Andy Turner’s Coventry City player ratings v Norwich City: Ten man Sky Blues rue glorious chance

Coventry City player ratings from CoventryLive as Sky Blues reporter Andy Turner hands out the marks for Mark Robins’ men

Ten man Coventry City gave up a goal lead against Norwich City to slip out of the Championship play-off places as their unbeaten run came to an end.

Haji Wright went closest for the Sky Blues in an entertaining first half at Carrow Road, the USA striker testing Angus Gunn at his near post in a 45 minutes when Norwich created more chances and looked a threat.

But Coventry got to half-time all square and then took an early lead in the second half when Callum O’Hare beat two men in the box and hit a clinical finish into the bottom corner. Wright went close shortly after, only to be denied by a good save from Angus Gunn as Coventry enjoyed their best spell of the game.

The Canaries, however, got back on level terms on the hour when a deflected shot fell to Josh Sargent in the box and the striker hooked home to make it 1-1. City were then reduced to ten men when Liam Kitching was shown a straight red card for a last man tackle on Sargent who was running clean through.

Substitute Kasey Palmer played a brilliant one/two/three pass with O’Hare and Allen and should have scored with all the goal to aim at, only to hit it, frustratingly, straight at the keeper instead of either side of him to restore the lead.

But minutes later City were made to rue the missed opportunity when Borja Sainz gave the hosts the lead from the edge of the box to secure the full three points for the hosts.

STARTING FORMATION: 4-2-3-1

BRAD COLLINS: 6.5

Made a decent save in only the third minute when Fassnacht hit one from just outside the box. Had very little chance for the first goal that was hit with power from close range and well beaten with a precise finish for the second.

MILAN VAN EWIJK: 6

Forced to stay deep for long periods as City soaked up plenty of first half pressure. Not at his best.

BOBBY THOMAS: 7

Defended a well, heading clear a couple of early corners as Norwich enjoyed some set-piece pressure. Excellent throughout.

LIAM KITCHING: 5.5/6

Timed his tackles well and alert to danger, sliding in to clear on numerous occasions in the first half. Was playing really well but got himself sent off with a last man tackle on Sargent as the striker ran through. Straight red card.

JAKE BIDWELL: 6

Sent in a couple of early crossed to the box as City looked to get to the attack early. Defended well, particularly in the 33rd minute when he headed clear from another Norwich corner. Defended well throughout before making way for fresh legs.

JAMIE ALLEN: 6

Allowed Sainz far too much time on the ball in the midfield battleground where Ciy desperately missed Ben Sheaf’s presence. Worked tirelessly on a day when he had the captain’s armband.

VICTOR TORP: 6.5

Made his first Championship start and slid in to win a lovely tackle on one occasion to deny a Norwich attack. Sent in some decent set-piece deliveries and went close with an effort that dipped over the bar. Played the ball into O’Hare for his goal.

TATSUHIRO SAKAMOTO: 6

Took time to get into the game and then on the end of a cynical challenge by Nunez, who goes into the book. Took another knock shortly after which left him limping for a while. Taken out again just before half-time by McLean, who is also booked. More effective after the break.

CALLUM O’HARE: 8

Lively and threatening in and around the box as he put in his usual high octane display in the final third. Beat two men before hitting a brilliant finish into the bottom corner to give City the second half lead.

HAJI WRIGHT: 7

Exciting and positive in and around the box but guilty of a sloppy early pass that sparked a worrying counter attack from the hosts. Cut in and forced the keeper to save at his near post and later beat two men in the box and forced Gunn into a brilliant stop with an out-stretched boot.

ELLIS SIMMS: 5.5

Fairly anonymous in the opening 20 minutes as Norwich enjoyed more than their fair share of possession but grew into the game, getting into decent positions in the box and looking for service. Worked hard and put hismelf about but didn’t get a single chance.

SUBSTITUTES:

JOSH ECCLES (69 mins, for Torp): 5.5

Slotted into the midfield for the tiring Torp.

JAY DASILVA (69 mins, for Bidwell): 5.5

Added fresh legs and attacking impetus as City pushed for a winner.

KASEY PALMER (75 mins, for Simms): 5.5

Played a brilliant one/two with Allen and should have scored with all the goal to aim at. Hit it too close to the keeper. That was the clearest chance of the game!

LUIS BINKS (75 mins, for Sakamoto): 5

Slotted into the back four for the red carded Kitching. Could have got closer to Sainz for the second goal.

Subs (not used): Ben Wilson (GK), Joel Latibeaudiere, Liam Kelly, Maty Godden, Fabio Tavares.

NORWICH CITY (4-2-3-1): Angus Gunn; Jack Stacey, Shane Duffy, Ben Gibson, Dimitris Giannoulis; Marcelino Nunez, Kenny McLean; Christian Fassnacht, Gabriel Sara, Borja Sainz; Josh Sargent.

Subs (not used): George Long (GK), Grant Hanley, Liam Gibbs, Ashley Barnes, Sydney van Hooijdonk, Sam McCallum, Jacob Sorensen, Onel Hernandez, Kellen Fisher.

GOALS:

CANARIES: Sargent (60), Sainz (84)

SKY BLUES: O’Hare (48)

REFEREE: Gavin Ward

ATTENDANCE: 26,306 (1,870 City)

NEXT UP: Sheffield Wednesday (h), FA Cup fourth round replay, Tues, February 6 (7.45pm).