Maddison on the spot to earn Norwich a draw at Derby

Posted Sunday, February 11, 2018 by PA

James Maddison kept his nerve with a coolly taken second half penalty to earn Norwich a 1-1 draw against promotion-chasing Derby in a controversial game at Pride Park.

The midfielder converted the second spot-kick of the afternoon after Scott Carson had saved Nelson Oliveira’s first half penalty following the goalkeeper’s foul on Maddison.

The home side had gone ahead through Matej Vydra’s 17th league goal of the season – but the Canaries fought back and were good value for a draw that could see Derby overtaken in second place by Aston Villa tomorrow.

Derby had not conceded a goal in their previous four league games but they came close to going behind in the ninth minute following a mistake by Curtis Davies.

The centre-back was muscled off the ball by Oliveira, who took the ball into the area and shot low from 15 yards but Scott Carson it behind for a corner.

Oliveira should have done better and Vydra showed how to finish three minutes later when Norwich were punished for giving the ball away cheaply near the left touchline.

Ikechi Anya ran forward before slipping the ball inside to Vydra, who span away from a defender before firing into the bottom right corner from 15 yards.

That was the first goal Norwich had conceded in five away league matches and their former striker Cameron Jerome almost set up a second with a ball that flashed across the face of the six-yard box.

But Norwich had a great chance to draw level when Maddison got through on the right and was caught by Carson after he clipped the ball towards goal.

After consulting with a linesman, Jeremy Simpson awarded a penalty after booking the goalkeeper – but Oliveira’s kick lacked power and accuracy and Carson saved low to his right.

Norwich had another strong claim for a penalty rejected just before half-time and Oliveira shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box at the start of the second half.

Davies went close with a header but Carson had to make another save in the 67th minute when Harrison Reed cut the ball back from the right and Oliveira’s low shot was blocked.

The visitors won another penalty in the 72nd minute when Oliveira was caught by Tom Huddlestone – and this time Maddison sent Carson to his right before rolling the ball into the left corner.

Oliveira had another chance when he powered through on the right but chose to shoot from a narrow angle instead of picking out a yellow shirt and Carson saved at his near post.