2 weeks Ago
Kenny McLean © 7 Difficult shift with Albion enjoying a numerical advantage in the centre ground. Rare injection of thrust from Norwich in that first half triggered the Sainz and Sargent combination for a big chance saved by Wildsmith. Couple of corners brought chances for Kellen Fisher and Sainz.
Threaded a ball for Sainz who advanced and struck Wildsmith’s chest. Involved in the early phase of the build up to Sargent’s winner. Anis Ben Slimane 5 Ineffective and replaced early in the second half.
Asked to cover a lot of ground in a midfield Albion had the numerical advantage. Ante Crnac 5 Replaced early on in the second half as well but primarily due to fitness concerns with a dead leg picked up in the first half. Sloppy in possession on numerous occasions.
But could have had a goal when he curled wide after Wildsmith’s rebound from Sargent. Josh Sargent 7 Did his talking on the pitch with a match-winning intervention that was out of the top drawer in terms of centre forward play. First the run peeling off the back of Mason Holgate before chopping back inside Bartley and then stabbing the ball under Wildsmith as Holgate tried to recover the ground.
That one made up for a first half strike Wildsmith kicked away with his left leg. Limited service otherwise given the way Norwich set up. But his reaction to his goal told you what it meant.
Talisman. Borja Sainz 6 Lovely weight and timing on the throughball for Sargent to try and slot past Wildsmith in the 17th minute. Foiled by the Albion keeper himself when switched central after the interval.
Whipped a right footed effort wide of the near post from Fisher’s set. Wayward free kick in the 25th minute drifted over the dead ball line. Subs Emi Marcondes (for Slimane, 55) 6 Robbed Swift to roll in McLean to spark the Norwich match-winning move.
Marcelino Nunez (for Crnac, 55) 7 Bent an 85th minute free kick wide of the near post but a majestic clip with the outside of his foot that arced away from two Albion defenders for Sargent to do the rest. Jacob Wright (for Sorensen, 75) 6 Neat and tidy and injected some urgency into City’s passing motions. Ruairi McConville (for Stacey, 94) 6 Got back on the line to head away Grady Diangana’s follow up from Gunn’s heroics against Bartley.
Oscar Schwartau (for Sainz, 94) 5 Beaten on the outside by Mikey Johnston to stand up the cross for Bartley to head goalwards..
