Bullet-proof Gunn stands up to a salvo from Potters
STOKE NORWICH
FRUSTRATED Stoke boss Alex Neil couldn’t fathom how his side failed to finish off promotion-chasers Norwich.
But the Scot admitted Canaries keeper Angus Gunn deserved plenty of credit for thwarting his dominant side.
Gunn produced a string of fine saves to frustrate the Potters, who made it four games unbeaten in the league.
“I thought we were excellent and on another day we should score and win the game,” said Neil (below). “But you’ve got to give their goalkeeper credit. I thought he pulled off some really good saves.
“We didn’t lack for good opportunities but we just didn’t finish them off. It was a very good performance and we limited them to very little.
“The lads are really disappointed but they should be really pleased with what they’ve served up. The team gives everything and leaves everything on the pitch. We’re heading in the right direction.”
American Josh Sargent wasted a great chance to fire the Canaries ahead after only six minutes but rival forward Jacob Brown had an even more frustrating afternoon.
He had a point-blank header saved by Gunn and a number of other good chances as the keeper had a game to savour against his former loan club.
Axel Tuanzebe headed wide from Will Smallbone’s cross just after the hour mark and midfielder Ben Pearson thought he’d scored with a 71st-minute thunderbolt from distance which flew into the side-netting.
Brown had a decent to chance to win it at the death for the hosts but headed across the face of goal.
The Canaries clung on for a battling point and boss David Wagner said: “I’m very pleased with the performance, especially the fighting spirit and togetherness we showed.
“We had to stick together after a really tough week.” STOKE: Bonham 6; Tuanzebe 6, Wilmot 6, Fox 6; Hoever 6 (Baker (76) 6), Pearson 7, Laurent 8 (Tymon (89) 6), Sterling 6; Smallbone 7; Brown 7, Campbell 6 NORWICH: Gunn 9; Aarons 6, Hanley 6, Gibson 6, Giannoulis 6 (Mccallum (81) 6); Sorensen 6 (Omobamidele (45) 6), Mclean 6, Tzolis 6 (Marquinhos (69) 5), Gomas Sara 6, Sargent 6; Pukki 6 (Nunez (77) 6) STAR MAN: Angus Gunn – The Norwich shot-stopper pulled off a string of fine saves to thwart the Potters. REF: David Webb 6