SARGENT MAJOR
USA ace Josh sets Wagner’s men on way to victory in race for play-offs
NORWICH boss David Wagner said he was “over the moon” after his side kept themselves in the Championship play-off race by beating West Brom.
Josh Sargent netted the first goal in the 13th minute by running on to captain Kenny Mclean’s through-pass as the Canaries rose to eighth.
Jonathan Rowe made it two deep into the second half as he finished off a team move by converting Dimitris Giannoulis’ cross.
“Considering we played on Wednesday in a difficult cup tie, it was a great performance,” said Wagner. “The second goal especially was a top goal.
“We have spoken about improving our defensive record, and I think the players have executed that well today, with a good step in the right direction.”
The Baggies saw Brandon Thomas-asante’s goal ruled out for handball in first-half injury time, but were unable to get on the scoresheet.
Thomas-asante and Darnell Furlong both saw headers saved by Angus Gunn despite being in good positions, while Daryl Dike shot over from close range. John Swift also fired wide early in the second half after being teed up by captain Jed Wallace, with Carlos Corberan’s side unable to convert their chances. “We have to go away and process this painful defeat,” said Corberan. “The feeling I had is that we did enough things to achieve something else.” “There is a frustration and disappointment because we couldn’t achieve what we wanted to. We knew the quality of the opponent and that it would be difficult to achieve something in this stadium.”
The impressive Rowe had forced Alex Palmer into two good saves within a minute in the first half, before Gabriel Sara put a free-kick just over.
Sargent almost netted his second, but a brave block from Darnell Furlong saw the striker denied from the edge of the box.
Rowe also stung the Albion goalkeeper’s palms with a rasping drive shortly after netting the second goal.
“Our last ten games have been much better than the ten games before – we are in a good place now, and we keep pushing,” said Wagner.
“Josh Sargent is a very intelligent player, and he still needs to work on his match fitness, but he is one of the guys who we are very happy is back. Rowe also performed on a very good level, so there are a lot of good things from today.” NORWICH: Gunn 7, Stacey 6, Gibson 6, Sainz 7 (Fassnacht (64) 6), Sargent 7 (Nunez (64) 6), Barnes 6 (Idah (80) 6), Sara 7, Mclean 7, Duffy 6, Rowe 8 (Hernandez (90) 6), Giannoulis 7 (Mccallum (90) 6) WEST BROM: Palmer 6, Furlong 6 (Pipa (83) 6), Townsend 7, Kipre 6, Bartley 6 (Taylor (83) 6), Wallace 6, Swift 7, Reach 6 (Weimann (45) 6), Thomas-asante 6 (Dike (69) 6), Mowatt 6, Yokuslu 6 (Chalobah (36) 6) STAR MAN: Jonathan Rowe – Popped up with the vital second goal along with forcing three good saves. REF: Sunny Singh Gill 7