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The Media Review: Norwich City

The papers reflect on the stalemate at Carrow Road.

By Nick Szczepanik • 17 October 2021

By Paul Hazlewood
The goalless encounter at Norwich saw Albion move up to fourth in the Premier League.

To most reporters for the Sunday papers, Norwich City failing to record their first victory of the season on Saturday appeared to be the story rather than Albion moving up to fourth place in the Premier League. 

But perhaps Seagulls fans should take it as a good sign that seeing Graham Potter’s men in the Champions League places is no longer remarkable enough to rate more than a mention.

Of course, it would be wrong to claim that the goalless draw at Carrow Road was a vintage performance. Duncan Wright of the Sun on Sunday put it more plainly, writing that “Brighton hardly looked a team fighting for a top four spot in an opening half that did little to get the juices flowing for anyone at Carrow Road.

“Even so it was only the sharp reflexes of Tim Krul in the Norwich goal who denied them a comfortable lead by the break.

01:53

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PL Highlights: Norwich 0 Albion 0

“First the big Dutchman got down well to beat away a stinging half-volley from Adam Lallana on 21 minutes as the visitors finally started to threaten,

“And Leandro Trossard was left holding his head in his hands ten minutes before half time when his volley, destined for the back of the net, was tipped onto the top of the crossbar by Krul.

“The half was petering out to nothing when from nowhere the game was summed up by five seconds of abject football.

“Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez contrived to collide with Lewis Dunk ten yards outside the area, gifting Josh Sargent the chance to roll the ball into an empty net.

“But the Norwich striker produced an effort so bad it may not even have had the legs to reach the goalline had Shane Duffy not been able to recover the ground and clear to safety.”

By Paul Hazlewood
Dan Burn gives Shane Duffy a hand after the Irishman cleared Josh Sargent's goalbound effort.

George Sessions of the Press Association, whose report appeared on the Observer website, took up the story, “Immediately after half-time the 21-year-old [Sargent] was involved again, but Dan Burn’s sliding tackle prevented another scoring opportunity.

“Potter had seen enough by this point, with full-back Tariq Lamptey introduced for his first Premier League appearance in 10 months.

“Solly March, another pacey wing-back for the Seagulls, soon joined Lamptey on the pitch, but only after Pukki had poked wide when played through on goal by Max Aarons in the 64th minute.

“Both teams pushed for a late winner, a superb tackle by Burn thwarting Pukki inside the area before Maupay fired over from close range after March’s centre, but the spoils were shared, with Brighton now unbeaten in five league games.”

Kathryn Batte of the Mail on Sunday focused on the non-award of a penalty when former Albion goalkeeper Krul appeared to trip Neal Maupay:

“The Seagulls have only been beaten once this season but have managed just eight goals - the fewest of any side in the top eight. 

02:13

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Potter's Norwich verdict

“They should perhaps have had the opportunity to make that nine, however, when Neal Maupay was brought down by Tim Krul in the box mid-way through the first half.

“The goalkeeper's outstretched leg made contact with the striker's ankle but Peter Bankes opted not to point to the penalty spot. 

“Maupay was incredulous. Norwich claimed he dived. Nothing was given and VAR did not advise the official to review the incident on the pitch-side monitor.

“'If the referee on the pitch doesn't give a penalty it's a tough one for VAR to overrule,' said Potter. 

“'I don't think it was clear and obvious enough to be overruled but I haven't seen it back.'

“Krul could easily have been the villain had that decision gone against Norwich but he was instead the man responsible for keeping his team in the game in the first half. 

“The Dutchman made a fantastic save to touch Leandro Trossard's fierce volley on to the bar in the 34th minute.”

09:07

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Extended PL Highlights: Norwich 0 Albion 0

John Aizlewood, writing in the Sunday Telegraph, found more positives than most. He wrote that “it was scrappy, but it was beguiling in parts too and while neither Norwich City nor Brighton & Hove Albion managed a goal between them, there were chances aplenty and comfort for both teams. 

“Norwich have neither lost nor conceded in two games and their second performance carried the suggestion they may not necessarily be doomed after all. Brighton, meanwhile are six unbeaten and those relegation struggles of recent years already seem sepia-tinted.

“When Pukki stormed through a back-pedalling rearguard yet again, Dan Burn saved the day and the point with a perfectly judged tackle. Indeed, they almost snatched all three late on when Maupay somehow poked Solly March’s cross over the bar from almost under it.”

The BBC website acknowledged Albion’s rise, but with reservations. “Brighton move up the table to fourth, climbing above Manchester United - who lost to Leicester - and Everton, who play West Ham on Sunday. But they were well short of the form that has carried them into the upper reaches of the table before the international break.

“[They] will have to improve with both Manchester City and Liverpool to play before the end of the month but the return of energetic wideman Tariq Lamptey off the bench to make his first Premier League appearance in 10 months following a series of hamstring injuries was one positive to take back to the south coast.”