Onel Hernandez at the double as Norwich edge past Stevenage

Posted Wednesday, August 14, 2024 by PA

Norwich kept their nerve to reach the second round of the Carabao Cup with an thrilling 4-3 victory over plucky Stevenage.

The visitors twice came back to level before the break at Carrow Road but the Championship side took control in the second half to seal a deserved success.

After a low-key start between sides both showing seven changes from the weekend, the tie burst into life with two goals in as many minutes.

Norwich got their noses in front in the 26th minute when Onel Hernandez’s off-target shot hit Abu Kamara, with the young frontman tapping home the loose ball for his first goal for the club.

Charlie Goode quickly headed home a deep free-kick from Harvey White to level only for the Canaries to go ahead again after 35 minutes as Hernandez emphatically swept home Jack Stacey’s inch-perfect low cross from the right.

Stevenage kept battling away, however, and levelled for a second time just before the break, Louis Appere getting the faintest of touches to ensure White’s inswinging corner crossed the line.

Norwich wasted no time going in front for the third time, with Borja Sainz making it 3-2 after 48 minutes.

When the ball ran clear in the box after a slick move through the centre, the Spaniard quickly took charge, skipping past a couple of challenges before finding the net with a cracking drive.

Hernandez gave the hosts some breathing space with his second on the hour mark, firing low past Murphy Cooper after being picked out by new signing Amankwah Forson.

The Canaries needed it in the end, with young defender Brad Hills diverting Lewis Freestone’s driven cross into his own net in the 88th minute.