the spectacular strikes in the creative stakes. Exploited the vast tracts of space from a high Stoke defensive line, and ragged midfield press. Had Iversen scrambling in the first minute when he unleashed a right-footed shot from the edge of the area.

Channelled that aggressive streak in the right way in the 23rd minute to win the ball back in midfield to feed Sara, who in turn released Stacey. Timed his run onto McLean’s slip pass and drew Iversen before squaring for Sargent to open the scoring.

Denied by a fine reaction stop from the Stoke keeper in the aftermath, but a minute later was released again by McLean to dart infield and entice Sara to add a second.

• Josh Sargent                  7

A 10th league goal of 2024, although his sliding finish from the angle of the six yard box just had enough weight to roll over the line in front of the last Stoke defender. Turned provider three minutes later with the dart to the byline and cross for Sainz to test Iversen.

First shot in the 15th minute blocked, after he was found by McLean in a similar shooting position to the move that brought Sara’s goal-of-the-season contender against Rotherham.

Must have thought he had notched his second on the day in the 73rd minute when he got across his marker, but the busy Iversen blocked the American's effort from McCallum’s low cross.

Subs

• Christian Fassnacht (for Sainz, 69)              5

Tough act to follow but plenty of experience to see City over the line.

• Danny Batth (for Sorensen, 69)       5

A rare extended cameo with Duffy and Hanley ruled out and Sorensen unable to continue.

• Liam Gibbs (for Sargent, 82)       n/a

• Sydney van Hooijdonk (for Barnes, 88)     n/a