Norwich ring the changes to no avail as Ancelotti’s men steal spoils

Norwich City’s hopes of survival have not yet vanished completely, but they are fading fast. This was another flat performance from the bottom team, with little evidence they have what it takes to mount what would be one of the Premier League’s most memorable escapes.

Norwich were not as feeble as they had been against Southampton last week but, against an Everton side who proved far more solid than spectacular, they once again struggled to threaten in attack.

Everton’s Michael Keane headed in the game’s only goal shortly after half-time, with neither side able to put together a spell of impressive, forward-thinking football. The baking heat may have played its part, but the onus was on Norwich to take the game to the visitors.

Despite their perilous position, manager Daniel Farke dropped his two highest scorers – Teemu Pukki and Todd Cantwell – along with his most creative player, Emi Buendia, after their 3-0 thumping by Southampton. Unfortunately for the BBC viewers watching from home, it did not lead to much excitement. The first half was dreadful, with Everton struggling to create and Norwich only producing a handful of efforts. Carlo Ancelotti, the Everton manager, said. “We did not have the energy we had against Liverpool.”

Onel Hernandez’s shot deflected on to an Everton post and Lukas Rupp tested Jordan Pickford with a powerful strike, but that was it for the opening 45 minutes.

Norwich were undone soon after the break. Lucas Digne’s corner was met by Keane, who glanced the ball inside the far post. “As long as there is a chance, we won’t give up,” said Farke.

Norwich City (4-2-3-1) Krul 6; Aarons 6, Godfrey 6, Klose 6, Lewis 6 (Cantwell 87); Tettey 5 (Vrancic 79), Mclean 6; Rupp 6 (Buendia 71), Duda 5 (Pukki 71), Hernandez 6 (Idah 80); Drmic 4. Subs Mcgovern (g), Leitner, Stiepermann, Trybull.

Everton (4-4-2) Pickford 6; Coleman 6, Keane 7, Holgate 6, Digne 7; Iwobi 6 (Gordon 90), Davies 5 (Sigurdsson h-t), Gomes 6, Bernard 5 (Baines 87); Richarlison 5 (Kean 79), Calvert-lewin 6. Subs Stekelenburg (g), Virginia, Martina, Branthwaite, Baningime. Booked Kean.

Referee Andrew Madley (West Yorkshire).