Brighton ease fears to push Norwich close to drop

July 4, 2020 0 Comments

Brighton strengthened their Premier League survival hopes while seriously denting Norwich’s as they earned a narrow 1-0 win at Carrow Road.

Brighton scored their opener on the counter as Norwich got caught high up the pitch, Leandro Trossard deftly sweeping into the bottom-left corner from Aaron Mooy’s right-wing cross (25).

Norwich had plenty of the ball but no bite throughout, and Brighton nearly grabbed a second as Dan Burn’s touch on a Mooy free kick glanced inches wide, before Norwich sub Adam Idah hit the post with a glancing header in stoppage time.

The result means Norwich are still seven points from safety, but having played a game more than the majority of their rivals, while Brighton are now nine clear of the drop zone after earning seven points from four games since the restart.

How naïve Norwich were beaten again

It was a case of now or never for Norwich, who had lost their last five in all competitions, and their overplaying in midfield was pounced on by Brighton several times early on, and the Seagulls took the lead midway through a rather stale first half.

Winning the ball in midfield, Neal Maupay fed Mooy wide right, and his centre was wonderfully swept home by Trossard from eight yards, having gambled at the near post.

Norwich did have first-half opportunities, but two of Onel Hernandez’s efforts were blocked superbly by Lewis Dunk and Tariq Lamptey in the box.

Brighton came within inches of a second just after the break as Mooy’s dangerous free-kick cross hit Burn on the back, only for the ball to land just wide of the far post.

Norwich looked to force the ascendency with a triple change as Todd Cantwell, Teemu Pukki and Adam Idah were introduced, and Idah came mighty close in stoppage time, as his header from Kenny McLean’s cross hit the post.

Despite being easy on the eye, the Canaries once again struggled in the final third as they face the prospect of a record fifth Premier League relegation, while Brighton’s improved solidity in defence looks to have earned them a fourth straight season in the Premier League.

Opta stats

Norwich have failed to score in three consecutive home Premier League games for the first time ever.
Norwich have lost each of their last six games in all competitions, the worst run suffered by Daniel Farke in his managerial career.
Brighton enjoyed their first win in their last nine away Premier League games (D5 L3).
Norwich have failed to score in 16 Premier League games this season, more than any other side.