1 – And breathe…
As the half time whistle blew at Carrow Road, there was a huff of underwhelm that greeted it. Some went further and booed, but the majority just rose and headed for half-time reinforcements.
Given the way the week had unfolded, the widespread expectation was that Norwich were going to fly out of the blocks in an attempt to right the wrongs of that humiliating Plymouth defeat a week earlier. That wasn’t forthcoming.
Without the context of that Devon thrashing, the first half performance would have warranted applause. Norwich were dominant and in control but lacking cutting edge against Birmingham’s mid to low block.
Norwich spent the first half pushing the game up the hill before getting to enjoy the exhilaration of sliding down the other side after the break.
Goals from Gabby Sara and Jon Rowe were expertly crafted and reaffirmed the quality that is present in the playing squad.
It will take more than one victory against an injury-ravaged side to win back the trust of the supporters – but this was just what the doctor ordered.
There was a moment post-match where City’s squad lingered in front of the Barclay, waiting for permission from the support to orchestrate their collective wave that has become a regular sight after victories.
It arrived. Everyone departed with smiles and relief.
2 – Fine margins
When Koji Miyoshi rolled the ball in between Shane Duffy and Jack Stacey, Carrow Road took a large intake of breath.
Jay Stansfield was through and had the chance to tip the game in Birmingham’s favour, turning the atmosphere inside the ground sour in the process.
The Blues’ striker was a cut above anyone in a Birmingham shirt all afternoon. He constantly caused problems and will be disappointed that another of their major opportunities failed to work its way to him.
Stansfield searched for the far bottom corner from an acute angle, but an excellent last-ditch block from Shane Duffy deflected the ball towards keeper Angus Gunn, who made his body big to smother the effort.
It proved a pivotal moment in the game. Just a few moments later Gabriel Sara was celebrating having nodded Dimi Giannoulis’ cross past John Ruddy. Norwich never looked back from that moment.
Stansfield’s chance concluded the brightest spell in the game for Birmingham who created opportunities in spite of City’s control and their struggles in possession. John Eustace was left bemoaning their prolificacy in his post-match media.
After criticism for a wretched display at Plymouth plus an injection in his shoulder that had made him a doubt for this fixture, it was moment that Gunn will have savoured and epitomised why he is one of the best shot-stoppers at this level.
3 – Cultured Greek
Dimi Giannoulis’ Norwich City career has been very up and down – but the Greek full back continues to prove his worth since the start of the campaign.
This was an assured, confident and complete performance from Giannoulis, who offered a constant threat down the left and is both press-resistant and progressive with ball.
His movement throughout provided Norwich with an outlet on the left and he was unfortunate not to open his City account after reading Cody Drameh’s headed back pass excellently.
Norwich secured the possession more successfully which allowed Giannoulis the attacking licence and he was constant in his willingness to offer support to both phases of play.
No Norwich player made more interceptions than Giannoulis and only Jon Rowe and Hwang Ui-jo had more touches in the penalty area than the Greek international.
Talks for a new contract are on hold until later in the campaign, but it will become a pressing issue for Norwich to sort out should this level of performance continue from Giannoulis, who is perfectly suited to the role that Wagner demands from his full backs.
Consistency will be his next target, but his quality is beginning to show. This has been the most fruitful spell of his Norwich career to date.
4 – Unhappy place
Carrow Road is not a happy hunting ground for Birmingham City.
The Blues are without a victory in Norfolk since March 15, 2002, when Stern John’s goal proved decisive in a victory over Nigel Worthington’s men.
Since, Norwich have only lost one league game against the Blues in 2016. A 3-0 defeat at St Andrews’ that saw Alex Neil suffer his first Championship away defeat since becoming Canaries boss.
Only Millwall and Rotherham have waited longer for a Carrow Road victory from the rest of the clubs in the division – with Norwich winning eight of the last 10 meetings against Birmingham in NR1.
In fact, East Anglia isn’t a happy hunting ground for the Blues. They haven’t won south of the border since 2008, meaning they have failed to pick up three points in East Anglia in over a decade.
John Eustace was left to rue squandered opportunities. The best fell to Oliver Burke who failed to connect with a cross from the right in the first half, Jay Stansfield saw an effort saved well by Angus Gunn and Koji Miyoshi hit the bar at 2-0.
Birmingham have now lost their last three away matches for the first time since October 2021 – they won’t be looking forward to a trip to Norwich anytime soon.
5 – Hwang-tastic
Hwang Ui-jo’s start to life at Norwich City has been slow after a Deadline Day loan move from Nottingham Forest.
That is perhaps understandable given he hadn’t played a single minute of competitive football in England prior to his Carrow Road switch.
David Wagner felt Hwang has made strides in his understanding of his role in defensive situations but still required further work on their attacking patterns of play.
He was identified due to his ability to press and suitability to Wagner’s high-octane system. There were finally some glimpses of that on Sunday.
After replacing Przemyslaw Placheta as a substitute on 57 minutes, the South Korean made an instant impact as he used his pace to nick the ball ahead of Krystian Bielik to find Jon Rowe, who went onto emphatically double their advantage.
Hwang was unfortunate not to cap off a fine cameo with a goal after Rowe found him in the 74th minute, but his rising shot flew over the bar.
There was a sign that Wagner’s messaging was getting through after he opted to take the ball to the corner flag having been criticised by his head coach for failing to do so in their victory over Stoke earlier this month.
6 – More hurdles to clear
Norwich are now preparing for two testing away matches ahead of another pause for international action.
A midweek trip to Swansea arrives after consecutive 3-0 victories for Michael Duff’s side after his tough transition to life in South Wales. Play-off finalists Coventry await City next weekend at the CBS Arena.
David Wagner admitted pre-match that he would need to utilise the entirety of his squad before the victory over Birmingham.
The City boss will need to call upon other members of his squad and the likes of Adam Forshaw, Danny Batth and Hwang Ui-jo in the next week. Youngsters Jaden Warner and Tony Springett may also be handed minutes.
Borja Sainz faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of his injury after limping out of City U21s victory over West Brom at Carrow Road on Sunday.
Wagner will need to find solutions whilst ensuring the performance levels continue to increase – it is a delicate balancing act.
It is likely to be a real test of their squad depth and whether they can battle adversity to keep themselves in the play-off picture.
One step is unlikely to earn back the trust of supporters after Plymouth completely, but more positive performances will ensure it remains an unwelcome and distant memory.
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