Coventry City player ratings after stoppage time collapse at Norwich City
Coventry City suffered a stoppage time collapse at Carrow Road when Norwich super sub Amankwah Forson bagged a brace at Carrow Road.
The Sky Blues took the first half lead and appeared to have ridden the storm after the break until the young forward curled in a stunning top corner equaliser in the 91st minute and then scored the winner in the 95th when he drilled home from the edge of the box.
Despite the Canaries forcing Oliver Dovin into two really good early saves, it was the Sky Blues who took the lead when a slick move saw the ball won in midfield and moved across to the left where Jack Rudoni played Jake Bidwell in on the left. The full-back then hit a pinpoint cross to the six-yard box where the unmarked Milan van Ewijk side footed home with home keeper Angus Gunn stranded.
Dovin made another good save to deny Marcondes early in the second half when the Canaries launched a fight-back that saw Kenny McLean head onto the crossbar as the pressure mounted from the home side. Coventry, however, defended aggressively with Bobby Thomas making a crucial block to deny Sainz.
Brandon Thomas-Asante missed a really good chance to secure the points seven minutes from time when he put his shot wide with just the keeper to beat. That proved costly as the Canaries bagged their late equaliser and winner to send City home empty-handed.
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STARTING FORMATION: 3-5-2
OLIVER DOVIN: 7.5
Made a really good and vital save to deny Sainz taking the lead after being played in behind in the 14th minute and came to the rescue again in the 21st minute when he tipped over his bar to deny Marcondes at the near post in an excellent first half. Made another good save early in the second half to deny Marcondes scoring with his head. Had no chance with the equaliser and beaten by a deflection for the winner.
MILAN VAN EWIJK: 7
Got forward when he could but was required to help out defend and keep tabs on the threat from Sainz with Laibeaudiere. Started and finished the brilliant move for the first half goal when he won the ball in midfield, laid it off to Sheaf and then got into the box to side foot home unmarked to give City a superb 24th minute lead.
JOEL LATIBEAUDIERE: 6.5
Deployed on the right of a back three in a bid to keep Borja Sainz quiet, which he did with varying degrees of success. The lively Norwich forward got the better of him for a 14th minute shot which was well saved by Dovin. Vocal and organising at the back and pinged the occasional decent diagonal pass. Beaten too easily in the build up to the winner, albeit arguably fouled.
BOBBY THOMAS: 6.5
Held the back three together nicely and defended well in the opening half amid plenty of pressure from the home side from both open and set plays. Made a superb lunging block to deny Sainz after the break and helped ride the storm until the late rally when City couldn't hang on.
LIAM KITCHING: 6.5/7
Got his head on an early attacking free-kick to force the keeper to save, albeit off-side, on a day when he returned to the starting line-up on the left of a back three. Aggressive and determined at the back and an overall decent return to the side despite the final scoreline.
JAKE BIDWELL: 6.5
Put in a lovely cross for Van Ewijk’s goal and linked up really well with Rudoni on the left. Defended well in a really entertaining first half. Defended well after the break but inadvertently deflected past Dovin when he attempted to block Forson for Norwich's winner.
BEN SHEAF: 6
Had a hand in the terrific move for City’s opening goal, playing it out to Rudoni who fed Bidwell for the vital cross, and operated really well in the middle of the park. Went off in the second half.
JAMIE ALLEN: 6
Neat, tidy and hard working on a day when City had their work cut out to contain a slick passing and possession heavy Norwich side. Took a heavy touch in the box which resulted in a good chance for the hosts, only for Thomas to make a crucial block.
JACK RUDONI: 6
Played his part in the opening goal and linked up really well with Bidwell on the left. Switched across to the right after the break to help stem the tide of atacks from Sainz and Marcondes.
BRANDON THOMAS-ASANTE: 5.5/6
Worked really hard off the ball and linked the play nicely from a central position up top, causing Norwich problems on the break, albeit not much of a goal threat, particularly in the second 45. Missed a brilliant chance to secure the points in the last ten minutes when he wriggled through but put his shot wide with just the keeper to beat.
NORMAN BASSETTE: 5.5
Ran his socks off chasing and pressing from the front in a lively contribution where he and worked well with Thomas-Asante but never really got a look in on goal.
SUBSTITUTES:
JOSH ECCLES (60 mins, for Sheaf): 5
Picked up an early booking after a professional foul as Dobbin went past him. Offered fresh legs and energy.
ELLIS SIMMS (71 mins, for Bassette): 5
Led the line well and offered a fresh physical threat when he went on with City defending their slender lead and looking to snatch a second.
Subs (not used): Brad Collins (GK); Jay Dasilva, Luis Binks, Victor Torp, Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Raphael Borges Rodrigues, Fabio Tavares.
NORWICH CITY (4-3-3): Angus Gunn; Kellen Fisher, Shame Duffy, Callum Doyle, Ben Chrisene; Marcelino Nunez, Kenny McLean, Emiliano Mercondes; Oscar Schwartau (60 mins, for Lewis Dobbin), Ante Crnac (60 mins, for Onel Hernandez), Borja Sainz.
Subs (not used): George Long (GK), Jack Stacey, Amankwah Forson, Kaide Gordon, Jose Cordoba, Brad Hills, Elliot Myles.
GOALS:
CANARIES: Forson (90+1 and 90+5)
SKY BLUES: Van Ewijk (24)
REFEREE: James Bell.
ATTENDANCE: 26,682 (1,814 away)
NEXT UP: Sheffield Wednesday (h), FA Cup 3rd round, Saturday, January 11 (6pm).
