Coventry City vs Norwich City. Sky Bet Championship.
The Coventry Building Society ArenaAttendance27,353.
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship clash between Coventry City and Norwich City at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday | Borja Sainz strike seals victory for Canaries.
Saturday 31 August 2024 16:49, UK
Borja Sainz's second-half strike proved enough to secure Norwich their first win of the Sky Bet Championship campaign as they edged a 1-0 victory at Coventry.
Sainz's heavily deflected effort left Sky Blues goalkeeper Oliver Dovin completely wrong-footed in the 49th minute and secured all three points for the Canaries.
The Sky Blues threatened an opener in the seventh minute when Jake Bidwell sent a well-directed aerial ball into path of Ellis Simms, who pulled his effort across the face of goal.
Norwich responded two minutes later when Republic of Ireland international defender Shane Duffy headed just over the bar following an aggressive delivery from a corner.
Coventry's Japanese winger Tatsuhiro Sakamoto weaved around the attempted challenges on the edge of the area in the 26th minute but dragged his shot wide of the target.
The first half continued to be an open affair and in the 40th minute Bidwell sent in an inviting cross in from the left but Simms misjudged the flight of the ball and headed over the target.
Then three minutes later, an incisive through-ball caught the Coventry defence on the back foot as Jack Stacey charged into the penalty area. However he was unable to get control of the bobbling ball as it ran through to Dovin before the right-back could get a shot away.
The lively Stacey was pivotal in the game's only goal. The former Bournemouth wing-back sent in a cross which fell to the feet of Sainz, whose shot took a huge deflection off Joel Latibeaudiere and left Dovin completely helpless.
Norwich keeper Angus Gunn had to make a crucial block midway through the second half to deny Ephron Mason-Clark. The winger's low shot was destined for the bottom corner until Gunn's outstretched boot diverted it behind for a corner.
That proved to be Coventry's last serious chance on goal, with Sainz narrowly missing the chance to double his and Norwich's tally when his 77th minute attempt curled just wide.
Coventry's Mark Robins:
"Very disappointing. You've got to match the opponent for their work-rate before you earn the right to play any football.
"First half there was very little in it, we probably had the better chances and looked like we could go toe to toe with them and go on and beat them.
"In the second half we got really disjointed, we stopped running and found it difficult to pick people up. The first rule in football, you've got to stay with your runners.
"There was a disconnect between the players in areas, so we've got plenty of work to do on that."
Norwich's Johannes Hoff Thorup:
"It's something you wish can happen in the first game you play, but that was not the case and we had to wait a little while.
"What I'm most satisfied about is the attitude and the mentality of the team, we controlled the game - they had chances, but the mindset we played this game with, I am really pleased about.
"The defensive job was outstanding. If you only have a one-goal lead towards the end there will be some moments when you have to support each other and defend with everything you have.
"There's a good spirit in the group and there's a positivity around what we're doing. I'd like to say full support to the players because they've been terrific so far and they really buy into what we are trying to build here.
"I think especially what we saw at the start of the second half today was a big step in the right direction."
