Paddy delivers his verdict on Johannes Hoff Thorup’s first Championship home game against Blackburn.

Angus Gunn            6

Looked to be targeted for some grappling in early attacking Rovers’ corners. Was straight out to the referee inside the first five minutes to raise his concerns. Beaten by a clever, lifted chip from Ryan Hedges and a bullet header from Yuki Ohashi.

Sensed the danger from Lewis Travis to swept up well outside his area with a header just past the hour mark. Decisive punch clear to deal with Joe Rankin-Costello’s drifting far post cross.

Jack Stacey            6

Blackburn’s late equaliser source in Stacey coughing up possession after electing to go on a dribble in the Rovers’ own half. Tried to cut out the pass to Makhtar Gueye with a sliding challenge on halfway in the early build up to Blackburn’s opener.

Struggled in that sticky first half spell for the hosts, and had to take a yellow for hauling down Gueye.

Shane Duffy            5

A fraction of a second too slow to sense the impending danger from Callum Brittain’s cross and the battle was lost as Ohashi was already on the move to head home from close range. Questionable decision-making on the opener when he allowed Gueye to turn and roll in the overlapping Hedges.

Not able to get back to apply any pressure. Gueye’s pace and drive in the channels had already caused him some uncomfortable moments.

Bar stepping into midfield in the 63rd minute to release Stacey his work in possession also lacks zip. Such a key facet of Thorup’s game model. Flying back post header from Marcelino Nunez’s corner dropped wide.

Callum Doyle                     7

The speed Blackburn countered from Stacey’s turnover left him with too much ground to get across and deal with Brittain. But his superbly-timed interception on the same player in the 65th minute and then threaded ball brought Josh Sargent’s leveller. Underlined his passing range alongside Shane Duffy.

Spotter’s badge for Sargent won the first home corner. Then another high tariff ball into midfield released Gabby Forsyth. Sliced wide from 25 yards in the 52nd minute after Nunez invited him forward. Switch to left back gave him a touch more freedom in possession.

One flowing counter with Onel Hernandez and Kenny McLean was cut short when Hernandez was crudely hauled down.

Ben Chrisene                    5

Competitive debut for the Canaries. More circumspect in his attacking urges within this set up but did offer for Sargent on the overlap in the 49th minute only to find a Blackburn defender with a low cross.

Kenny McLean        6

Opted not to try and press Gueye but retreat in the early part of the counter for Blackburn’s goal. But looks to be adapting to the demands of Thorup. Sharp first time pass into the feed of Forsyth, who checked out to find Chrisene.

Driving run past three in the second half only for Borja Sainz to spurn the opportunity. Intelligent link at speed again with Doyle and Hernandez in another counter of promise in the 78th minute.

Marcelino Nunez     7

Lots of responsibility on City free kicks and corners. But assured throughout and prominent role in Norwich’s second goal. Set the tone for an influential shift with a short corner worked to Sainz, who rifled over from the angle of the penalty area. Corner met by Sargent’s thumping header smacked the bar.

Another deep free kick ended with an ambitious scorpion kick attempt from Sainz. Dipping 25-yard free kick bent wide of Aynsley Pears’ right hand post. Offered for Sargent and then cushioned a return for the American to pick out Sainz.

Deep corner met by Duffy. Had the best chance for a late winner after he collected following link up play from Kellen Fisher and Abuy Kamara but his deflected shot was shovelled behind.

Amankwah Forson            5

On the margins for most part but he can be forgiven that after a hectic few days following his move from Austria, emergency debut at Oxford and then eye-catching League Cup outing at home to Stevenage.

Glimpses of his quality still on show. Surrounded by three Blackburn markers but a nice pivot and turn out of trouble just past the hour mark. Exchanged passes with Doyle to drive into the area but his cross was blocked.

Gabe Forsyth                    7

Life is good for the Scottish teenage midfielder who almost marked his senior full debut for the Canaries with a screamer from over 30 yards that was arrowing towards the top corner before Pears acrobatically tipped it around his post.

Left his mark on Brittain with a thumping early challenge and was involved in a swift counter that released Stacey and Sainz in a positive start. Understandably tired into the second half before his substitution.

Josh Sargent          8

Clearly Norwich’s attacking talisman. Stack of first half openings brought no reward but perseverance paid off when he rifled Doyle’s perfect pass into the roof of the net and then drove from inside his own half to link with Nunez and pick out Sainz for a tap in.

But could have added a few more to this goal contribution tally prior to the interval. Pears’ sloppy touch in possession saw him close down Sondre Tronstad but drag a low angled shot wide. The bar rattled from his close range near post header.

Then Pears kicked away another effort after he appeared to be manhandled in the act of shooting. A point he made forcibly to the official after a break in play seconds later when Tronstad’s last-ditch block denied him again.

Borja Sainz             7

Quiet first half in the main in the creative stakes, although he unleashed the first attempt in the second minute and closed down Pears to slide in Sargent, who should score. But enjoyed his work after the interval.

Scorpion kick effort diverted Nunez’s free kick into the side netting. Slaloming run halted by Rankin-Costello. Simple finish from Sargent pass but had to be in the right position.

Subs

Jose Cordoba (for Chrisene, 58)            6

Worth the wait for the Panamanian centre back. Showed his pace to come across and halt Tyrhys Dolan. Lovely chipped pass released Stacey and another calm intervention on the ball opened up the pitch for Doyle to raid.

Onel Hernandez (for Forsyth, 58)           6

Statement against Stevenage and introduced for the final half-an-hour. Excellent vision to spring Sargent for Sainz’s goal. Was on the move again when he was hauled down up in support of McLean.

Liam Gibbs (for Forson, 76)                   n/a

Kellen Fisher (for Sainz, 89)                   n/a

Driving run and link with Kamara down the left led to late Nunez chance.

Abu Kamara (for Sargent, 89)                n/a

Offered for Kellen Fisher before rolling in the Chilean to test Pears.