Norwich City celebrate their 2-1 win against Bristol City (Image: PA)Here’s Samuel Seaman’s verdict on Norwich City, who came from behind to beat Bristol City with Adam Idah’s last-minute winner.
Angus Gunn A welcome return to the team and an improvement that David Wagner will be very grateful for during this difficult time.
Will be frustrated with the opening goal as he pushed Andreas Weimann’s cross straight at Jason Knight to break the deadlock, but then made up for it with a superb save from Tommy Conway.
He handled a number of crosses well and the home side adopted a more optimistic attacking strategy towards the end, making good saves and distributing reliably. 6Jack StaceyAn improved performance from a right-back who has been inconsistent at best in recent months.
Pressed well and threatening the Robins defense in combination with Jonathan Rowe on the Norwich right.
He could have produced a dangerous counterattack in the 19th minute if his teammates had been able to keep up with him However, he still looked suspicious and was well out of position to leave Conway behind before firing directly at Gunn in the 38th minute.
6Shane DuffyHe showed good hopes on several occasions of getting the win in Norwich’s box, but struggled with distribution. Aimless pummeling forward was common and a yellow card in the 25th minute undermined his aggressive defending.
Left behind by Conway’s pace as he pushed towards goal, there was the element of holding on until half-time. After City’s goal, they were able to sit deeper and absorb the pressure.
However, the Irishman is in his element, frequently directing headers, kicks, blocks and attacks.One of the main reasons why Norwich have managed to hold on defensively is that they need to improve their work with the ball. 6Kenny McLeanA decent change in a new position from Mr. Reliable.
The hosts’ lack of height favored him over other attacks in the Championship, but he still dealt well with the fact that any mistake he made would now most likely be punished with a goal.
Kenny McLean put in a strong performance at left-back (Image: PA)He moved to defense in part because of his ability to play from the back, but he had few options and no movement from those in front of him.
Other wise, a smart tactical decision from Wagner for a game as he suggested after the game. 7Dimitris Giannoulis Normally City are the more consistent and reliable player in possession, but he was a real shock in the first half.
He gave Bristol possession twice early on and struggled to find teammates with his passes and crosses.Made a significant improvement after the break and saw his midfielder deflect past Max O’Leary to score for Norwich.
Replaced, what is hoped for is just a late blow to the ankle. 6Marcelino NúñezA busier, more composed performance from someone whose talent is beyond doubt but who has sometimes struggled to express it during his City career.
He distributed himself quite well from a deeper role and found Onel Hernández in good positions, but didn’t have much impact on the game in the advanced areas. His technical qualities are evident whenever he has to control the ball, but in the more important moments he has to find a way to use it.
Resisted quite well defensively in a strange deployment in front of the four defenders. 7Gabriel SaraOnce again a plus, physically, offensively and in the passing game. He sprayed the ball at will and controlled the pitch whenever he had possession.
A fantastic pass would have taken another step up in the assist belt if Ashley Barnes had found a way to control her volley before another was key to the equaliser.
The Brazilian is back in great form but needs his teammates to improve to help him demonstrate this form. 8Jonathan RoweSimilar to the ones Rowe fans have come to know and love, but with fewer ringing runs and more collaboration with teammates.
Things looked pretty rusty after weeks on the bench, but he was still a cut above the performances of his fellow wingers in his absence.
He looked understandably tired when replaced by Christian Fassnacht midway through the second half. 6Liam Gibbs Surprisingly effective in an advanced role that has caused frustration on previous occasions. It was a great reward for him to run the channels when his centers were constantly under threat.
He was harassed and tormented and made the most of the few services he received. Major doubts remain over his suitability as a second striker, but he can only do what Wagner asks of him. Probably his best performance since scoring in the 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers in April. 7Onel HernandezIt looked more like a big afternoon for Hernandez after the shock win at Watford five days earlier.
Onel Hernandez improved on his performance during last Tuesday’s trip to Watford (Image: PA)He hits the post with a well-worn half-volley in the 24th minute, after beating Nunez on the edge of the penalty area and beating George Tanner down Bristol’s right.
Tactical improvements were needed at times to help his full-back, but otherwise a significant improvement. 7Ashley BarnesLike Hernandez, Barnes needed improvement and he showed that at Ashton Gate.
The bar was certainly low, but in Josh Sargent’s absence, he seemed more like the solution.His first action was to push Rob Dickie unnecessarily, but midway through the first half he created a chance with good chest control before firing the ball over the goal.
Sara deserves credit for this impressive pass to the 33-year-old, but it was a more committed performance from Barnes in his home country. 6SUBSTITUTE Adam Idah (for Barnes, 62)Too often he was poorly controlled when his teammates found him in a good position, but after another big moment, no one cares anymore.
Wagner clearly saw him as an excellent replacement after late wins against Hull and Cardiff, and perhaps he was right. Fantastic composure to ensure he crossed his marker before passing Max O’Leary. 7
Adam Idah was the star at Ashton Gate (Image: PA)Christian Fassnacht (for Rowe, 62)Made little impact apart from a clever pass when Norwich broke out of defence.
Not the profile of a winger who seems to appreciate this recent form. 5Przemyslaw Placheta (for Hernández, 75 years old)We made him run down the wing and cross and that’s exactly what he did.
Fans of the same type of cameo will be used to seeing it by now, but Paint by Numbers is effective. 6Sam McCallum (enters for Giannoulis, 75)A beautiful pass for Nunez. He could have done more to defend the Bristol crosses that regularly came his way, but he did quite well.
5Borja Sainz (enters for Gibbs, 83)He ran like someone he wanted to impress, which is not surprising after the treatment he has received so far in a Norwich shirt. 6
