Stoke 0 Norwich (2) 3 – 16/3/24 3pm
An easy win for Norwich, with poor Stoke defending and inadequacies in front of goal. City fans disillusioned by this performance that had them fuming at the players and the ref. Stoke still vulnerable towards the bottom of the league. Here’s how it unfolded in real time:
Two wins out of 3 means that Stoke are out (just) of the relegation zone, and defeat here should keep them out of the bottom-3. But Burger is suspended (unnecessary) replaced by Pearson (very unnecessary!). But the big story is Ryan Mmaee returning to the squad after an internal suspension. The bad boy returns! (And for once it isn’t Pearson!!)
0.57 Good save by Stoke’s Daniel Iversen from a volley by Borja Sainz on the edge of the box. Norwich start lively. It’ll be a long game for Stoke unless they get a toe in quickly. In fact the whole foot!
12.05 Hoever weaves into the box, beating two players, and his shot from a narrow angle deflects off keeper Angus Gunn against the post and across the goalmouth. Would have been goal of the season if that had gone in. But sadly not.
20.01 Jordan Thompson on for injured Pearson.
23.54 0-1 !!! Two Norwich players break looking offside…, but the replay showed them as a couple of yards onside!! Sainz and Josh Sargent make monkeys of Stoke’s defence, with Sargent slipping as he slides home easily. Embarrassing.
26.26 Great impulse save by Iversen after a cross from Stoke’s left looked like it would be converted by Sainz.
27.14 0-2 !! Another break, this time down Stoke’s right, and it’s another easy goal for Norwich, although it was beautifully planted in the bottom right corner of the goal by Gabriel Sara.
32.01 Josh Laurent heads over from a corner when it seemed easier to do practically anything else.
35.25 Stoke look a disaster at the back, with Norwich strikers and wingers having the run of the Boothen End of the pitch. Stadium emptying.
45+3 Ball in net from corner for Stoke but ref has blown for half time!! Of course he has.
HT City 0 City 2!
45.00 Million Manhoef on for Ben Wilmot. That leaves Rose and McNally in a back 4.
Attendance 21887. Not now there isn’t!
50.25 Campbell looked like he’d beaten the offside trap…but somehow the linesman thinks otherwise! Crowd not pleased.
53.10 Million adding some wizardry, but his shot is deflected away and Campbell’s header flies over.
54.40 Campbell booked, although it looked like Hoever that made the challenge. Must’ve been dissent. Can’t think why.
57.30 Ryan Mmaee and Niall Ennis on for Campbell and Baker. Another big cheer to see Tyrese withdrawn, like last week. Bad-boy Mmaee returns to action.
59.27 0-3 !!! From a corner, the ball is blasted in from close range by Ashley Barnes. Stoke fans leaving and they’re not just going for a pint!
65.15 Sargent and Rose get into a tussle which looked like it might have ended in fisticuffs!
69.00 Danny Batth comes on for Norwich.
72.22 Another good save by Iversen From point blank range.
73.15 Luke Cundle on for Gooch.
79.55 Ennis starts limping after a challenge from behind by Batth.
81.40 Mmaee blots his copy book as Stoke break but Ryan’s pass to Million is too heavy. He should have taken a shot.
87.02 Another miss by Ennis, 2 in five minutes. Another heavy toucher!
89.30 Mmaee through, but shot saved. Even Thompson has a shot deflected over.
92.30 Hoever hits the bar from distance! Twice he’s hit the woodwork.
FT 0-3. Stoke beat themselves.
