Paddy rates Johannes Hoff Thorup’s Norwich City, who picked up a first league win and first clean of the campaign in an assured victory at the Sky Blues.

Angus Gunn            7

Secure when tested but well-protected by those in front for the most part as Coventry City failed to really trouble the Norwich stopper for all their late urging. Kicked away Haji Wright’s shot on the angle in the 11th minute, after he squared up Shane Duffy.

Was alert when Amankwah Forson’s touch from Josh Eccles’ delivery spiralled towards Ellis Simms at his near post. Sharp reactions again in the 68th minute to block Ephron Mason-Clark’s low effort veering inside his near post.

Jack Stacey            8

The full back’s natural attacking instincts brought Norwich’s winner, when he showed for Marcelino Nunez and then produced a cross deflected into Borja Sainz’s path. Drifted an early cross behind when found by Callum Doyle.

Picked out Sainz after a 20-pass move but the Spaniard wanted to take a touch. Fired over on the angle in the 34th minute. Broke into the box just before the interval but got Forson’s ball stuck under his feet.

Was on the overlap again in the 52nd minute to feed Anis Ben Slimane, who slipped as he tried to cut into the box.

Shane Duffy            7

Few difficult early moments when isolated against the likes of Wright and Simms in the channels, but could have thumped Norwich in front with a soaring leap to meet a Nunez corner and a header that cleared the bar.

Sound defensive instincts to dive in front of Tatsuhiro Sakamoto’s rising shot in the 19th minute. Got his body in the way again to block a rising Wright effort. Showed a willingness to step into midfield at the right times and release Stacey just past the hour mark.

Touch fortunate to see a sliding near post flick divert Mason-Clark’s cross just past Angus Gunn’s far post in the 72nd minute.

Callum Doyle                     8

Emerging as a real leader already. Mark Robins singled him out for criticism after his full-blooded challenge on Sakamoto saw the Japanese wide player depart. But that was typical of his total commitment in how he approached his personal duels. Levered Simms off-balance as he slid an effort beyond Gunn’s far post.

Came across to support Shane Duffy in the 39th minute to halt a Wright burst into the six yard box. Interception on Brandon Thomas-Asante released Josh Sargent into the channel.

Ben Chrisene                    7

Most assured display yet in a yellow shirt. Did depart late on after pulling up sharply, but Thorup indicated in his post-match that was a touch of cramp. Defensively combative and picked his moments to get up in support of Sainz.

Wonderful cross on the run in the 35th minute was met by Ante Crnac, but the Croatian planted his header well off-target.  

Kenny McLean        8

Thorup was asked about his captain's display in his post-match media and in his usually candid way indicated he had not been altogether happy with McLean’s displays in the opening weeks of the campaign.

But he had no complaints over his Coventry shift. There was a spell around the hour mark when his sharp, incisive passing switched the ball at tempo on numerous occasions as he linked with Nunez and Slimane.

Vital sliding intervention on the edge of his own area halted a dangerous Coventry move in the 72nd minute.

Marcelino Nunez     8

Starting to flourish in this Thorup system. The Dane was clearly not happy with what he had seen in the first half with a double half-time substitution, but Nunez was prominent in that pivot role. Set piece accuracy created a big chance for Duffy. Lovely drifting ball over the top of the Coventry defence almost released Sainz.

On the front foot again in support of Sargent but showed a rare lack of composure when the American fired a return into his path. Perfect weight on the thread for Stacey to advance for Norwich’s goal.

Amankwah Forson            5

Remarkable powers of recovery from leaving Selhurst Park with his left arm in a sling a few days earlier to declaring himself fit to start on Championship duty.

But looked off the pace and unable to close the spaces or find those promising attacking pockets. Best moment was the link with Stacey for a big first half opening.

Ante Crnac             5

On the periphery again as he attempts to adapt to the speed, intensity and physicality of the English league. Attacking instincts saw him anticipate a Ben Chrisene cross but head wide. Tried a reverse ball for Sargent moments earlier but over hit his attempt.

Hooked at half-time, along with Forson, and Thorup made it clear in both cases he was not happy with their performance levels.

Learning curve, and the youngster may now benefit from two weeks on the training pitches at Colney after a whirlwind few days in his career.

Josh Sargent          7

Could argue his goalscoring reputation attracted Coventry defenders to the near post as he tried to attacked Stacey’s cross which left Sainz totally unmarked for the goal.

Helped Norwich stretch the play in that first half but well-marshalled by the Sky Blues' backline. Good awareness late on when he hared into the channel onto a Doyle pass to cut it back for Sainz, who tried a curler on his right.

Borja Sainz             7

Touch of fortunate on the finish that clipped a Coventry defender to deceive Oliver Dovin, but do not underplay the 'velcro' touch to kill Stacey’s deflected cross for the set. Wanted too long on another Stacey deliver after a flowing Norwich move in the 33rd minute. Ran into traffic five minutes later in a central area.

Drove past Luis Binks in the 63rd minute but tumbled inside the area and got no encouragement from the official as he led the penalty appeals. Should have spotted Sargent when picked out by Slimane in the 75th minute.

The American did pick the right pass a minute later as Sainz tried a repeat of his goal in the corresponding home fixture last season with a whip from the edge of the box.

Subs

Oscar Schwartau (for Crnac, 45)            6

You can see already the teenager looks the full package. The athleticism to get box-to-box but also the composure and comfort in possession. Screened his near post to good effect as Mason-Clarke burst into the area in the 74th minute.

Anis Ben Slimane (for Forson, 45)                    7

Power, aggression and a high technical level in possession. Seamlessly slotted into that midfield three with Kenny McLean and Nunez to inject Norwich’s play with added urgency and tempo.

Broke into the area onto a Stacey pass but slipped. Cushioned roll for Sainz, who elected to shot from a narrowing angle when Sargent better placed.

Liam Gibbs (for Nunez, 84)                    n/a

Jose Cordoba (for Chrisene, 87)            n/a

Onel Hernandez (for Sainz, 90)              n/a