The ACN Match Review 24/25 – Stoke (h) | OneFootball

How did we play?

This wasn’t a storming, on a run to the play-off positions kind of win but it was better than recent games. We had our usual good start followed by a nice little lie down but this time we were actually a goal up before we let Stoke score an easy one. Then Sarge did his bit and it was all over, despite Shane Duffy’s efforts to make it difficult for ourselves. Stoke didn’t really turn up so it’s hard to honestly say how well we played but there were plenty of bright performances and at one point we had two defensive midfielders on the pitch, which was a treat we don’t often see and one that worked quite well.

What was the best bit of the game?

For the first 30 minutes this was perfect top-half EFL Championship quality play, where lots of lovely moves come together only to see the final ball blasted over the bar / go wide / slam into someone’s arse. But then Lewis Dobbin took probably the most difficult of the many chances we’d had with calmness and deftness of feet and we all felt better about not being 5-0 up as we really should’ve been.

What was the worst bit of the game?

Shane Duffy had one of those games where his passing was too often just a second too late at times (although at times it felt like five minutes too late). So it was only natural that Stoke should equalise thanks to his mistake, and then score again when he conceded a penalty.

What was the atmosphere like?

It’s obvious to say but bloody hell a bit of sunshine and warmth makes a difference to being at a football match. Finally we could walk to the ground without being utterly freezing and wearing 17 layers. Carrow Road looked glorious in the early spring light; the Stoke fans gave us a bit before their team caved in and we all had a nice sing-song thanks to some good play and four goals.

Hero of the match

Marcelino Núñez was excellent. Was it because he had a proper defensive midfielder behind him, happy to sweep up and play simple passes to him, rather than another creative player getting in his way? Quite possibly. There are some games where it’s just nice to watch a player like Núñez do his thing, and this was one.

Summary in Five Words

Norwich play better in sunshine.