Stoke City 1-1 Norwich: Paddy Davitt Championship marks
Paddy Davitt rates Johannes Hoff Thorup’s Norwich City, who were full value for a first half lead but were unable to pick up the pace again after Stoke’s equaliser.
George Long 6
First league start since November 28 last year in the absence of Angus Gunn. Made a couple of sprawling stops going full length to keep out angled strikes from Tom Cannon and Andrew Moran.
But questions asked on his positioning, and how far he was off his line, for Million Manhoef’s curling equaliser whipped around Callum Doyle.
Great starting position to race out and clear in front of Cannon in the 36th minute after denying the Stoke frontman three minutes in.
Thwarted Moran in the 63rd minute and had to tip over Josh Sargent’s miscued defensive clearance at his near post.
Kellen Fisher 6
Not quite the focal presence in possession of recent games stepping into those midfield pockets. Diverted a ball back to Long with Manhoef tumbling over his challenge in the quest for a soft penalty.
Crunched Bae Junho after his initial poor control sparked a Stoke turnover. Hit the first man when found by a slaloming Anis Ben Slimane run to attack the Potters’ box. Dink cross seconds later was pawed over his bar by Johansson.
Shane Duffy 7
Excellent reading of the game defensively to front up Cannon and a get a block on his first half shot. Then later in the half a similar sense of danger halted Enda Stevens on the overlap. Superb threaded release for Crnac to turn in central midfield, but the Croatian dallied enough to be dispossessed.
Jose Cordoba 7
No signs of that knee issue which saw him sit out his country’s two recent friendlies. Looked a Potters plan to drop the ball in behind the Panamanian, down his defensive channel, to exploit the pace of Cannon.
Needed George Long to be alert in the third minute when Cannon escaped before unleashing an angled strike. A couple of key interceptions to halt Stoke counters. Brings that composure to build the play from deep even with Stoke pressing high in spells.
Callum Doyle 6
Attracted inside to try and deal with Wouter Burger and then unable to close down Manhoef quickly enough for the whipped leveller. Flicked on Jose Cordoba’s ball to release Sargent but the American opted for a shot with Doyle bursting into the area on the overlap.
Controlled Kenny McLean’s pass and had the presence to reverse the ball for Borja Sainz to test Viktor Johansson at his near post. Invited forward by Emi Marcondes before slamming a rising shot into the side netting.
Kenny McLean 7
Towering header kept out by the scrambling Johansson. Involved in the majority of Norwich’s brighter attacking work prior to the interval. Linked with Marcelino Nunez and Slimane to work in Sargent. Nunez foiled by Johansson from close range in the 22nd minute was a move sourced by McLean.
Then rose to meet the Chilean’s corner two minutes later but the Swede went diving to his left to keep out the header. Burst through the middle two more minutes later but choked his low, left footed effort. Plenty of composure to swerve away from the edge of his own area to release Kellen Fisher.
Drifting angled ball for Ante Crnac, who tried to force this way through his marker without success. Then another pinpoint ball snapped into Doyle to release Sainz to test Johansson.
