Gianni Infantino watches Norwich boost play-off bid with win at Millwall

Posted Sunday, March 05, 2023 by PA

Play-off hopefuls Norwich climbed into the top six after ending Millwall’s long unbeaten home league record at The Den with a 3-2 victory.

The hosts took the initiative through Tom Bradshaw, whose clinical one-on-one finish was cancelled out just before the interval as Jacob Sorensen steered the Canaries onto level terms.

Bradshaw’s own goal and Gabriel Sara’s strike secured the win for the visitors in the second half as they picked up their first away triumph in three games.

Gianni Infantino watches Norwich boost play-off bid with win at Millwall — FIFA president Gianni Infantino watched from the director’s box (Steven Paston/PA)

The hosts made for a nervy end as Zian Flemming headed home to apply late pressure but Norwich hung on to condemn Millwall to a first defeat at home since mid-September.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino made a surprise appearance as part of a sold-out capacity crowd.

The Swiss football administrator had attended a conference in London this week.

Gary Rowett’s side started on the front foot hoping to extend an unbeaten streak to five matches and they took the lead in the 20th minute.

Flemming fastened onto a header in the middle of the park that pierced the Canaries’ back line and released Bradshaw through on goal.

The Millwall striker broke onto the loose ball and guided his effort beyond a motionless Angus Gunn.

The Lions nearly doubled their lead moments later as Flemming burst into a pocket of space deep in Norwich territory. The Dutchman freed Oliver Burke who steered just shy of Gunn’s far post.

The Canaries soaked up Millwall’s early pressure and found an equaliser seven minutes before the interval.

A well-worked corner from the right caught the home side flat-footed, allowing Sorensen to turn home the cross into the bottom corner.

David Wagner’s side steered their noses in front early in the second half.

Onel Hernandez prodded a dangerous ball into the box from a short corner that nicked the back of Bradshaw’s calf and turned the ball inadvertently into his own net.

Sara extended the visitors’ lead in the 65th minute. The Brazilian turned on a sixpence in the Lions box and rifled his effort into the net via the underside of the bar – his third goal in five games.

Millwall fought back and Flemming rose to meet a corner from the right as the Dutchman nestled a header low beyond Gunn with seven minutes remaining.

Rowett’s side came agonisingly close to completing the comeback. Bradshaw pummelled a shot from the left on an angle but Norwich were able to scramble the ball to safety.

It is a sixth win in nine league games under Wagner for the Canaries, who had previously lost on 10 of their last 14 league visits to London.