• Angus Gunn 7
Wagner labelled him the best in the division after a superb near post smothering save from Jay Stansfield with the game in the balance. Helped in truth by a tremendous full length diving tackle from Shane Duffy that diverted the flight of the shot at Gunn.
Exposed in stoppage time when Jordan James wastefully planted a free header over from inside his six yard box. First half work was sporadic. Out sharply to halt a Oliver Burke counter.
Then pouched Koji Miyoshi’s cross heading to Dion Sanderson at the back post. Slice of good fortune when Miyoshi’s later rising hit thudded against his bar.
• Jack Stacey 7
Tackling not his strongest suit, on the evidence of his early Norwich career. But a crucial sliding intervention on Siriki Dembele forced the turnover that led to Jon Rowe’s match-sealing goal. Also another key block from James in the 82nd minute.
Did get squared up for the big Stansfield opening. At the other end a heavy first touch saw him spurn the opportunity to test John Ruddy from Gabby Sara’s sublime pass to Rowe.
Linked with Christian Fassnacht to recycle Przemyslaw Placheta’s cross against the bar for a big first half headed chance for Adam Idah. Overlapping run from Sara, and a cross with no takers.
• Shane Duffy 7
Big response needed after a turbulent shift at Plymouth. The full-stretch deflection on the Stansfield shot saved by Gunn was a a piece of top drawer anticipation and athleticism. Inadvertent flick off his back from a Sara corner took a headed chance away from Placheta.
Backed into his own box by Dembele in the 72nd minute but perfectly timed his tackle. Bailed out Adam Forshaw in the 85th minute when he sliced a clearance behind after the substitute had lost possession on the edge of his own area.
• Ben Gibson 7
Composed again. Only dragged out once into midfield with damaging consequences when he was turned by Scott Hogan and forced to concede a free kick. Towering header beat Burke in the air from Ruddy’s goal kick. Cut out a dangerous near post cross from the same player in Birmingham’s brightest first half spell.
Found himself outnumbered in stoppage time when he lost a header to Gary Gardner, but James headed over.
• Dimi Giannoulis 8
Front-foot attacking display from the Greek international. Capped by the overlapping run to accept a short pass from Placheta and curl an outswinger Sara powerfully headed past Ruddy. Halted Miyoshi after Norwich had been caught out on their own attacking corner.
Involved in a flowing double-figure passing move in the 11th minute that ended with Placheta’s low cross cut out. Read Sanderson’s intended header back to Ruddy, from Kenny McLean’s raking diagonal, but hooked a first time lob over the keeper and just wide of the near post.
Controlled Sara’s range finder on his chest in the 33rd minute but skied over on the volley.
• Kenny McLean © 7
Circumspect, in terms of his attacking urges, to offer more protection to the Norwich backline than the previous weekend. Right place to cut out a probing cross from Emmanuel Longelo. Vertical pop pass to Rowe who fed Idah to pull the trigger from 20 yards.
Then the pinpoint slot for Giannoulis to hook just wide. One or two key moments in his own half in the final stages.
• Gabby Sara 9
Unstoppable close range header, after timing his run to smash home Giannoulis’ cross sealed a command performance. Shot blocked by Krystian Bielik in the 12th minute. Majestic pass with the outside of his left boot for Rowe to shovel onto Stacey, who was unable to take it in his stride.
Whipped in a long pass for Giannoulis to hammer over on the volley. Glided past his marker with a body swerve and rolled in Fassnacht, who tamely lobbed at Ruddy. Dropped a corner to the near post Duffy diverted just over Placheta.
Evaded detection in the Birmingham penalty area in the 55th minute to break the deadlock when he attacked Giannoulis’ cross.
• Christian Fassnacht 6
Heavy touch in trying to release Idah saw Ruddy collect. Much more precise in the 30th minute when he picked out the Irishman’s run, who glanced a near post header at the former City keeper.
In between showed for a Gunn clearance, but sliced his pass for Placheta. Then an important hook away from Stansfield inside his own area. Weak shot at Ruddy after he was found by Sara.
• Jon Rowe 7
Excellent individual finish after Jack Stacey’s initial tackle, and Hwang Ui-Jo’s awareness, had presented the opportunity to drive forward, pull out the ‘Ronaldo’ step over and drill a low, left-footed shot past Ruddy from 16 yards.
Interestingly deployed in a more central role closer to Idah. Looked in the mood early when he turned and headed for goal, after linking with Sara, but Birmingham got numbers back. Collected McLean’s ball and produced an early release for Idah to let fly.
Cushioned Sara’s pass into Stacey. Still going strong in the 74th minute when he committed defenders and released Hwang, who skied his shot.
• Przemyslaw Placheta 6
Big show of faith from his head coach for a first league start of the season. Got better as the game elapsed in his near 60 minute outing. Started the move that brought Sara’s goal. Was on the end of a flowing team move in the 11th minute but his cross was blocked.
Clipped another centre against the bar before Idah headed at Ruddy. Bright in the opening moments of the second period with a cross that sparked a bout of pinball.
Loose pass in his own half allowed Miyoshi to roll the ball inside Stacey but Gunn thwarted him.
• Adam Idah 7
Looked sharp in the first half despite Norwich failing to convert their dominance of territory and possession. Ruddy looked beaten by the force of his right-footed shot in the 16th minute. Then got across his marker to glance Fassnacht’s cross at Ruddy. Less clear-cut action in the second half.
Subs
• Onel Hernandez (for Fassnacht, 57) 5
Heavy touch on an intended pass for Sara after being released by Forshaw.
• Hwang Ui-Jo (for Placheta, 57) 6
Good awareness to ride a challenge and back heel for Rowe to do the rest. Rowe returned the favour in the 74th minute but went for a rising shot that cleared the bar. Used his nous to run the clock down and head for the corner flag.
• Adam Forshaw (for Idah, 67) 5
Turned over carelessly outside his own box but Duffy’s positioning bailed him out. Released Hernandez for a promising counter but the Cuban put too much on his pass for Sara.
• Borja Sainz (for Rowe, 90+2) n/a
• Danny Batth (for Sara, 90+2) n/a
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