Timm Klose own goal ends Norwich’s impressive run

Posted Sunday, October 07, 2018 by PA

Norwich’s eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end at Carrow Road when Stoke recorded a fortunate 1-0 win in the Sky Bet Championship.

A game that the hosts dominated for long periods was decided by an own goal in the 35th minute, with defender Timm Klose diverting a low cross past his own goalkeeper on a greasy surface.

The win made it seven points from a possible nine for Stoke, who recorded their first away win of the season.

Norwich looked like a side bursting with confidence in the first half with slick passing, and were desperately unlucky to be behind at the break.

They got their first clear sight of goal after nine minutes when young Todd Cantwell cut the ball back to Marco Stiepermann in a good position but the German sent his effort just over.

Jack Butland then had to be alert to tip over a rising drive from Jamal Lewis before the left-back sent in a dangerous low cross that no-one could get on the end of.

Stoke were struggling to cope but gradually got a foothold in the game and finally made Norwich keeper Tim Krul work in the 23rd minute, with Tom Ince forcing him into a regulation save from just outside the box.

Another slick attack down the left led to the Potters taking the lead against the run of play 10 minutes before the break – although there was a huge slice of luck about the goal.

Cuco Martina put in an excellent cross after an overlap involving Ince but it was a Norwich foot that put it in, with Klose diverting the ball into his own net as he slid in to intercept.

Norwich continued to look the better side after the break, although clear-cut chances were in short supply.

The first real alarm for the visitors came just after the hour mark when Alex Tettey got his head on an Emi Buendia corner but could not get enough on it to trouble Butland.

Stiepermann then stung Butland’s palms with a rasping 20-yard drive as the home momentum continued to build, with Stoke firmly on the back foot but defending well.

Teemu Pukki was next to try his luck, sending a long-range effort straight at Butland, while at the other end a rare break from the visitors ended with Ince curling a shot just wide.

Joe Allen also skied a decent chance just over but the bulk of the play was down the other end.

Substitute Mario Vrancic sent a free-kick from the right hand edge of the box just wide while there were optimistic appeals for a penalty as the same player went down in the area in the final minute.

A final flurry saw Moritz Leitner fire a snapshot narrowly wide from just outside the area but the visitors held on.