After defeating Hull City on Friday night, Norwich City managed to get within two points of the Championship play-off spots thanks to a brilliant goal from Jonathan Rowe.
At MKM Stadium, his single goal was the highlight of a rather lacklustre first half, during which the home team’s leading scorer, Aaron Connolly, was sidelined after just 15 minutes due to injury.
Before the half, the Tigers managed to muster not a single effort on goal; nevertheless, as they attempted to equalise after the break, Ozan Tufan struck the post.
Regan Slater’s 25-yard attempt appeared to be going into the top corner, but Angus Gunn made a spectacular save. Late in the game, Christian Fassnacht scored Norwich’s second goal, and Tyler Morton scored what turned out to be a late consolation goal for the Tigers.
With the victory, Norwich rose up five spots to eighth place in the standings, just one point behind seventh-place Hull, who dropped their last five games.
Fabio Carvalho, who joined Hull on loan from Liverpool, made his debut. David Wagner also called up six players who were rested for Norwich’s FA Cup match against Bristol Rovers, including Gabriel Sara, who came into the game having created a Championship-high 74 chances this season.
Soon after receiving the ball in a dangerous position on the left of the box, Carvalho—who won promotion with Fulham in the 2021–2022 season—had space for a curler into the top corner, but his hesitant effort was stopped as he seemed to be taken off guard.
After a poorly timed challenge by Shane Duffy, Connolly sustained a foot injury that required medical attention. Six minutes later, he was involved in a severe collision with Gunn, which resulted in a concussion and ended his evening early.
Josh Sargent’s pass to Borja Sainz, who misplayed the opportunity high over the bar, gave Norwich a decent chance as both teams looked to push high up the pitch. However, a string of fouls prevented either team from providing a coherent attacking threat.
With his swinging arm catching Hull full-back Lewie Coyle, Dimi Giannoulis—wearing a mask resembling Zorro—may have been lucky to escape with a yellow card, but the Canaries were jubilant moments later when Rowe won the ball just past the centre circle, sidestepped three defenders, and steered the ball past Ryan Allsop with the outside of his foot.
Rowe and Marcelino Nunez were penalised for making shoddy tackles on Carvalho, who was receiving harsh treatment upon his return to the
Shortly after Sargent had stung Allsop’s hands at the other end, Tufan, who had received yellow cards for simulation, made up for his poor start to the second half by striking the upright with Hull’s greatest effort to date.
After being moved from the left to the right, Carvalho, who was in high form, set up Tufan’s chance with a deft chip. Tufan then had a chance of his own, but he dragged his attempt across the goal line.
