the rest... "first goal in 40 days" "outfought and outplayed" et al. ffs

The best that can be said about Norwich City is that as awfully poor as they were, they just about survived. Ordinarily a first win in eight matches would be good for the confidence but they were outfought and outplayed by Charlton Athletic, two divisions below them in the pyramid.

It was the first win for Dean Smith since his first game in charge of Norwich in November, and a first goal for his side in 40 days. So bad was their first-half display that he made three changes at the break, and two of the substitutes combined for the only goal. Teemu Pukki ran clear and picked out Milot Rashica to find the empty net, prompting a fan to run on to the pitch and try to get at some of the Norwich players before he was carried off by stewards.

Norwich took 39 minutes to have their first shot and managed only three on target. They escaped several times at the back, including in the final seconds, when Ben Purrington turned a set piece on to the bar. They had not played in 12 days because of Covid-19 and Charlton were hosting a top-flight side for the first time since being relegated from the Premier League in 2007.

Krul reacts to keep out Purrington’s header in the dying seconds of the game
Krul reacts to keep out Purrington’s header in the dying seconds of the game

Though 14th in League One, 38 places lower than Norwich, Charlton left with credit and caused plenty of trouble, even without their joint-top league scorers, Conor Washington and Jayden Stockley. Perhaps they did not test Tim Krul quite enough. Jonathan Leko wasted the best opportunity when he turned over from a few yards and Krul denied Elliot Lee.

Smith made five changes and was notably without Todd Cantwell and Billy Gilmour, both due to knocks. Cantwell’s future at the club is firmly up in the air and Gilmour would have been back in front of some of the same fans who booed him in the 3-0 league defeat away to Crystal Palace. Krul and Grant Hanley returned after about a month out, through Covid and injury respectively, and showed the only fight in the first half when the pair exchanged words near the break, presumably over the disorganised defending on crosses.

It was evident from the start, when Charlton delivered a cross to the far post and Norwich were outnumbered by three to one. Adding to the confusion, Jacob Sorensen miskicked his attempted clearance and Norwich were fortunate to avoid conceding in the ensuing pinball, and then again when Dimitris Giannoulis lost possession and left the entire left flank free.

Sometimes a tackle injects urgency into a side and Ryan Inniss flew in to rob Ozan Kabak of possession after he had charged from the back and across the halfway line. The ball was laid wide and Lee cut in from the left, curling a finish inches past the post. Lee then skipped to the byline and crossed low for Leko, who turned over from a few yards at the near-post. Alex Gilbey struck a low shot that should have been comfortable for Krul to clutch, yet he seemed to misjudge the flight and spooned the ball over the bar.

Charlton’s half-time talk might have centred on Norwich being there for the taking, while Smith made three changes that initially made no difference. Lee turned in the area and his cross-shot was kicked clear by Krul. Kabak tried to take control at the back and made a terrible header that took him out of position when the ball was returned. Mason Burstow kicked himself for wasting the chance and then curled over the bar from outside the penalty area.

Kenny McLean put the ball through for Pukki to create the winner, and Max Aarons was denied by Stephen Henderson in the six minutes of stoppage time.

Posted By: Tombs, Jan 9, 22:54:37