Norwich Triumph in Five-Goal Royals Rumble

Norwich City 3-2 Reading
Vrancic 14', Hanley 26',                                         Kelly 32', Smith 51'
Maddison 37' pen                    

Sky Bet Championship | Saturday 17th March 2018

As football league fixtures go, Norwich vs Reading has produced a remarkable volume of theatrical moments. The goal which leaves arguably the most indelible mark on the memory is Grant Holt's stoppage-time clincher in February 2011. With the Canaries chasing a Premier League dream and heading towards a one all draw, the visitors cleared into the Geoffrey Watling stand. Former Norwich CEO David McNally threw the ball from the director's box down to manager Paul Lambert on the touchline. Within seconds, Holt had bundled the ball over the line to defeat their fellow promotion challengers.

How both teams must crave such momentum in 2018. The Yellows operate consistently in the middle reaches of the Sky Bet Championship while the Royals linger ominously above the drop-zone, having won only once in seventeen matches. A play-off final defeat last season in which the R's lost to Huddersfield Town on penalties has only accentuated their decline this season; the future of manager Jaap Stam hangs in the balance.

The visitors showed some fight from the outset when trainee striker Sam Smith clattered into Timm Klose on the touchline. Despite the protests of those in yellow, the linesman puzzlingly left his flag by his side. After some treatment the imperious defender returned to the fray. It would be the first of many battle scars.

After the direct running of Josh Murphy earned Norwich a corner James Maddison's outswinger was met by the airborne Grant Hanley. The former Blackburn defender's header flashed towards the back post where Bosnia international Mario Vrancic was waiting. With Royals keeper Anssi Jaakkola left stranded, Vrancic completed the most elementary task; nodding in from two yards to give the hosts a one nil lead.

As the Beast from the East returned snowflakes swirled in the Norfolk air. Reading cultivated a chance to restore parity shortly after Vrancic's opener. Modou Barrow glided down the right flank and stood up a cross to the back post. Smith evinced naivety whilst fluffing his header from five yards. Angus Gunn gleefully snatched the ball out of the blistering wind. 

More potent dribbling by Murphy caused Chris Gunter problems and earned another corner. Maddison whipped in another enticing set-piece. Yet again Hanley was first to it. The Scotland international used brute force to shake off Tiago Ilori and head past Jaakkola into the bottom right corner. With hands on hips and eyes fixed on the turf the visiting players looked resigned to defeat after only twenty-six minutes. One year on from a 7-1 defeat in the same fixture, those in the away section of the Jarrolds Stand feared another mauling.



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Reading's approach seemed liberal, and their formation fluid. Defender Tyler Blackett could often be found in a centre-forward position. However, this translated more as an abandonment of responsibility rather than an exhibition of Total Football. The only assertive player in blue and white hoops was young midfielder Liam Kelly. He perpetually collected the ball from deep and tried to manipulate the home defence with his passing range. His free-kick from the left-flank after thirty-five minutes forced City keeper Angus Gunn to hastily punch clear. Pelle Clement's shot from the edge of the box ricocheted into the path of Sone Aluko. His toe-poke was saved by the outstretched left leg of Gunn. The rebound fell to Kelly who from ten yards sent a right foot volley across the Manchester City loannee and into the bottom right corner.

Norwich retorted, bisecting the Reading defence with the pace of Murphy and Onel Hernandez. Vrancic chipped towards Murphy and the academy graduate galloped down the left. Once more the Royals defence was found in complete disarray. Murphy centred for Maddison in acres of space. With his first touch the England Under-21 international lifted over the erratic Jaakkola who lunged into the Coventry-born midfielder. Referee Oliver Langford had no choice but to point to the spot and caution the Finnish keeper. From twelve yards Maddison stuttered, observing the pink outline of Jaakkola stepping to his left, and rolled the ball into the opposite corner.

Pelle Clement's poorly timed tackle on Harrison Reed earned the Dutchman a yellow card and compounded a miserable half for the R's. Jaap Stam ambled towards the tunnel in deep contemplation; it would require something special to salvage the match and something biblical to save his job.

The talismanic Kelly had not given up. Five minutes into the second half two academy graduates pulled Reading back into contention. The Irishman produced an expert in-swinging cross from the left which Sam Smith calmly volleyed to the right of Gunn and into the net to mark his first football league goal. The visitors went full stream ahead and almost drew level five minutes later. Dave Edwards' raking cross-field pass allowed Barrow a clear sight of goal. The former Swansea winger shot tamely straight towards Gunn. A collective sigh of relief emanated from the stands.

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Norwich had rolled with the punches in the second half and finally threw one of their own on the hour mark. A pirouette on the touchline allowed Hernandez to stride on. A quick one-two with Dennis Srbeny convinced the winger to drive across the face of goal. His cross was deflected by the desperate Ilori and Jaakkola was helpless as the ball rattled off the base of the post.

Just as Reading were growing into the game Jaap Stam displayed the tactical ineptitude which has sullied their season. To the bemusement of the travelling contingent, the bright and industrious Liam Kelly was hauled off and replaced with Joey Van Den Berg.

Fifteen minutes from time Hanley's long punt forward was knocked down by Murphy and Srbeny - with ample time - side-footed past the base of Jaakkola's left post from a mere ten yards. It is this toothlessness rather than any defensive deficiency which has prevented Norwich from reaching their promotion targets this season.

Klose was in the wars again in the closing moments when Clement's long range attempt struck the Swiss defender on the temple, but he wearily played on; determined to finish what he had started. The Canaries showed resilience to claim victory. Substitute Yann Kermogant flicked Barrow's corner stylishly towards goal from six yards. Gunn revealed razor sharp reactions to paw the ball away with a huge right glove.

With an astute backline and young attacking players full of promise such as Maddison and Murphy, Norwich already have many of the raw materials necessary to mount a promotion push next season. For Reading on the other hand, they may have to deconstruct further before they can build something sustainable.



Teams (Player Ratings in Bold)
Norwich City
Gunn - 7, Pinto - 7, Hanley - 8, Klose - 7, Lewis - 6.5, Reed - 7, Vrancic - 7, Hernández - 8 (Zimmermann 90+5'), Maddison - 7.5, Murphy - 8 (Hoolahan 90+2'), Srbeny - 6 (Watkins 90')
Reading
Jaakkola 5.5, Gunter - 6.5, Ilori - 6, Moore - 6, Blackett - 6,  Clement - 5.5, Kelly - 7 (van den Berg 62' - 6), Edwards - 6 (Kermorgant 82' - 6), Aluko - 6.5 (Swift 52' - 6), Smith - 6, Barrow - 7 

 

Referee: Oliver Langford

Attendance: 25,098

Canaries Fail to Get Off The Ground in Forest Draw

Norwich City 0-0 Nottingham Forest
Sky Bet Championship | Tuesday 6th March 2018

For teams in the middle reaches of the Championship table the last quarter of the season is often a time for consolidation; an opportunity for coaches to identify the talented players, the weak links, and build the foundations for the following year. Alternatively, some late developers strive towards the play-offs in a final flourish.

Norwich City, still in the first year of Daniel Farke's managerial reign, have been inconsistent throughout this term, yet they have shown promising signs, forging unbeaten runs in September and February. Nottingham Forest too have some cause for optimism. Despite having a wearying season so far, they were unbeaten in four before the Carrow Road encounter. 

New Reds manager Aitor Karanka invoked a squad overhaul in the January transfer window and it would seem as though new additions and old faces are beginning to mould together. A 2-1 home win over Birmingham City last week was preceded by a 2-5 hammering of QPR at Loftus Road. The former Real Madrid assistant made one change from the team that triumphed at the City Ground; Kieran Dowell replaced Cardiff City loanee Lee Tomlin. 

In the home dugout Farke made two alterations to the XI who drew 0-0 with Bolton Wanderers. Convalescent Swiss defender Timm Klose returned in defence at the expense of Christoph Zimmermann. The German coach dropped striker Nelson Oliveira, concerned by his attitude in training, and handed a start to Dennis Srbeny.  

Visiting marksman Ben Brereton took to the game with gumption and physicality which belied his tender age of eighteen. When Grant Hanley headed back towards his keeper, Brereton charged Angus Gunn, bundling he ball from the Norwich keeper's grasp. Thankfully for the Canaries Harrison Reed cleared to safety.

Ten minutes had elapsed when Brereton threatened once more. Everton loanee Dowell gained possession on the halfway line and shimmied past Klose. As the England Under-21 midfielder sallied forth a three versus two situation developed in Forest's favour. Dowell passed to Brereton on the right. From eight yards the forward dragged a show across goal. To his dismay, the ball whizzed past the base of the left post. 

Norwich's riposte included two set-pieces taken by James Maddison. The first was headed away by visiting defender Tobias Figueiredo. The second, a corner from the right, was curled expertly onto the head of Josh Murphy. The left winger steered a header towards the top right corner. Reds keeper Costel Pantilimon used all of his six foot eight inch frame to leap across goal and claw the ball away.

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Karanka arranged his team in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ben Watson and Jack Colback screened the back four and intercepted probing passes. Upon regaining possession Forest intended to strike on the counter attack by utilising the pace of Dowell, Matty Cash and Joe Lolley. In one instance, swift passes between Lolley and Dowell provided Brereton with another chance. From the right side of the area Brereton chipped over the sprawling Gunn. However, his effort landed in The Barclay Stand.

Norwich slowly gained control of the first period. Their dominance manifested in a trio of half-chances. First Onel Hernandez invited opposite winger Murphy to shoot from the left side of the area. The academy graduate's drive towards the near post was diverted into the sidenetting by the right boot of Pantilimon. Next Maddison executed a sequence of step-overs, waiting for Ben Osborn to make his move. Maddison sent a low cross-shot through the six yard box which Srbeny and Jamal Lewis flung themselves towards. The attempt trickled out for a goal-kick.

Finally, Murphy tried another dipping effort from thirty yards. Its tortuous flight almost deceived Pantilimon and the Romanian keeper could only parry into the danger zone. Osborn was alert to intervene before the arrival of the marauding Reed. 

Forest are evidently still in the embryonic stages of their development and showed little sign of breaking the deadlock before the interval. Brereton, the team's focal point, had to make the most of a scarce supply. City defender Grant Hanley subtly nudged his marker to prevent him controlling an aerial pass. In the following phase Brereton, seeking retribution, executed an ungainly diving shoulder barge on the former Newcastle man. At least the crowd were amused if not entertained.

The home side continued to labour after the break and cultivated a fine opportunity on the fiftieth minute. A thirty yard lofted pass by Moritz Leitner released Hernandez down the right. After reaching the goal line the German back-heeled into the path of Maddison. With ample time to pick his spot, the ex-Coventry midfielder blazed into the swathes of Norwich fans behind the goal.

Maddison is undoubtedly the shining light of this Norwich side; demanding the ball in every position, always seeking to probe with rapid runs and incisive passes. However, he must continue to improve the end product. His long-range strikes against Reading, Middlesbrough, and Brentford prove just what he is capable of. 

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A mindless pitch invader emerged from the away section of the Jarrolds Stand with his trousers around his ankles. After eventually having his collar felt he was led towards the hotel which separates both sets of supporters. The jester appeared to wake Forest from their stupor. Dowell crossed fiercely from the left and found Cash unmarked.  From eight yards the Reds academy product could only head wide.

The introduction of Wes Hoolahan signified Farke's last roll of the dice. His artistry and experience helped the home side manufacture a few dangerous crossing opportunities but the visitors stood firm. Furthermore, the busy Irishman's twenty-five-yarder was comfortably fielded by Pantilimon.

Forest created the game's ultimate chance with five minutes remaining. Substitute striker Apostolos Vellios dispossessed Hanley and Lolley pushed the loose ball towards Brereton. Advancing into the area from the left the young striker unleashed a drive from ten yards which  Gunn did remarkably well to hold. While a stalemate was the right result, victory was the cost of the Reds' naivety in front of goal.

While this fallow game extinguished any latent hopes of reaching the play-offs, it was a fine indication of the strengths and weaknesses of both teams and the areas in which they must progress. Norwich have a stable core led by Alex Tettey, and one of the most exciting young talents in English football in James Maddison. On the other hand, their front three are largely impotent. If given the chance to continue as manager, Farke should focus on refining these components of his team.

From a Nottingham perspective, injuries have forced Karanka into selecting a rather makeshift back four, making it difficult for the Spaniard to assess the merits and pitfalls of his squad at this stage. With that being said, the Reds own a talented young forward line, and in Ben Watson and Jack Colback can claim a midfield pairing capable of controlling the tempo of any game at Championship level.



Teams (Player ratings in Bold)
Norwich City
Gunn 7, Reed 6.5, Hanley 7, Klose 6.5, Lewis 6, Leitner 7, Tettey 7 (Vrancic 86' - 5) Hernández 7, Maddison 7.5, Murphy 6.5 (Hoolahan 72'  - 6.5) Srbeny 5.5 (Watkins 72' - 5)
Nottingham Forest
Pantilimon 7.5, Darikwa 6.5, Pereira Figueiredo 6.5, Fox 7, Osborn 6.5, Watson 7, Colback 7, Cash 6, Dowell 6 (Vellios79' - 5) Lolley 6, Brereton 6.5 

Referee: Darren England

Attendance: 25,184 (742 Nottingham Forest fans)